While sorting through my week’s worth of Internet feeds, I came across a quick link to Packard Motor Car corporation. Confession: I only like cars post-’64, with a handful of exceptions. Packards are NOT on that list of exceptions. I find them huge and ungainly. My first find is that Packard is now five people, all of whom either have strong business background and/or strong automotive backgrounds. A little digging and I came upon this:
For those who succeeded in forgetting this gem, it’s the 1999 Packard Twelve concept car. It runs and drives, and is owned by someone who lives somewhere around the Scottsdale, Arizona area. “New” it is not. However, if you can get over that melted Bentley appearance, the platform itself is very interesting.
For starters, it’s a legit 525ci V-12 in this car. And when I say legit, I mean built by Falconer Engines. Falconer makes bad-ass racing engines look like works of art, and that wasn’t missed here. The engine is rated for 573hp and 593 ft/lbs…very good numbers for 1999, still pretty strong today. Backing that is a GM 4L80E automatic and a Borg-Warner transfer case, making this luxo-barge full-time AWD. With 2.59 gearing, the car was expected to hit 60mph in 4.8 seconds and post a 12.5 quarter mile. I think that’s a bit optimistic…ok, really optimistic given the car’s size.
The interior is finished, and is a 2+2 layout. Leather and GM controls are everywhere.
So why did I dredge this car up? Originally, it was to poke fun at a zombie car company…one that’s been dead for many years that suddenly returns to life. Instead, the basic layout of the car is very appealing. AWD, 500+hp, fully independent suspension all around. Add the magneto-rehological dampers from the Corvette at all ends, shrink the length a little bit, deepen the gears and you’d end up with an autocross terror. Or keep the length, get rid of the body (please!) and try to build a pillarless hardtop sedan, like a ’71 Imperial. This thing could have some serious class, if beauty didn’t require the eye of the beer holder.
Reminds me of the 6000 SUX from the first robocop movie………
Did people actually congratulate themselves for creating this design? Maybe they could do something with a certain wrecked IROC Camaro.
I ran across that link a few months ago. Just like the old Packards, I’m not impressed.
I can really appreciate the bespoke nature of this car.. But it seriously looks like the designers were given a 90’s Buick body and told “You can do anything you want…but you have to use this…”
Eeeesh ! Sure the mechanicals may be worthy of BS consideration …. but oh that hideous body !! Kind of like a stretched out Lincoln that had been beaten silly with an Ugly Stick !
Seriously … old Packards aren’t exactly things of beauty [ though some are pretty decent ] … but this abomination is FUGLY personified
Conclusion ? Definitely Bulls**t …. not BangShift …. Eeesh .. its gonna take all day to wipe this one outta my mind ….. ugh … 😉
Was only pointing out the drivetrain. That body is comically bad.
I remember seeing this in Car and Driver when it was first shown. It’s design was hated back then, and it doesn’t look like it has aged for the better.
The guy with the “strong business background” must have been the lead designer.
Don’t forget that 1999 was also the year of the Ford Taurus. The “bubble” look was, evidently quite popular with designers during the latter half of the decade.
Packard went broke in the 50s.Bought up by Studebaker that didn’t make it much past the 60’s They went to Canada for a bit,but did not make it there ether.Both are dinosaur company’s.Leave them extinct.
Bangshift and it’s members need to brush up on their history. Packard made some of the best looking and baddest cars during their prime.
Here is one prime example:
http://files.conceptcarz.com/img/Packard/32-Packard-8-DeLuxe-904-Dietrich-DV-09_PBC_dt002.jpg
Look at this beauty. Right their with the Duesenbergs.
http://www.velocityjournal.com/images/full/2009/449/pk1933twelvemodel1006die44929958.jpg
It has all of the qualities that made Packard an extinct make: Ugliness, overpriced boat.