Starting the Research Journey
Honestly I never knew about Packard until last Tuesday. Was scrolling through old car photos when this gorgeous classic popped up with a weird logo. Googled “luxury car with red hexagon emblem” and bam – Packard kept showing up everywhere. Thought to myself: How come I’ve never seen these on the road?
Digging into the Archives
First hit the library’s microfilm section. Spent three hours squinting at old newspaper reels from the 1920s. Found this badass 1929 ad claiming Packard was “the master motorcars of the world” – such confidence! The librarian actually dragged me out at closing time cause I kept going “whoa!” too loud.
Then it got sad. Discovered their 1954 merger with Studebaker was like watching two drunk guys tryna carry each other home. Newspaper headlines screamed “AUTO GIANT COLLAPSING” by 1958. Felt weird reading how workers showed up Monday just to find padlocks on factory gates.
Crazy Discoveries
- Packard made planes during WWII – total plot twist! Their factories spit out bomber engines instead of luxury cars
- Rich folks treated Packards like iPhone launches – millionaires would camp outside dealerships for new models
- Their hood ornaments were deadly – literally! Police made them remove the sharp “Goddess of Speed” figure after pedestrian accidents
The “Aha” Moment
Everything clicked reading this interview with a retired mechanic. Said Packard’s fatal mistake was chasing Cadillac buyers instead of rich Europeans. Started cutting corners – plastic parts in luxury models? Come on! Then he dropped this truth bomb: “When your $10,000 car looks identical to a $3,000 Studebaker, you’re dead.” Felt like I’d uncovered some automotive murder mystery.
Final Thoughts
Spent all weekend obsessed. Packard’s story hits different – like finding a rotting mansion in a poor neighborhood. Crazy how this king of luxury got killed by its own shortcuts. Kinda depressing honestly, but also weirdly inspiring? Like what happens when you sacrifice what makes you special. Definitely checking junkyards for Packard parts next weekend – need to touch this history for real.