Clipper (automobile)
Encyclopedia
Clipper was a stand-alone make of automobile produced by the Studebaker-Packard Corporation
in 1955–1956 for the 1956 model year
only. Clipper was aimed at the middle price field of American automobiles which included Dodge, Oldsmobile, and Mercury.
While first used as an upscale model name beginning in 1941, attempts by Packard
(and later Studebaker-Packard Corporation
) President James Nance to spin off the Clipper name as a stand-alone make began in the early 1950s when the Clipper name was used on Packard's least expensive line of automobiles. Nance believed that as a Packard model, the Packard Clipper
was diluting Packard's standing as a luxury automobile marque. For the 1956 model year, the status of being a stand-alone make was emphasized by creating a separate Packard Clipper division within Studebaker-Packard and the company required Packard-franchised dealers to also execute a separate Clipper Dealer Sales Agreement in order to sell the line. Studebaker agencies in areas not covered by separate Packard dealers were allowed to sign Clipper franchise agreements (and could also take on the regular Packard line as well, subject to factory approval).
Clippers began receiving unique trim and rear quarter panels in 1954, and when Packard introduced its heavily redesigned model in 1955, the Clipper retained its older rear sheet metal while receiving two-tone combinations that were unique to its models. For model year 1956, when the Clipper had at last become a stand-alone make, the vehicles received new rear sheet metal and tail-light treatments. Clipper's logo was a ship's wheel. Clippers were sold not only through Packard dealers but also some Studebaker
dealers.
Clipper marketed two hardtop coupes, the Panama in the Super model line and Constellation in the Custom range. Both were carry-over model names from the 1955 model year.
Mid-year, dealers began complaining that consumers were lukewarm to the cars because they were true Packards and demanded that the Packard name appear somewhere on the cars. Nance refused at first, feeling that placing the Packard name on the cars would undo his plan to save the Packard name for luxury automobiles. However when Dealers began defecting to Mercury franchises, Nance gave in, fearful that the shrinking number of dealers would harm the company more than just the Packard marque.
Following the closure of Packard's Detroit, Michigan
factory in 1956, the Clipper marque was discontinued, although the Clipper name was applied to 1957 Packards built at Studebaker's South Bend, Indiana
factory.
Also see: Packard Clipper
Clipper Models 1956 & Production
Total Clipper production for 1956: 18,572 (excludes exports, if any)
Studebaker-Packard Corporation
The Studebaker-Packard Corporation was the entity created by the purchase of the Studebaker Corporation of South Bend, Indiana, by the Packard Motor Car Company of Detroit, Michigan, in 1954.Packard acquired Studebaker in the transaction...
in 1955–1956 for the 1956 model year
Model year
The model year of a product is a number used worldwide, but with a high level of prominence in North America, to describe approximately when a product was produced, and indicates the coinciding base specification of that product....
only. Clipper was aimed at the middle price field of American automobiles which included Dodge, Oldsmobile, and Mercury.
While first used as an upscale model name beginning in 1941, attempts by Packard
Packard
Packard was an American luxury-type automobile marque built by the Packard Motor Car Company of Detroit, Michigan, and later by the Studebaker-Packard Corporation of South Bend, Indiana...
(and later Studebaker-Packard Corporation
Studebaker-Packard Corporation
The Studebaker-Packard Corporation was the entity created by the purchase of the Studebaker Corporation of South Bend, Indiana, by the Packard Motor Car Company of Detroit, Michigan, in 1954.Packard acquired Studebaker in the transaction...
) President James Nance to spin off the Clipper name as a stand-alone make began in the early 1950s when the Clipper name was used on Packard's least expensive line of automobiles. Nance believed that as a Packard model, the Packard Clipper
Packard Clipper
The Packard Clipper was initially a single model of the Packard Motor Car Company introduced in April, 1941, midyear, much as was the 1964 1/2 Ford Mustang and other new departures. It was manufactured between 1942 and 1947, from the six and junior eight, to the Super-8, where it cost more than...
was diluting Packard's standing as a luxury automobile marque. For the 1956 model year, the status of being a stand-alone make was emphasized by creating a separate Packard Clipper division within Studebaker-Packard and the company required Packard-franchised dealers to also execute a separate Clipper Dealer Sales Agreement in order to sell the line. Studebaker agencies in areas not covered by separate Packard dealers were allowed to sign Clipper franchise agreements (and could also take on the regular Packard line as well, subject to factory approval).
Clippers began receiving unique trim and rear quarter panels in 1954, and when Packard introduced its heavily redesigned model in 1955, the Clipper retained its older rear sheet metal while receiving two-tone combinations that were unique to its models. For model year 1956, when the Clipper had at last become a stand-alone make, the vehicles received new rear sheet metal and tail-light treatments. Clipper's logo was a ship's wheel. Clippers were sold not only through Packard dealers but also some Studebaker
Studebaker
Studebaker Corporation was a United States wagon and automobile manufacturer based in South Bend, Indiana. Founded in 1852 and incorporated in 1868 under the name of the Studebaker Brothers Manufacturing Company, the company was originally a producer of wagons for farmers, miners, and the...
dealers.
Clipper marketed two hardtop coupes, the Panama in the Super model line and Constellation in the Custom range. Both were carry-over model names from the 1955 model year.
Mid-year, dealers began complaining that consumers were lukewarm to the cars because they were true Packards and demanded that the Packard name appear somewhere on the cars. Nance refused at first, feeling that placing the Packard name on the cars would undo his plan to save the Packard name for luxury automobiles. However when Dealers began defecting to Mercury franchises, Nance gave in, fearful that the shrinking number of dealers would harm the company more than just the Packard marque.
Following the closure of Packard's Detroit, Michigan
Detroit, Michigan
Detroit is the major city among the primary cultural, financial, and transportation centers in the Metro Detroit area, a region of 5.2 million people. As the seat of Wayne County, the city of Detroit is the largest city in the U.S. state of Michigan and serves as a major port on the Detroit River...
factory in 1956, the Clipper marque was discontinued, although the Clipper name was applied to 1957 Packards built at Studebaker's South Bend, Indiana
South Bend, Indiana
The city of South Bend is the county seat of St. Joseph County, Indiana, United States, on the St. Joseph River near its southernmost bend, from which it derives its name. As of the 2010 Census, the city had a total of 101,168 residents; its Metropolitan Statistical Area had a population of 316,663...
factory.
Also see: Packard Clipper
Packard Clipper
The Packard Clipper was initially a single model of the Packard Motor Car Company introduced in April, 1941, midyear, much as was the 1964 1/2 Ford Mustang and other new departures. It was manufactured between 1942 and 1947, from the six and junior eight, to the Super-8, where it cost more than...
Clipper Models 1956 & Production
- Clipper Deluxe
- 4dr Sedan (5,715)
- Clipper Super
- 4dr Sedan (5,173)
- 2dr Panama hard-top (3,999)
- Clipper Custom
- 4dr Sedan (2,219)
- 2dr Constellation hard-top (1,466)
Total Clipper production for 1956: 18,572 (excludes exports, if any)