Editor's note: In Part II Old Cars included a story of the mysterious one-of-a-kind 1949 Packard Monte Carlo convertible and its suspected role in Packard and Henney Motor Co. history. The following "Undiscovered Classics" column discusses on the background of Packard-based Henney show cars, concept car proposals by individuals and research into Henney families as it pertains to the Packard Monte Carlo.
Henney Hires Richard Arbib
Starting in the late 1930s, Henney Motor Co. of Freeport, Ill., had an exclusive relationship with the Packard Motor Car Co. in which Henney was the sole producer of Packard professional cars (limousines, ambulances, funeral coaches and flower cars). But after World War II, changes across America were abundant, as were opportunities. This was no different for Henney.
In 1946, Henney was purchased by Charles Russell Feldmann, who wanted to expand the company's vision. By 1949, Feldmann set his sights on building something new for Packard—something that would get the attention of both Packard and the public. He would get this attention by creating a Packard show car. To this end, Henney brought on a young new designer, 31-year-old Richard Arbib, whom Feldmann had worked with while both were in New York.
Arbib came to Henney as its new styling consultant, but he arrived armed with extensive experience. He graduated from the School of Industrial Design at Pratt Institute in the late 1930s and immediately began working for General Motors Styling under Harley Earl. During the war, he became an armament specialist for Republic Aviation.
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