Packardbaker: badge engineering gone bad?

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We doubt if you have ever seen one of these. Probably not as they are quite rare. It's a Packard, yes, but one with a Studebaker bodyshell. Back in 1954 Packard got into financial trouble and went looking for a partner. This they found in Studebaker and from 1957 Packard used existing Studebaker chassis and bodyshells with some modifications. Top of the line was the 1958 Packard Hawk Sport Coupe powered by a 275 hp V-8 engine with a McCulloch centrifugal supercharger. Outward the most significant change from the existing Studebaker Hawk was the fiberglass wide-mouth and yes, you may argue whether you like it or not. We don't, period. But we do like the Continental Spare and a real plus point is the very comfortable looking leather interior. Only 588 of these 'Packardbakers' were built and we don't think there are many survivors. So if you really fancy one, have a look at RM's next auction on July 27 at St. Johns. There's one on offer at lot 112.
(photos Darin Schnabel, courtesy of RM Auctions)

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