How about a Nearly Extinct Panther at your home?

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One could argue that Packard’s 1954 Panther concept car was the highest achievement in the 55-year-old automotive legend’shistory. For that was the year an ill-considered marriage to Studebaker was performed and the union was disastrous for both.

The Panther’s sleek Dick Teague-designed fiberglass body was the first factory Packard using that material and just four units were produced, with only two survivors. All carried the smooth but venerable 359cid straight eight, instead of the newly-available V8 (as management feared a demand they couldn’t fill). The styling is a mite garish to modern eyes, but was far less so than many contemporary designs and in fact was considered a little stodgy and conservative at the time. The short hood/long deck concept is the exact opposite of Packard’ traditional approach.
 
The first Panther built hits the auction block January 13-20 at Barrett-Jackson’s Scottsdale sale. If owning a rare and significant car is the goal, look no further if the bank account permits. After all, compared to the Packard Panther, Pierce Silver Arrows and Tuckers are almost plentiful!
(photos by permission of Barrett-Jackson.)

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