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 Daniel Vaughan | Mar 2024