Honestly, I never thought I'd see the day when a new Packard would grace the roads. That legendary American marque, gone since '58? Yet, here I am, utterly captivated by the Packard Excellence – a breathtaking, one-of-a-kind luxury sedan painstakingly crafted in the Netherlands. It’s not some corporate reboot; it’s the passion project of a visionary client brought to life by the wizards at JB Classic & Bespoke. Talk about a dream realized! This isn't just a car; it's 17,000 hours of blood, sweat, tears, and pure artistry poured into metal. Seeing that iconic Packard grille reinterpreted for the modern era, complete with the hidden Goddess of Speed ornament, sent shivers down my spine. It feels like touching history, but history meticulously reimagined. 🚗✨

Beneath the Bespoke Beauty: A Bentley Heart, Reborn

Okay, let's get real. The foundation here is a Bentley Flying Spur. But calling this car just a rebodied Bentley is like calling the Sistine Chapel a painted ceiling – it utterly misses the point! JB Classic & Bespoke didn't just slap a new badge on it. They performed a full metamorphosis:

• Total Transformation: Every single body panel is brand new, hand-formed to evoke the spirit of classic Packards while looking utterly contemporary. It’s sculpted elegance.

• Devil in the Details: Forget off-the-shelf parts. Those stunning headlights? Custom designed. The gleaming trim? Handcrafted from stainless steel. The level of bespoke craftsmanship is mind-blowing.

• The Suicide Door Saga: Ah, those glorious rear-hinged 'suicide doors'! Pure class, right? But they were a nightmare to engineer. The C-pillar shape meant only one hinge per door was possible. The team went through countless prototypes, stressing and testing, until they forged a hinge robust enough to handle the weight and ensure safety without compromising that iconic, elegant look. The result, paired with those exquisite stainless handles? Perfection.

A Nod to History: The Facel Vega Connection & Packard's Ghosts

Here’s where it gets fascinatingly meta. While JB handled the coachbuilding magic, the design and engineering genius came from another Dutch firm, Cinovara Design. Their brief was clear: create a modern Packard. But during their research, they unearthed a tantalizing 'what if' from the late 1950s. Right after Packard folded, there was a secret plan to resurrect the brand... by rebadging the French Facel Vega Excellence sedan for the US market!

Think about that:

1. Eerie Parallels: The original Facel Vega Excellence also had suicide doors and a grille remarkably similar to Packard's signature look.

2. Power Play: It used a Chrysler Hemi V8, but the plan was to swap in one of Packard's own potent V8s developed just before the shutdown.

3. Corporate Sabotage? The deal tragically collapsed. Why? Mercedes-Benz, who had a crucial dealership agreement with Studebaker-Packard, feared this stunning Packard Excellence would compete directly with their own luxury models. Faced with the safe Mercedes deal versus the risky Packard revival gamble, Studebaker-Packard killed the project. History took a different turn.

Full Circle: A Vision Realized in 2025

So, nearly 70 years later, the name "Packard Excellence" finally exists on a real, rolling masterpiece. It’s not the Facel-based car from the aborted 50s plan, but it beautifully weaves together those threads of history. The client who commissioned this automotive unicorn is a deep admirer of both classic Packards and the rare Facel Vega. This car is their ultimate homage, blending influences from Packard's golden age and the elegance of the Facel Vega Excellence into a singular, coachbuilt statement. It’s poetic, really. History has this funny way of looping back on itself when passion and craftsmanship collide. Standing next to it, running your hand over the flawless paint, you feel the weight of that legacy. It’s more than transportation; it’s a moving sculpture, a testament to what happens when someone refuses to let a dream die.

Your Packard Excellence FAQ (Because I Know You're Curious!)

1. Q: Is this a real Packard revival? Like, a new production model?

   A: Nope! This is a one-off, coachbuilt masterpiece. It's not a sign of Packard returning as a mainstream brand (though wouldn't that be something?). It's a unique creation for one very passionate individual, built upon a Bentley Flying Spur chassis.

2. Q: Why base it on a Bentley?

   A: The Bentley Flying Spur provides a superb, modern foundation for a large luxury sedan – powerful, refined, technologically advanced. It gave JB Classic & Bespoke a world-class platform to build their bespoke body and interior upon, saving years of drivetrain and chassis development.

3. Q: What's the deal with the suicide doors? Are they practical?

   A: Practical? Maybe less so than conventional doors in tight spaces. But oh, the drama and elegance! They are a defining feature of classic luxury coaches and a key Packard design cue. JB's engineers overcame significant challenges to make them work safely and beautifully with only one super-strong hinge per door. It’s pure theatre.

4. Q: What about the engine? Is it still the Bentley W12?

   A: While the article doesn't explicitly state engine changes, the focus is overwhelmingly on the coachbuilt body and interior. Given the extensive modifications elsewhere and the client's desire for a Packard experience, it's highly likely the potent Bentley powertrain remains, offering effortless performance befitting the car's stature. No rumbling Chrysler Hemi here!

5. Q: Could I commission something like this?

   A: If you have exceptionally deep pockets, a very specific dream, and immense patience, then theoretically, yes! Firms like JB Classic & Bespoke specialize in turning automotive fantasies into reality. But be prepared for a multi-year journey and a price tag reflecting thousands of hours of hand craftsmanship. This level of bespoke creation is the pinnacle of the automotive world. 💰⏳

Honestly, experiencing the Packard Excellence, even just visually, reminds you why icons never truly fade. They just wait for the right moment, and the right people, to be reborn. This car is that moment for Packard, however fleeting and unique. It’s automotive alchemy.