105 Book: Packard 1948 to 1950 Author: Robert J. Neal; Published 2011 Background This excerpt came from a book authored by Robert Neal and published in 2011. In researching his work, we determined he was aware of the Monte Carlo convertible being found but it’s unknown whether he was able to inspect the car personally. I never got a chance to meet Robert in person. He passed away in 2015. Excerpt From Book “This brings us to the Packard connection. Feldmann (President and owner of Henney) was looking for increased Henney work and Packard would be a natural source. Arbib did at least three design renderings based on current Packard bodies, a formal sedan based on the 141” Super Eight line, a Coupe de Ville based on a 23rd Series club sedan and a Monte Carlo coupe, a hardtop based on a Custom Eight convertible body. Whether Packard had shown interest in the renderings or whether Feldmannn proceeded on pure speculation we do not know, but in any case Feldmann felt there was a reasonable possibility that Packard might pick up the Monte Carlo design for Henney production as a specialty car. He acquired a 22nd Series Custom Eight convertible and had an example built at Henney under Arbib’s supervision. Although no mention of the car has been found in Packard archival material, it must have been shown to them as a proposal – and rejected. It was certainly a stunning car but considering the current circumstances one could easily see why Packard would reject the idea. It was probably completed in May or June of 1949, which is about the time the 1949 Cadillac Coupe de Ville was announced. That might have led Packard to thinking seriously about it, but it was also 23rd Series introduction time. The line had already been announced and they were starting with some 14,000 leftover 22nd Series cars to sell. It (the Monte Carlo concept) may have had a chance in June of 1947 but not in June of 1949.” CONTINUED ON NEXT PAGE
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