Packard Forum Index » Post-War (1946-54)

I no longer believe - not even for a NY minute - that the car up for sale and only partially shown in these few recent images is the surviving 23rd Series Monte Carlo.

I'll gladly admit my error if proven wrong, but I bet that PT Barnum would be smiling in his grave over this one.

I could see someone getting a car like that back in the day and cutting the roof off to make what was then the more desirable convertible.Again this is all speculation.A full set of pictures might tell us a lot more.I would like to see the full front and rear of the car.

The long-standing story was that the 23rd series Monte Carlo was "destroyed". I always took that literally but an alternative meaning could be that it was mutilated but still existed in part.

Perhaps that's the story in this case, but I'd have to see A LOT more proof to be convinced. Perhaps the fact that no more photos have been forthcoming tells the story.

I know where one of these Packard Monte Carlos is for sale, in Masschusetts .

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Never can tell what's out there, whether from the factory skunk works and never photographed, or a strange one-off by a parts-bin diver who had some extra time after his factory shift. However, I think I can state unequivocally that the Balboa shown in factory pics NEVER had a roll-down rear window. How is it going to clear the X brace and the fender wells? Not going to happen.

Are you sure that Monte Carlo is still there, I'm quite sure it was sold a couple of months ago, and I've recently seen it on a transporter heading south. It was purchased by a major player who wishes to remain quiet about it for the moment.

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So many people "know things" but they aren't telling. The proof is in the pics. Unless you DON'T want to keep it a secret, why post? Just PM somebody you think might be interested.

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I didn't say that the Balboa had a roll-down rear window, but only that such a feature might have been accomplished with some additional work.

Go back that post with the pix of the roof construction and study the angle of that channel a little more closely - namely the view of the rear of the cabin interior, looking through driver's door opening.

Looks to me like the plane of the reverse-sloping channel, if extended downward along the same angle, would lie ahead of the X-brace. If you print that pic and lay a scale in line with the side of that channel and extend its line, it appears to just clear the front of the wheel tub. Also, I doubt if the bottom of the rear glass would have needed to travel any further than the bottom of the X-brace.

However, only those who laid hands on the car during its recent restoration could tell us for sure, now.

Still, the devil is always in the details, which - all told - may have proven to be more of an obstacle than the time and budget allowed, back then. The rear window on the actual concept vehicle, as executed, is held in a fixed position, but the factory-issued Balboa brochure, which is available for downloading from the P'Info archive for your inspection, states the rear window could be lowered. While that claim may have been a bit premature, it clearly goes to intent.

Ralph Marano now owns both surviving 1952/53 Monte Carlo's , see link below: I wonder if this now-restored two tone blue car was the one from Atlanta of the one that was found in Mass?

http://theoldmotor.com/?p=117118

The Atlanta Monte Carlo is still un-restored. It is so bad a parts car is being sought. Anyone know of one?