55PackardGuy Posted February 2, 2005 Share Posted February 2, 2005 I found this site had several fascinating articles, both from old magazines and newer collector publications. Many compare Packards with other luxury makes of the day. Some are model introduction articles from major publications of the period. Three of them kept me reading until the wee hours last night.http://www.imperialclub.com/Articles/56Luxury/index.htmhttp://www.imperialclub.com/Articles/55Luxocar/index.htmhttp://www.imperialclub.com/Articles/56AutoAge/index.htmMaybe they will be familiar to some of you. They all give an option to download and copy the files... many in color.Enjoy! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WCraigH Posted February 3, 2005 Share Posted February 3, 2005 55PackardGuy, thanks for posting these!BTW, The AutoAge article near the end claims "...and Packard takes the door locking situation one step further with their optional push-button door fastener, operated by the driver." There's a picture on this page:Auto Age, page 5 Anybody ever actually seen one of these? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Randy Berger Posted February 3, 2005 Share Posted February 3, 2005 Craig, I have seen this option on Patricians and I know of one Caribbean that has it installed (just to be different). This only locks the doors, does not unlock them. A good idea but wonder whythey didn't add the extra solenoid to unlock the doors?? <img src="http://www.aaca.org/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/confused.gif" alt="" />YFAM, Randy Berger Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
55PackardGuy Posted February 3, 2005 Author Share Posted February 3, 2005 Glad you enjoyed these. It looks like there are more on the site that would be worth looking at besides the ones I posted--including Popular Mechanics and Time magazine!There were some disappointments for me in the Auto Age comparison, where they didn't even mention automatic leveling as either a luxury or safety feature. Maybe it worked so smooth they didn't notice it! (Then they went on and on about the Caddy's remote trunk release.) They also didn't seem very impressed with the TL suspenion and particularly body roll. Perhaps they didn't notice they were cornering the Packard at twice the speed of the other cars! Finally, they omitted any mention of the control of dive on braking and squat on acceleration. Tch.It's fun to note how the reviewers in different articles come to completely different conclusions about subjective things like "smoothness" and "noise," too.BTW I found these articles whilst googling on Packard Fuel Injection in hopes of finding the pic that Brian has mentioned seeing. I KNOW I saw that somewhere, but darned if I can remember where. It was an actual photo of a Packard V8 on a test bench and the engine had lots of tubing coming out of it. If it was re-touched, they sure didn't make an attempt get it looking more "finished." <img src="http://www.aaca.org/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/tongue.gif" alt="" /> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
joe kastellic Posted February 5, 2005 Share Posted February 5, 2005 They mention the fact about ride and handling, how much does diffrence is there between the SR. and JR. cars thanks Joe Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
55PackardGuy Posted February 5, 2005 Author Share Posted February 5, 2005 Cool rare literature, Brian.Thought I'd post a direct link to the Popular Mechanics article that gives a real nice overview of '56s with comparative specs. I found it interesting that the '56 Studebaker Golden Hawk with Packard V8 was second in performance that year only to the Corvette. I'd like to drive one of those Packard powered Golden Hawks some day.Also included is a link to the entire page of articles, including many other years. I like how the Imperial buffs have made this site interesting for lots of marques, and it's all down-loadable!Popular Mechanics February '56:http://www.imperialclub.com/Articles/56Parade/index.htmAriticle index:http://www.imperialclub.com/Articles/index.htm Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
55PackardGuy Posted February 6, 2005 Author Share Posted February 6, 2005 There's something about seeing the cars in print, especially in vintage articles, that's very exciting to me. I guess it reminds me of how I would've felt if I'd come across these articles as a youngster. Sightings of actual '55 and '56 Packards were always a thrill, but seeing an ad or even a photograph in an unrelated article would give me a special kind of jazz. "There's 'our' car!" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
joe kastellic Posted February 6, 2005 Share Posted February 6, 2005 I have driven a 56 hawk and I still say that is is the "first muscle car" I was enticed by the torque of the packard V8, a great blast off car!!! if I ever buy another Hawk it will a 56 !!! BTW how does your IROC camaro run? take care Joe Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
55PackardGuy Posted February 7, 2005 Author Share Posted February 7, 2005 Joe,Let me know if you track down a '56 Golden Hawk. I'd travel many miles to actually drive one. It'd make a fun road trip. The Camaro does extremely well. Much as I want to be "practical" and sell it, ($6850 if anyone's interested) it turns out to be a real keeper--my fair-weather daily driver. The 350 TPI is very strong in such a light car, and posi prevents the dreaded one-wheel-squeal. The car originally had "highway" 2.88 gearing, but I switched to a 3.42 which is much more around-town stoplight friendly. <img src="http://www.aaca.org/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/cool.gif" alt="" /> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Twitch Posted February 7, 2005 Share Posted February 7, 2005 I've got bushels of old car mags in the room behind my garage back to I guess about 1948, I dunno. I got to dig them out and escape to days of yesteryear once more. Did it about 10 years ago and had amazing fun reading the road tests from the 50s. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
55PackardGuy Posted February 8, 2005 Author Share Posted February 8, 2005 Twitch,Be sure to tell someone where you are so they'll come and get you out before you starve to death. Sounds like you have the same attention span I do for old car articles--infinite. <img src="http://www.aaca.org/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Twitch Posted February 8, 2005 Share Posted February 8, 2005 <img src="http://www.aaca.org/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />Hahahaha! Yeah I'll have to leave a trail of bread crumbs. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
55PackardGuy Posted February 9, 2005 Author Share Posted February 9, 2005 But the squirrels will eat 'em!Seriously, if you noticed on the "Lost 57-58 Torsion Level" thread, folks are VERY interested in whether you find a March 1958 Motor Trend in your stash. So, write that info on your hand before you disappear, then, if you find it, post scans of the T-L suspension pics over on that thread.It always helps to have a "purpose" when going in to do something completely random. (Also known as an "excuse.") "Honey, I have to go through my old car magazines, all the fellas are counting on me." <img src="http://www.aaca.org/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
55PackardGuy Posted February 13, 2005 Author Share Posted February 13, 2005 I guess you can come in from the cold now, Twitch. Craig found the article and posted it on his Packard Panther web site. But you probably already saw that on the "Lost 57-58 Torsion Level" thread. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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