Misplaced Pages

#597402

29-402: The domestic "Big Three" automakers were developing "quasi-custom" models. Marketers at the time described them as a "sports car, which usually meant anything with a convertible top, lots of performance, a few unique styling touches, and top-of-the-line price tag. The image of Packard automobiles during the early 1950s was "perceived as stodgy and old-fashioned." Packard needed a "halo car to cast

58-461: A carmaker at the time, this sort of car was a very unlikely project for Packard. With styling by Henney, it was based on the 1951 Series 250 convertible, and ready in time for the 1952 New York International Motor Sports Show . Sectioned and channelled , in a fashion reminiscent of the 1953 Skylark , and wearing the trademark Packard grille, it "was elegantly trimmed throughout". Packard spent US$ 10,000 ($ 114,737 in 2023 dollars ) building

87-406: A chrome band that outlined the bottom of the car's entire length. The band also helped further delineate the car's wheel openings, and the door handle was concealed and aligned with the chrome beltline surrounding the side windows, the bottom of the windshield, and the rear window. A steel continental spare tire was also standard. The hood featured a broad, low leaded-in hood scoop . Bodies for

116-516: A great deal more than whether the design features actually serve any function." As one of the main visual components on the front of vehicles, "an inspired grille design makes a car attractive and shapes its identity by tying it to the carmaker's history and reputation." Currently, big grilles are primarily cosmetic. The grille is often a distinctive styling element, and many marques use it as their primary brand identifier. For example, Jeep has trademarked its seven-bar grille style. Rolls-Royce

145-491: A hardtop model was added. Trim styling differences between the 1955 and 1956 cars were minimal, with new tri-tone exterior color combinations the most visible differentiation. The Grille textures changed to match those used on concurrent Patricians. The rear treatment, featuring Packard's cathedral-style taillights was continued. The headlights also received slightly more exaggerated brows. Unique new interiors featured reversible seat cushions with cloth on one side and leather on

174-561: A modern glow on the marque." The company prepared a concept car, the Packard Pan-American , earning positive reception at auto shows during 1952. The Caribbean was introduced for the 1953 model year as "Packard's sportiest car ... based on the standard Cavalier convertible, with custom touches transforming it into a line-topping stunner." The 1953 Caribbean was perhaps Packard's most easily identified car because of its full cutout rear wheel housing and side trim, limited to

203-589: A simple way of making the car look new from year to year, for this make did not have a standard grille form. Sometimes there is a sort of fashion trend in grille bars. For example, in the early years after World War II , many American car makers generally switched to fewer and thicker grille bars. A billet grille is an aftermarket part that is used to enhance the style or function of the original OEM grille. They are generally made from billet , solid bar stock aircraft-grade aluminum, although some are CNC machined from one solid sheet of aluminum. Active Air Flap System

232-585: A traditional combustion engine. Still, customer expectations of grilles dominating the front of cars have proven strong enough that companies like Nissan have reincorporated cosmetic grilles into their EV designs in response to mixed consumer reception of early grilleless models. Designs that fully do away with any visual reference to traditional front grilles have tended to come from new auto makers that exclusively produce EVs, such as Tesla, Inc. or Rivian , as these companies do not have an established historical brand language of grilles. Per mounting location on

261-478: Is known as a cheesegrater . Ford 's three-bar grille, introduced on the 2006 Fusion , has become distinctive as well. Porsche, a long-time manufacturer of air-cooled cars, continues to minimize the prominence of a "grille" on the marque's modern water-cooled vehicles in keeping with that heritage. The contrary styling pattern also occurs. Starting from the late 1930s, Cadillac would alternate its pattern from horizontal bars to various patterns of crosshatching as

290-710: Is known for arranging its grille bars by hand to ensure that they appear perfectly vertical. Other makers known for their grille styling include Bugatti 's horse-collar, BMW 's split kidney, Rover 's chrome "teeth", Mitsubishi 's forward swept, fighter aircraft-style grilles for their cars 2008 Lancer and Lancer Evo X , Dodge 's cross bar, Alfa Romeo 's six-bar shield, Volvo 's slash bar, Nissan 's trapezoid shaped chrome surround, Mazda 's rotary engine shape, Audi 's relatively new, so-called single-frame grille, Pontiac 's split horizontal grille and an egg-crate grille on late-generation Plymouths , and Lexus 's spindle-shaped grille. The unusual 1971 Plymouth Barracuda grille

319-661: The Patrician and the Pacific coupe, the Caribbean also gained heavier "finned" headlight housings, one of the visual cues applied to help differentiate the senior Packards from the lower-priced models. The 359-cubic-inch (5,880 cc) senior engine was used in this final incarnation of Packard's flat-head straight-eight, which had been introduced in 1924 in the Packard Eight . A total of 400 Caribbeans were produced for

SECTION 10

#1732773104598

348-529: The Ultramatic transmission was optional on the first year model at US$ 199 ($ 2,266 in 2023 dollars ). A list of optional equipment on other Packard vehicles was standard on the Caribbean that included heater and windshield defroster, power windows , power-adjustable front seat, power steering , and "Easamatic" drum power brakes . Only the signal-seeking radio with antenna and "Solex" tinted glass were extra-cost items. A total of 750 Caribbeans were built for

377-416: The radiator and engine. Merriam-Webster describes grilles as "a grating forming a barrier or screen; especially: an ornamental one at the front end of an automobile." The word 'grille' is commonly misspelled as 'grill' which instead refers to the cooking method. Other common grille locations include below the front bumper , in front of the wheels (to cool the brakes), in the cowl for cabin ventilation, or on

406-556: The Caribbean were modified by Mitchell-Bentley Corporation of Ionia, Michigan instead of Briggs Manufacturing Company , who had supplied bodywork to Packard beginning in 1941. Available "advertised" colors for the car were limited to Polaris Blue, Gulf Green Metallic, Maroon Metallic, or Sahara Sand. However, a mere handful of special-ordered cars were built in Ivory or Black. Interiors of the Caribbean were richly upholstered in leather. Most Caribbeans were also generously optioned, although

435-481: The OEM grille underneath. Bolt overs should take no more than 30 minutes to install. The OEM grille must first be removed and then the replacement billet grille must be mounted in place of the OEM grille. Drilling and sometimes cutting is required for this method. Installation instructions are provided by the grille manufacturer, but are still a challenging job. Grilles on automobiles have taken on different designs through

464-516: The Pan-American, and management tried in vain to imagine, let alone develop, a market for a roadster projected to cost at least US$ 18,000 ($ 206,526 in 2023 dollars ), at a time when the top-line Lincoln Capri six-passenger convertible went for US$ 3,665 ($ 42,051 in 2023 dollars ), the premier eight-place Cadillac Series 75 Fleetwood US$ 5643 ($ 64,746 in 2023 dollars ), and even Packard's Patrician 400 , their most expensive production model,

493-433: The car body: The American aftermarket restyling industry defines two major grille styles: In this installation method, the billet grille simply bolts over the existing OEM plastic grille. This method does not require drilling or cutting of the OEM grille shell. Hidden bolts, brackets and clamps are used for this simple installation. The downside is it may not look as clean as the replacement style, because you can still see

522-542: The first model year. The listed retail price for the Caribbean Convertible was US$ 5,210 ($ 59,332 in 2023 dollars ), placing as a competitor to the Cadillac Eldorado and Chrysler Imperial convertible. The convertible Caribbeans are sought after as collectible cars. Restored cars regularly sell in the six-figure ranges. Beginning in 1954, the Caribbean was elevated to senior Packard status and

551-457: The grille as a matter of course in personalizing their car, taking the grille bar from another make, for example. Even sheet metal with patterned holes for ventilation grating sold to homeowners for repair has been found filling the grille opening of custom cars. The emergence of electric vehicles (EV) in the automotive market has prompted a fundamental reevaluation of grille design, as electric motors need little to no front vent cooling compared to

580-402: The highest-rated power among U.S. automobiles. A 12-volt system was introduced, and electrically operated door locks were new. All Packards offered a new limited-slip rear differential. Total model year production equaled 263 hardtops and 276 convertibles, with the convertible being the most expensive Packard model listing at US$ 5,995 ($ 67,185 in 2023 dollars ). The model was discontinued when

609-465: The model year, making 1954 the rarest year for the Caribbean. The listed retail price increased to US$ 6,100 ($ 69,209 in 2023 dollars ) The model year 1955 saw the Caribbean line, now with an all-new Packard developed Over-Head Valve V8 engine , fully adopt the Senior Packard line styling. The car was available in two or three-tone paint patterns. Designer Dick Teague succeeded in restyling

SECTION 20

#1732773104598

638-408: The old Packard Senior body into a modern-looking design. The single hood scoop was split into two units, and the car also received Packard's Torsion-Level Torsion bar suspension at all four wheels. The listed retail price was $ US5,932 ($ 67,470 in 2023 dollars ). Production for 1955 Caribbean increased to 500 units. For the 1956 model year, the Caribbean was designated as a separate luxury series, and

667-572: The original Packard model production ended with the automaker's Detroit engineering and assembly shutdown. Packard Pan-American The Packard Pan-American is a concept car produced for the Packard Motor Car Company of Detroit , Michigan in 1952. Conceived as a moderate-performance two-seater by Hugh Ferry , president of Packard, it was built by Henney , which was responsible for fitting custom hearse and ambulance bodies on Packard chassis. A status symbol for

696-448: The other. The thick foam rubber cushions eliminated coil springs in the seats, preventing sagging, while the covers could be removed for cleaning The 374 cu in (6.1 L) V8 engine included Packard's "Ultramatic" push-button automatic transmission. The engine features dual four-barrel carburetors and a 10:1 compression ratio to develop 310 hp (231 kW; 314 PS) and with 405 pound force-feet (549 N⋅m) of torque,

725-409: The rear deck lid (in rear engine vehicles). Grilles evolved from previously installed gravel shields that were designed to protect exposed radiators typically used on cars until the early 1930s. The front fascia of a motor vehicle has an important role in attracting buyers. The principal function of the grille is to admit cooling air to the car's radiator. However, the look of the vehicle "matters

754-736: The years. This feature first appeared on automobiles in 1903. Several years later, the arch-shaped design became common and became the standard design on automobile grilles for many years. The "split" grille design first appeared in 1923 on the Alfa Romeo sports car. In the 1930s and 1940s, automobile manufacturers became creative with their grille designs. Some of these designs were bell-shaped ( Buick , Chevrolet , and Pontiac ), split and slightly folded ( Silver Arrow , Mercury , 1946 Oldsmobile ), cross-shaped (pre-war Studebaker Champion models, 1941 Cadillac , 1942 Ford ), while some including Packard , Rolls-Royce , and MG-TC models still followed

783-484: Was developed by Hyundai Mobis on June 17, 2021. Based on the existing radiator grille, the grille itself has evolved to move according to the cooling water temperature. When the engine coolant temperature is high, the air flap is opened to increase cooling efficiency through air suction. On the contrary, when the temperature drops, the air flap is automatically closed to reduce air resistance to increase fuel efficiency and electricity consumption. Customizers would alter

812-467: Was only US$ 3,767 ($ 43,221 in 2023 dollars ), and a six-seater. As many as six examples were built. The Pan-American did inspire a successful six-place model, the Caribbean , which debuted in 1953. Grille (car) In automotive engineering , a grille covers an opening in the body of a vehicle to allow air to enter or exit. Most vehicles feature a grille at the front of the vehicle to protect

841-519: Was related to the Packard Pacific hardtop. The Caribbean continued to have its unique styling features. However, the full rear-wheel cut-outs were eliminated, and chrome/stainless trim became more liberal and allowed for two-tone paint combinations. A four-way power seat was available. along with standard equipped power steering, power assist "Easamatic" drum brakes, heater and windshield defroster, power-adjustable seats, and power windows. Like

#597402