1956 Packard Predictor Concept

The Packard Predictor was one of the company's last triumphs. The Predictor's design is credited to Richard Teague and it was built on a stock Clipper chassis by Ghia. Ghia completed the project in an amazing 90 days, just in time for the Predictor to debut at the 1956 Chicago Auto Show. It was created to 'gauge public opinion on concepts in product improvement and advancement under study by Packard-Clipper product planners,' according to company officials. 'The Predictor is not a dream car, nor is it next year's Packard.' Instead, the Predictor 'offers a realistic approach to functional styling'. One of the Predictor's most visible features is its electrically operated T-tops. The back-glass is also electrically operated as are the headlight doors and side windows. It features retractable roof panels, a retractable rear window, and Packard's push-button Ultramatic transmission. Power is from a 374 cub-inch V8 engine offering 290 horsepower.

The Predictor survived Packard's closing and found a home in the Studebaker Corporation's historic vehicle collection. Today this collection is part of the Studebaker National Museum in South Bend, Indiana.