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Any idea what happened to Macauley's "phantom"?

Hi BDC

It was scrapped by the company in the 1950-51 period after it had served as styling and innovation prototype as well as Ed Macauley's personal car. One might surmise that after multiple modifications and exposure to a decade of Detroit winters, it was fairly rough.

Although we'd prefer it was saved, at the time the company would regard it as a rough, used car they preferred not to have in private hands outside their control. Historic preservation wouldn't even have been considered. Why Ed didn't simply keep it in his home garage is anyone's guess.

Steve

I really hate opening up a thread from 2008 but it seems the best place to start. Around page 12 of this thread (post #120) someone entered the discussion with a convertable Monte Carlo that they owned and offered it for sale. There was much discussion but the owner just disappeared.

According to a recent Facebook post, that car is now making its way across Texas this morning.

https://www.facebook.com/ForgottenFiberglass/?hc_ref=ARRBgpPDhpEsBVpBmBqxoH01aH1PK7qrzJw2ppxNl01-kirec-N_gYt4nXSJmGw1BtI&hc_location=group

For those who don't Facebook... here's a photo of the car posted 7 years ago on CW (Collector's Weekly). The car has very few of the Arbib body changes seen on the hardtop. I would guess that it's not authentic.

Edit: What this photo doesn't show and the Facebook photos do show is the rear end of the car which does not have any of the changes seen on the hardtop (fins).

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Curious, to say the least. And I'd like to know more about it. At the time all those years ago when we were discussing the 23rd Series Monte Carlo, I did browse the minutes of the Board of Directors for any reference to it and found none.

I stole these from facebook for those of you that do not have FB.

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Not familiar with these models,

Is the side trim stock?
It appears to have an interesting profile style.

Did you notice the name of the business in the back ground picture of the car on the trailer? Does it say Ultramatic?

This car does not appear to have back up lights.
It does have a trailer hitch though!

Here are some more photos showing the interior.

BTW, I've been communicating with the guy who runs "Forgotten Fiberglas" and I asked him to weigh in here.

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Back in December, 2014, I blogged about the Packard Monte Carlos here:
https://56packardman.com/2014/12/28/before-chevrolets-monte-carlo-there-was-the-packard-monte-carlo/

Is the underlying car based on a Custom 8 or a Super Eight Deluxe? Clearly it's 23rd series but standard shift and the trunk lid trim says it's based on a Super Eight Deluxe, not a Custom 8 convertible.

I'd love to see the patent plate and Briggs body number!