Predictor Car Concept



“You’re looking at the seldom-remembered 1957 Packard Predictor concept, one of that company’s last, futile attempts to stimulate interest in its products… The Predictor actually ran, although not very well, and was powered by a 352 cubic inch Packard V-8 producing 300 horsepower. It featured a push-button transmission, reversible seat cushions, sliding roof panels which would move out of the way for easier entry and exit and a retractable rear window. Its many servo motors didn’t always work properly and frequently shorted out. Predictor may actually have been an appropriate name for the car as many of its design elements were later found on other cars. The most obvious is the design of the roof and retractable rear window which ended up on the 1957 Mercury Turnpike Cruiser, the 1958 Continental Mark III and the Mercury Breezeway. The hidden headlights could easily remind one of the 1963 Corvettes and the pronounced proboscis is believed to have predicted the Edsel’s ox yoke grille, although it must have influenced later Pontiac design, as well.” w/ photos

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