Re: Ex-Packard Designers

Posted by Leeedy On 2014/7/28 16:28:14
Quote:

DaveB845 wrote:
I have seen the 1954 Plymouth Belmont in both red and teal paint. I believe it's the same car, but with different paint. Seeing it, up close and personal, in the Atlanta concept car museum display, I was surprised by the lack of sophistication in the interior. Apparently, they just took the standard Plymouth steering wheel and column out of a Belvedere sedan, complete with plastic transmission shift indicator that showed "Hy-Drive" proudly on it. The Belmont was done in fiberglass, possibly in response to Chevrolet''s new Corvette.

To me, the choice of the 1954 St. Louis Automobile Show was an unusual pick for its debut site. That might have rubbed some salt into the wounds of some Corvette assembly workers who were making Chevy's version about eight miles away. That car show venue was my first car show as an eight year old. I didn't miss another until the military took me away. So, I might have actually seen the Belmont three times. And it might have meant that the first time with the Belmont was utterly forgettable.


Yessss. The original color of the Belmont was a light metallic blue (I believe called "Azure"). The "resale red" car of today is that same car after going through many hands (and auction companies) and with a few modifications tossed in the mix by various owners over the years.

One of these mods (thankfully removed) was a-you guessed it-back porch continental kit. Er... the Mitchell Panther once had a continental kit installed on it too! Danged thing was so long and heavy it couldn't get in or out of Creative's driveway on East Outer Drive (Detroit).

Suspect that J.J. Nance probably agreed with Dave's assessment. Got news fer ya... I am absolutely, positively convinced the Belmont was originally intended to be a Packard. If you've seen my Packard Concept Car presentation, you'd know about this. And you may just see some proof upcoming in an issue of The Packard Cormorant magazine...

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