2008 American Motor Corporation

The Hurricane would be used in the AMC Darrin in uprated 130-183 hp 2.6-3.0 forms (with 2.6 uprated to 160 hp in the same state of tune as the Willys Capeta that would carry over to the 3.0 unit in 183 hp form), prior to being replaced by the early Tornado.

A SOHC/DOHC 6-cylinder is inevitable for an entry-level Packard from the 1970s, though would at least be sophisticated compared to a likely strangled V8 short of fuel-injection. As for Packard platforms it depends on what would have been available from the mid-1950s up to 1970.

There would be 1960s replacements for both the ATL "Cosmo" (aka US CIBA-powered Rosengart Ariette) and the ATL Metropolitan, however an early-1960s Spirit/Gremlin (aka Rambler American version of Hornet GT prototype) would be in its own category due to usinga SWB American American platform rather than direct replacements for the Metropolitan.

While understanding the need for rationalization am basically wondering if other constituent parts of this ATL AMC (Crosley, Kaiser-Frazer / Willys-Jeep, International Harvester, Continental Motors, etc) have anything of value that could have been carried over to existing AMC models. Was basically thinking the ATL 1953 Nash Rambler discontinues the 2-door 100-inch wheelbase, while an updated ATL AMC Henry J / Allstate hatchback model slots in underneath (the ATL pre-AMC models would differ from the OTL version by adopting the Darrin styled proposal resembling the 1951 Kaiser full size model) prior to being replaced by the early-1960s Spirit/Gremlin (which would also carry over the hatchback bodystyle).

Quite like the look of the Willys Aero however it is unfortunate there is no place for an updated model in this ATL AMC range.

Was thinking of having an AMC version of the Budd XR-400 made into a 2-seater and using the SWB ATL Rambler American platform, though there is also the AMC version of the Willys Capeta 2-door 2-seater coupe Darrin replacement to consider.
 
Want to know what a Rambler American pick-up/ute might look like.
https://www.pinterest.com/pin/442056519656282637/
I remember w,hen this was built in the late sixties early seventies. The car originally was a four door IIRC. The roof is off of the original car. I think a station wagon would be the ideal starting point. I've seen any number of pick-up conversions done either in perspn or pictures. This is one of the more balanced ones I've seen in terms of looks.

Another odd ball body typethat occasionally got built in the factory was a few 3 door sedans. Two door post on the drivers side, four door on the passenger side. This could be done due to commonality of roofs etc. The cars wound up getting used as plant hacks for engineers and such going out to the Burlington Test Facility
 
No, the styling would feature on a 1960s AMC replacement for the ATL 1950s Kaiser / AMC Darrin.
Close enough.;)
The Javelin was built on AMC's "junior" platform. AMC manufactured two different rearends. Think of them as equivilants of Ford 8 inch and 9 inch rear ends. The smaller rearend went in the junior platform. But both rearends used the same size ring and pinion IIRC.
So what's the benefit of "smaller" v "larger"?
Search for the AMC Cowboy for an El Camino/Ranchero utility late 60's. Move the Cowboy to 1963-64, AMC has a winner.
Agreed, especially if they keep building it after the Ranchero & Camino are dropped. Better still if it inspires a *Gremlin-based version.:cool:
Packard could run with the 320/354/374 base with an overbore and stroke for the next decade.
Those are getting pretty dated already, aren't they? Especially in the face of the OHV Olds...
Packard releases the return of the Twin-Six or Twelve with SOHC/DOHC heads
If it was a V12 *120, IMO, it'd be better.
Remember the Tarpon debuted on the Car Show Circuit before the Mustang. Have Abernathy approve its production for 1964/5. Call it the Mako!!!
That works.:cool::cool:
Who needs the humongous engines, when you can beat their horsepower with less.
The 401 put out great torque. Couple it with all the HD bits from the Matator police cruisers, you've got a rodder's dream car.:cool:
Standard-Triumph was looking for a partner in 1954.
Takeover by AMC, fit a small straight 6 (V6?), & rebadge the TR-4 or TR-5.:cool: (Call that the Tarpon?:openedeyewink:) Eventually, the *TR-6 & *TR-7 from AMC...maybe with a 401?:cool::cool: Smoke the MGBV8 & 'vette.:cool::cool: And make the *Stag less of a headache.:cool: Maybe even make the *Dolomite a real sleeper.:cool::cool:
 
A relaunched AMC Eagle would fit very well into the crossover-obsessed modern car market. Making the Pacer into a cute-ute might be possible too.

I don't see any advantage to AMC picking up IH's vehicle lines if they already have Jeep. IH provides you with Scout, which overlaps pretty strongly with the Jeep CJ even though it was marketed as more of a farmer's utility vehicle just due to its manufacturer, Travelall, and fullsize pickups. Jeep can make any of these just as well. If AMC is consolidating all of the American auto industry outside of the Big Three, there's no obvious partner for IH unless its vehicle lines get picked up by a Japanese manufacturer in the 1980's.
 
Using the Citroen CX / Lancia Gamma as well as larger Citroen SM / Maserati Quattroporte II inspired or derived platforms, AMC could potentially spawn their own equivalents of the OTL Lancia Megagamma under the AMC Eagle badge along with an even larger MPV derived from the Maserati Quattroporte II.

This ATL AMC could indeed be best described as a consolidation of all the American auto industry out of the Big Three (composed of AMC, Jeep, Packard and possibly Indian assuming its not re-branded as AMC), was thinking of having International Harvester under AMC being integrated into Jeep.
 
Lets assume Packard under AMC from 1954 continues to produce the Packard Patrician, how could it be updated beyond 1956 for at least two more years? Additionally what would be the best way to replace the Patrician without it being a complete clean-sheet design (since it is too early IMHO), one idea as an interim measure would be for AMC to consider the OTL Facel Vega Excellence-based Packard proposal until a new range of Packards could be developed in the mid-1960s possibly beginning with a new Packard Patrician loosely derived from the 5th or 6th generation AMC Ambassador.

Ideally would like to fill the gap in this ATL until the late-1960s/early-1970s when Packard can make use of a new generation of V8 and V12 engines derived/inspired by Maserati and Fiat respectively.
 
One thing you do get with IH & AMC is a pickup; the Jeepster always seemed a bit odd, to me.

What this might do is generate stronger sales of 4x4 pickups. It might also help move Jeeps off the tall & narrow platform to a wider, more stable one (based on the Scout?), which IMO is a good thing. (Badge engineering the Scout, or facelifting it, as a Jeep *Cherokee, with Jeep 4x4 & a 343 V8, wouldn't hurt either marque, IMO.)

Making Packard the "halo" marque for AMC has an appeal. IMO, that wants Packard to be the engineering & styling leader, with the rest of AMC taking cues from it, so OHV, OHC/DOHC, V12, supercharging & turbocharging, FI/EFI, 4ws, even hybrid drive, should all come first to Packard (first in the industry, & absolutely first at AMC). A Facel Vega-like *Patrician might be good, but IMO, giving reign to Giugiaro, Bertone, Turing, Pininfarina, & Gregoire, & seeing what they come up with, would be a good idea--it might end up being a little cracked, but it might also be stunning.

Getting the DoT to allow something other than single round headlights of a preset diameter would be an excellent idea (if a bit far afield for the thread;) ).

As for inspiration, what are the chances for *AMC adopting the narrow-angle V4/V6? Or the proposed Porsche/VW "under-the-seat" engine position?
 
Assuming Facel Vega still goes bust in this ATL, perhaps AMC could recruit Jean Daninos to style Packards. Did consider having AMC adopt Avanti-esque Raymond Loewy styling for Packard, especially it is late-1960s / early-1970s models embrace similar styling to the OTL Monica automobile. However such styling would likely be too radical for Packard and would be better utilized as a styling language by AMC.

Apart from the AMC V8 engine ATL AMC would have already adopted SOHC via the 724-1042cc CIBA, upscaled 1200-2000cc CIBA-derived/inspired 4-cylinder as well as the 2000-4000cc 4/6-cylinder Tornado engines by the early-1960s. So Packard would have had to embrace DOHC and fuel-injection for its 6/8/12-cylinder engines at minimum from the mid-60s to early-70s.

BMC did develop a narrow-angle V4/V6 layout though BMC embracing a transverse FWD layout as well as production tooling costs ended up shelving the engine project. Have heard Volkswagen had issues with its own VR6 engine to the point Audi developed its own 6-cylinder engine, also read they looked at a related narrow-angle V4 though unfortunately little else. Interestingly Citroen in OTL did temporarily look at a 2-litre V4 engine in a Citroen CX prototype related to the 3-litre 90-degree V6 from the Citroen SM / Maserati Merak though nothing came of it.

The proposed Porsche/Volkswagen "under-the-seat" engine layout is also unlikely.

Regarding a potential Range Rover challenger by AMC, could Packard diversify into such a role or would it remain reserved for Jeep?
 
Assuming Facel Vega still goes bust in this ATL, perhaps AMC could recruit Jean Daninos to style Packards.
That would be a good call, IMO. The FVs were handsome, but still conservative.
Did consider having AMC adopt Avanti-esque Raymond Loewy styling for Packard
:eek::eek: Please, no. The Avanti is hideous, especially with the badly-placed (& round!) headlights. Without DoT allowing rectangular--or some significant changes...
similar styling to the OTL Monica
I do like that, tho it's a bit whale-like... When the company folds (or maybe before, & butterfly it?), AMC could hire Tony Rascanu & David Coward...

BMC did develop a narrow-angle V4/V6 layout though BMC embracing a transverse FWD layout as well as production tooling costs ended up shelving the engine project. Have heard Volkswagen had issues with its own VR6 engine to the point Audi developed its own 6-cylinder engine, also read they looked at a related narrow-angle V4 though unfortunately little else. Interestingly Citroen in OTL did temporarily look at a 2-litre V4 engine in a Citroen CX prototype related to the 3-litre 90-degree V6 from the Citroen SM / Maserati Merak though nothing came of it.

The proposed Porsche/Volkswagen "under-the-seat" engine layout is also unlikely.
Oh, well...
Regarding a potential Range Rover challenger by AMC, could Packard diversify into such a role or would it remain reserved for Jeep?
I wasn't aiming at Range Rover as much as Suburban. Until pretty recently, a luxury car marque having an SUV was unusual.

OTOH, Packard did build trucks, once, so maybe it's not out of the question. A Jeep entry-level, with Packard at the top end, both based on the Scout? Maybe even a Packard version of the Cowboy?
 
Admittingly Avanti-esque styling would be too radial for Packard, though of the view such styling language on AMC models would allow it to evolve into a US version of Vauxhall's Droop Snoot styling language that from a project of projects had plenty of scope to growth into something more attractive. Either Fissore or Frua would probably be more suited for Packard from the early-1970s, the former would probably allow for a Jeep or Packard version of a Range Rover that is in in terms of styling is a properly developed and more sophisticated Monteverdi Safari (with 5-door variant).

Am not keen on the popup headlights of the Monica though the rest would be worth considering.
 
Admittingly Avanti-esque styling would be too radial for Packard, though of the view such styling language on AMC models would allow it to evolve into a US version of Vauxhall's Droop Snoot styling language that from a project of projects had plenty of scope to growth into something more attractive. Either Fissore or Frua would probably be more suited for Packard from the early-1970s, the former would probably allow for a Jeep or Packard version of a Range Rover that is in in terms of styling is a properly developed and more sophisticated Monteverdi Safari (with 5-door variant).

Am not keen on the popup headlights of the Monica though the rest would be worth considering.
IMO, given the Stude trouble with droopsnoots, they were ahead of their time in the '50s. 1965, maybe. 1970, sure. The Avanti could've been salvaged, even with the round headlights, but it'd take a serious rework. (And I can't upload a photoshopped pic of how I'd fix it...:oops:)

Agree on the styling houses. I like the idea of a Packard *Safari.

The popup headlights would've been the first thing to go, if I'd had any say on the Monica (or the 308 or 'vette, for that;) ). Designers think aerodynamics are different at night, do they?:rolleyes:
 
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