 |  |  |  |  |
 |  |  |  |  |
 |  |  |  |  |
 |  |  |  |  |
1953 Packard Balboa Concept news, pictures, and information | ||
| Tweet | ||
 |  |  | Hardtop Coupe Designer: Richard Teague |
The early 1950s was the era of the 'dream' car and Packard was an active participant. The Balboa X incorporated the prize-winning styling of two popular Packard predecessors, the Pan American and the Caribbean. It featured a fresh new approach to the upper body, the Canopy Top. Safety was a theme of the car as demonstrated by the reverse angle of the rear window which eliminated such hazards as snow and rain accumulation.
Greater headroom and less head load was also an advantage. The intent was that the window could be raised and lowered for ventilation, although the window was actually fixed on the show car. The show car was built for Packard by the Mitchell-Bentley Corporation in Michigan.
The Packard Balboa was designed by Richard Teague, who succeeded John Reinhart as chief stylist at Packard. The car was briefly known as the Balboa-X, with the 'X' representing 'experimental.' Period press material describes only one Balboa, finished in Packard Ivory with a special maroon top. The inside is described as a Caribbean interior finished in maroon-and-white leather with embroidered Packard-crest medallions on the seat backs. Recent research suggests a second example was constructed for the personal use of Don Mitchell of Mitchell-Bentley. The car was held in a family museum for decades. That example was finished in blue and white with a naugahide interior.
The car made its first public appearance at the 2012 St. Johns Concours since its initial public tour in 1953.
 1953
Packard
models |
| Packard Caribbean |
| Packard Clipper Deluxe |
| Packard Woody Station Wagon |
| Similar Vehicles | |
 | 1954 Packard Panther Daytona Concept |
 | 1952 Packard Saga Magazine Concept |
 | 1948 Packard Eight Concept |
| Similar Automakers | |
| Auburn | Daimler |
| Delage | Delahaye |
| Duesenberg | Hispano Suiza |
| Hudson | Isotta |
| Peerless | Pierce Arrow |
| Talbot-Lago | Voisin |
| Packard: 1951-1960 |
| Similar Automakers |
| Packard History |
| Other models by Packard |
| Related Articles and Event Coverage |
| Concours d'Elegance of America at St. Johns |
| 180 200 250 3-35 Fourth Series | 300 38 645 745 | 845 Caribbean Cavalier Clipper | Custom Eight Eight Four Hundred Model 18 | Model 30 Model F One-Twenty Patrician | Six Super Deluxe Twelve |
© 1998-2012. All rights reserved. The material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
