1953 Packard Balboa Concept

The genesis of the Packard Motor Car Company began in 1899 as the Ohio Automobile Company of Warren, Ohio. The name changed to the former in 1903, and operations were moved to Detroit. The ascension to the top of the luxury car segment was rapid, becoming one of the three 'P's in automotive dynasty, shared with Peerless and Pierce-Arrow. It would remain at the pinnacle of the market throughout its existence, which ended in 1958. A lower-priced model helped the company survive the Great Depression but (arguably) tarnished its prestigious name. The post-war era continued a similar cadence, catering to the upper middle class and the affluent. A series of 'dream' cars were built, exploring various design directions, as Packard worked aggressively to keep pace with a rapidly changing automotive landscape.

When Packard's chief stylist, John Reinhart, resigned in 1952, he was replaced by Richard Teague. Mr. Teague's resume would include design positions at General Motors, Packard, and Chrysler; he later became Vice President of Design for American Motors Corporation (AMC). His first project with Packard was to update (facelift) the line for 1953. He was then tasked with distinguishing the Clipper brand from Packard. The 'Clipper' was a model within the Packard line, but company president James J. Nance wanted to make it a stand-alone make, separate from Packard. The goal was for Packard to regain its exclusivity while the Clipper would cater to a wider, albeit wealthy, clientele.

Packard 'dream' cars designed by Teague include the Balboa and the Panther (a.k.a 'Grey Wolf' and 'Daytona'). The Balboa was briefly known as the Balboa-X, with the 'X' representing 'experimental.' The Balboa was built for Packard by the Mitchell-Bentley Corporation in Michigan.

The Packard Balboa drew design inspiration from two popular predecessors from the same stable, the Pan American and the Caribbean. It was given a unique 'Canopy Top' which featured a reverse-slanted rear glass. The design resulted in greater headroom and less head load, and eliminated such hazards as snow and rain accumulation. The window was designed to be raised and lowered for ventilation, although the window was actually fixed on the show car.

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.

The Balboa's tour as a show car ended in 1954, and like most other dream cars, it was fated to be crushed. Save by factory workers, the car lay dormant until 2012, when it made its first public appearance since its initial public tour in 1953.

A second Balboa was built by Don Mitchell, president of Mitchell-Bentley. Impressed by the Balboa, he had to have one for himself. Mitchell's car was different from the original Balboa, as it was based on a production Caribbean. Its rear quarter windows utilized the Caribbean's standard glass, while the red and white show car had elongated rear quarter windows. Mitchell's car was painted blue and white and was displayed in his company's museum for decades before being acquired by the current owner (who also owns the show car).

by Dan Vaughan

Hardtop Coupe by Mitchell-Bentley

Packard was one of the leading luxury marques and one of the oldest car companies in America, with the first Packard built in 1899. The company began life as the Ohio Automobile Company based in Warren, Ohio. It became the Packard Motor Car Company in 1902 and moved to Detroit in 1903. They were recognized as the car of presidents and kings.

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, which featured a reverse-slanted rear glass. 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. This feature found its way into many Mercury and Lincoln models well into the 1960s.

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. 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.

After retiring from the car show circuit in 1954, the Balboa was fated to be crushed, but it was taken out of the factory by farsighted workers and saved. The car made its first public appearance at the 2012 St. Johns Concours since its initial public tour in 1953.