The Packard Panther was a show car, built in 1954 to showcase some of the more radical ideas
Packard was considering for its production models in the mid- and late-1950s.
The Panther was a two-seat "personal luxury" sporting convertible, with Packard styling cues but much lower stance.
A total of four Panthers were built, of which only two survive.
Originally, the cars had 1955 Clipper taillights, but these were subsequently
removed and replaced with the Senior Series' "cathedral" style units.
(wikipedia)
Packard was considering for its production models in the mid- and late-1950s.
The Panther was a two-seat "personal luxury" sporting convertible, with Packard styling cues but much lower stance.
A total of four Panthers were built, of which only two survive.
Originally, the cars had 1955 Clipper taillights, but these were subsequently
removed and replaced with the Senior Series' "cathedral" style units.
(wikipedia)
The Panther’s body was an innovative one-piece fiberglass molding,
a daring move for a full-size car that measured some 200 inches long.
The Packard Panther was based on the standard 122-inch wheelbase Cavalier chassis.
A two seat roadster, its body is so low that it becomes a sleek, aerodynamic package.
At the front Packard designer Dick Teague managed to integrate a low,
full width grille with the classic Packard radiator shape.
Powered by Packard’s 359 cubic inch eight driving through Packard’s Ultramatic automatic transmission,
the concept was rushed to be completed in time for the Daytona Beach speed trials.
The Panther turned in a speed of 110.9 miles per hour through the official Daytona Beach time clocks.
Its performance induced Packard to rename the concept car the Panther-Daytona.
Three more Panthers toured the country along with the Daytona Beach car generating publicity for Packard.
Of the four Panthers, the copper coloured car is the only Panther with a removable hard top.
It was sold for $700,000 in a 2009 auction.
(supercars.net)
(Photos from supercars.net & conceptcarz.com)
