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09/07/2020 1:58 pm
Packard Balboa, a concept of 1953 (pic)
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In 1953 Packard's director of styling, Richard Teague, took a stock Packard Caribbean and turned it into the Balboa-X. It still exists, as shown here.
The rear window had a reverse-slope and could be lowered for draft-free ventilation and a rear view without optical distortion. Further, the rear shelf was omitted for reasons of safety (loose articles in case of an accident), a modern attempt at the time. The Packard Predictor show car of 1956 also featured an opening, reverse angled rear window. Some years later, Mercury stuck on the idea and offered some models with a similar rear window treatment.
And here it is in 1:43 scale-
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09/07/2020 3:09 pm
Excellent model and figures David!
09/07/2020 4:33 pm
If I may reminice here, Dick Teague was also a 1/43 model collector along with friend Chuck Jordan. I used to repaint a lot of Lamborghinis and Ferraris and they were good customers of mine. I met them in Dearborn Michigan, while displaying at a toy show in the 1980s. Maybe the late '70's. It was a long tme ago. Both very nice guys.
09/07/2020 5:27 pm
I sold an old Dinky to Chuck once. And I have two Mercury Ferraris I got from him.
But I never heard about Dick Teague being into 1:43. News to me.
09/07/2020 9:55 pm
Harvey , Mercury Ferraris ?? Please show them.
10/07/2020 1:56 am
Yes, Graeme, I saw them and liked them. I also have the Predictor.
10/07/2020 3:48 am
The red and white ones to the right side of this pic.
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10/07/2020 8:11 am
Harvey, thanks for posting the Mercury's . You have quite a nice collection.And only mint + boxed
10/07/2020 8:28 am
Thanks Jacques!
10/07/2020 12:29 pm
Harv, do I spy a pack of luggage accessories with that 3500GT?
Autominologist residing in the Robin Hood County
Nottinghamshire England UK
10/07/2020 1:40 pm
Yep - and a rack with skis for the Lancia.
I have not bought a Mercury diecast since 2000, when I got the two Ferraris from Chuck. Six of my 1:43 models were bought in the 1970s at sub-$10 prices. There are a few I'd like to acquire but, like other vintage diecasts, prices are through the roof for good ones.
10/07/2020 11:31 pm
Autominologist residing in the Robin Hood County
Nottinghamshire England UK
11/07/2020 7:31 am
nd thank you for the info Chris. Nice to know I have a "grail".
11/07/2020 6:05 pm
Your comment got me curious Chris, so I dug out the Maserati.
The luggage package is unopened. Contents include several handbags, a fold-over type suitcase, a golf bag and (of all things) a pair of boots! The boots (or galoshes) are very small - I can see how these would be quickly lost.
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