June 25: The last true Packard rolls out of Detroit on this date in 1956

By Justin Hyde  @  Motoramic  

                          

 

 

After attempting to merge with Studebaker following World War II — and never quite getting in sync with American luxury buyers — the last of the "true" Packards built in Detroit left the massive factory on this date in 1956.

 

The Packard name would live on for a couple of years on rebadged Studebakers before disappearing into history, a precipitous fall for what was once an American standard comparable to the best European luxury cars. Before it passed, Packard attempted one last shot with this television ad for the Executive:

 

 

 

Photo: dok1 via Flickr