Re: Ex-Packard Designers

Posted by Dave Brownell On 2014/8/1 12:38:33

The late and great Virgil Exner is off the hook for both the 1954 Plymouth Belmont and the Dodge Granada. My copy of "Chrysler Concept Cars 1940-1970" blames the Belmont on Al Prance of Briggs. Bill Robinson had done an earlier version but it was Prance who "corrected it" to the version we see today. The interior seems to have changed as often as the color of this car, including some versions with floor shift and some with Hy-Drive column indicator. Ionia Manufacturing and Creative Industries are responsible for the even worse 54 Dodge Granada. To me, it looks like a cross between the 58 Packard Hawk and a Daimler SP-250. Both could have easily been shifted over to a Packard label by some minor grill changes.

For me, I'll be happy for Chrysler to claim the credit for both. Apparently, the Motorama 1953 Corvette really got many to think about fiberglass two seaters. I do like what Richard Teague did with the Gray Wolf/Panther when his turn at bat came up. Imagine the thrill of seeing that car when the hood was opened to reveal a large iron Packard straight eight. Did the second version, the one that was updated with 55 rear treatments, ever get a V-8?