More Zombie Packards

It appears that these neoclassic Packards just won't die, regardless of how hideous they are.  I've found yet another Bayliff Packard, and it looks substantially different from the last Crown Vic one I posted.  Also lucky enough this time around to have multiple views, including the interior which features a gigantic steering wheel emblem that I presume is the size it is to make up for the lack of other interior upgrades.

 And if that wasn't bad enough, it seems the luxury coupe is susceptible to the Packard virus, as witnessed by the unfortunate Mercury Cougar below.

Crown Schtick

I've brought you these awkward contraptions before, but I've just discovered this newer version made in 1992, as well as the name of the company who makes them - Bayliff Packard. A coachbuilding company formed by Budd Baylifee, he started making mock Packards in the 70's in the vein of the Stutz revival.

Where in the 70's and 80's he relied on Cadillacs and Buick Rivieras, it seems he now makes do with Crown Victorias, likely because they're the remaining full size RWD car for sale in North America, not including the Lincoln Town Car, in recent years.

Packardbakers

Packardbaker is the term for late model Packards. Why? Because then owners Studebaker though it would be a good idea to dissolve the once great luxury brand into two ill-conceived models in it's final years, both based on overstyled versions of existing Studebaker models.

Sure - you're probably thinking that GM has gotten away with this for the past 30 years, so why is this a big deal? For one, being one of the first to popularize the idea. But for the most part it's because the Studebaker designed seemed to barely even try. For example, look at the tacked on fender extensions. They basically just stuck on fibreglass extensions to the body and called it a day. And they looked like - well - tacked on fender extensions.

Same goes for the headlight pods, that blatantly bulge out from fenders clearly designed for a single unit. Adding to the hap-hazard "Packardifying" was the overall homely look of the front end. It seems as if they ran out of ideas and just decided to stretch the grille from one end to another, leading to a dustbuster meets catfish look.

The Packard Hawk takes a similar route and turns out looking a bit better, but still gets a mention due to the fact that they ruined one of the most beautiful designs to come out of the 50's - the Studebaker Golden Hawk. Come on - couldn't you have at least thought of an original name? It's vacuum catfish look is a bit more extreme as well on the Hawk. At least they look like each other.

The rear end is slightly better again in that it's devoid of tacked on fin extensions, but then it's mainly that of the Golden Hawk with a huge fake spare tire in the trunk, a la Imperial. Got to do something to make it unique I suppose.

Old School Crackard

Apparently, no one realized this was a bad idea 30 years ago.

Chrackard

One can only hope this Packard-ified 300 is a one time only deal. And people thought the Packardbakers were ugly...