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Submitted: March 27, 2011
Image Size: 532 KB
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Make:Panasonic
Model:DMC-LC33
Shutter Speed:1/60 second
Aperture:F/8.0
Focal Length:6 mm
ISO Speed:50
Date Taken:Jun 12, 2010, 11:01:00 AM
Software:Ver1.08

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1954 Packard Deluxe Clipperby ~RoadTripDog

Photography / Transportation

On The Turntable in 1954: 'Sh-Boom' - The Crew-Cuts
This was one of my favorite songs as a little boy, I remember my mother liked it and turned up the radio when it was played. Now a new generation knows it as one of the best scenes and songs in "Cars". The song was popular back in the days when Route 66 was known as "The Mother Road".

Began in 1954: In late 1954 and early 1955 Edgar Hetteen and David Johnson started making and selling their Polaris snowmobiles.

Packard Clipper: After the war Packard had an increasingly hard time keeping up with GM, Ford and Chrysler. Squabbling and questionable management decisions didn't help things either. Originally the Clipper was supposed to be a new marque under the Packard umbrella but the dealer network pitched a hissy fit and the Clipper was introduced as a Packard.

The years of 1953-54 were strange years in the auto industry for styling. American cars from 1946 to the early 50's were mostly pre-war cars. By 1953 most automakers were bringing out newer styles, most of them interesting and some very clumsy. Unfortunately I place the 1953-54 Packard Clippers in that group. 1955 was a major automotive historical point as the styling of American cars took a turn for the better. Look at the difference between any 1954 Big 3 (GM, Ford & Chrysler) car and it's 1955 version. Now there's quite a transformation!

In most American cars, 1955 was the real beginning of the tailfin era! Yes there were little fins before, but 1955 began the era of serious fins. We were rocket obsessed back then, and rockets had fins, so why not cars?

For a Blast From the Past moment, take a look at the 1954 Packard Clipper brochure:[link]
Click on a page for a larger view.

And what would Sweetie think about this 1954 Packard Deluxe Clipper? Well, if we had one we would love it and show it at car shows but it would not be our car of choice for a nice sunny afternoon drive through wine country.

Don't clip it - go full size, the Packard was a big car!

*Skoshi8 Apr 6, 2011 Hobbyist Photographer

When I looked in the brochure, the copy referred to the deluxe model's hood ornament as a "pelican". I've always heard that it was a cormorant.

~RoadTripDog Apr 6, 2011

I've heard both birds too. I'll look it up in my big Packard history book, which is currently in my storage, but I'll let you know what I find.

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