In 1951, Packard underwent a significant restyling under the direction of John Reinhart, who had taken the helm as the styling chief in 1947. Despite being a well-received and well-executed car, Packard struggled to recapture its pre-war allure. The automotive market was shifting towards V8 engines, automatic transmissions, power steering, and brakes, along with hardtop designs, all of which were becoming increasingly common and expected by buyers.
In an effort to rejuvenate Packard’s image, Edward Macauley, then president of Packard, and Chief Engineer Bill Graves embarked on a series of concept cars. The first of these was a car known by several names: the Packard Panther, Phantom II, or Macauley Special Speedster. This unique vehicle was based on a 1951 Packard 200 Deluxe Sedan. Key modifications included the shortening of the roof and the extension of the rear deck. The car was equipped with a supercharged straight-eight engine, an early rear window wiper, and dual exhausts, showcasing innovative features ahead of its time.
Originally intended for a sportsman, the extended rear space in this special vehicle was used to house a fridge, bar, and air conditioning unit, enhancing its luxury. Edward Macauley, known for commissioning personalized Packards like the ‘Brown Bomber’ in 1933, continued this tradition even after retiring as president. A 1952 twenty-fifth series Special Speedster was built for him on a modified 200 Deluxe Club Sedan, featuring an eight-cylinder engine on a 122-inch wheelbase. This car incorporated several custom features later seen on the Packard Pan American and Packard Caribbean models.
One of the standout features of this vehicle was its 359 cubic-inch Packard inline-eight engine, enhanced with a McCulloch supercharger. Additional unique elements included special side chrome trim, dual exhausts, and rear windshield wipers. It was notably the first Packard to use a wraparound windshield, a design element that would become more common in later models.
In the mid-1950s, the car was owned by famed singer and auto enthusiast James Melton, who made significant modifications by installing a Chrysler engine, transmission, dashboard, and taillights. He also had the car repainted in a deep blue, diverging from its original color.
The current owner discovered this unique vehicle in a state of severe disrepair. Over three years, a meticulous restoration process was undertaken to return the car to its former glory. The original supercharged engine was located and reinstalled. During the restoration, the original body color was identified as maroon, leading to a repaint in this authentic hue. One of the previous unique features, the roof-mounted spotlight, was not reinstalled, but the vehicle was otherwise restored to reflect its original specifications.
The restored Macauley Special Speedster now stands as a testament to Packard’s innovation and the company’s efforts to push the boundaries of automotive design and luxury. This one-off vehicle not only highlights the creativity of Edward Macauley and Bill Graves but also embodies the rich history and legacy of the Packard brand.
