In this video I show three similar project cars listed on CL. If you could only pick one, which would you choose? 1954 Pontiac StarChief, 1955 Packard Clipper 1956 Studebaker President
I'd drive home with the PONTIAC! First family car I remember was a slick bronze colored Pontiac more door. The first new car my dad had after the war. Times looked good... Our time of commie witch hunts, fear of the bomb, baby boomer glut, Jim Crow, war in Korea. Yes, times were good...
They ain't classics. Classics are '20s-'30s low production, high dollar cars. Arkie, I'd forgotten about the senior Buicks, Packards, & the Continental. Did any LaSalles make it ? The Star Chief is hands down the choice.
Actually the CCCA recognizes as classics cars certain vehicles built from 1925-1948 http://www.classiccarclub.org/grand_classics/what_is_classic_car.html
I'd go with the Packard, even though they tanked as a motor car because as a gentleman I met who worked for the Beverly Hills dealer once told me, a wealthy owner of a limousine told him, "If Packard starts making a car my chauffeur can afford, why would I want to own one?" The Maniac is nice but yawn, it's has the same body as a Chebby with a chrome Mohawk, and the More Door Studebaker is so homely if it was someone's sister she'd end up an Old Maid. But, I have these words for the Yahoo with the questions, what the fugs this got to do with traditional Hot Rods and Customs? I smell something and don't see no cows around, even it reminds of what comes out after they eat grass.
............................................The key here being certain vehicles. It just gets my dander up when people refer to any old car as a classic, like the OP just did. It really points out just how little they know about the old car hobby.
What's this got to do with traditional Hot Rods and Customs ? When I was 13, I hung out at the Baldwin brothers Richfield ... Keith had a '39 Merc convert, Larry had a Model A pickup with a Buick, & Kenny had a Model A coupe. One windy Saturday morning in Feb or March, a spotless copper - bronze & ivory '54 Star Chief Custom Catalina Coupe with Nevada plates pulls into the pumps. Driven by a white haired couple ... Larry sticks the Ethyl hose in the flap, & has the gent pop the hood. He's under there still when the pump shuts off, comes out & talks briefly to the driver - sticks his head in the station door & says "you guys better come look" ... it's my first look at a '55 Cad El Dorado setup. Some stuff you never forget.
I'd go with the Poncho, but I will say I have a soft spot for Studes -of course, I would prefer a two door. Kelvin
The Jalopy Journal
