by Joanna Kafarowski
Recognized as a daring Arctic explorer whose scientific contributions during the early half of the twentieth century led to a deeper understanding of Greenland, American Louise Arner Boyd (1887-1972) is also known for her appreciation of luxury cars. She purchased a Pierce-Arrow Series 51 limousine in 1919 but it was her association with another vehicle- the Packard- that is better known today.
By the early 1930’s, Miss Boyd had participated in an international rescue mission by sea to locate Roald Amundsen, the famed Norwegian conqueror of the South Pole. She received honours and awards from around the world and was lauded in the media. In 1931 and 1933, she organized, financed and lead two successful expeditions to East Greenland which yielded valuable data in the fields of glaciology, geomorphology, geology and botany. Many of her photographs from this period are still being used by contemporary scientists investigating glacial recession.
In early 1934, Boyd was between polar expeditions but, never a woman to rest on her laurels, she accepted an invitation to present at the prestigious International Geographical Congress in Warsaw, Poland. Representing the Society of Woman Geographers, the California Academy of Sciences and the U.S. Research Council, she took full advantage of the opportunity and planned a research trip around Poland and neighbouring regions. As with all her adventures, Miss Boyd travelled in style.
After learning that luxury travelling cars were scarce in Europe, she commissioned a 1934 Packard Twelve 1108 Custom Convertible by Dietrich as the car that would drive her around Poland during her three-month research mission. It was a bold move undertaken at a time of political turmoil and unrest. But Miss Boyd was undeterred. As with her Arctic journeys, she prepared well and ordered certain specifications best suited to her taste. These included a roll-up divider window allowing her to communicate with Percy Cameron, her longtime personal driver from San Rafael, California; a fold-down tray at the back for luggage, and extra bumper guards. She also commissioned a polar bear car mascot to adorn the hood of the Packard- decidedly not a standard hood ornament for the time but which declared Boyd’s connection to the Arctic.
Her three-month road trip was a great success resulting in the creation of thousands of evocative photographs capturing the cultural and geographical landscapes of what is now Belarus and the Ukraine. Her book, Polish Countrysides, published by the American Geographical Society in 1937, contains the highlights of this trip. Her original photographs are now housed in the American Geographical Society Library at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee.
Miss Boyd’s Packard remained in her possession until the 1950s. There were only twelve of these cars ever built and the vehicle became increasingly rare over time. Years later, her 1934 Packard Twelve 1108 Custom Convertible was purchased by luxury car enthusiast Jack Boyd Smith Jr. (no relation) who added it to the exclusive JBS Collection. Smith is a keen supporter of adventurous women who get things done and has a reverence for history. Amelia Earhart’s 1937 Cord 812 Phaeton Convertible which she owned months before her disappearance, is also to be found in the JBS Collection.
Smith was inspired by Miss Boyd’s story and determined to restore her Packard to its former glory. Working with LaVine Restorations, Smith ensured that the car was returned to its 1934 configurations from its original French registration plates to its whitewall tires. It was due to the dedication of Smith’s team that one critical element was not forgotten. Over the years, the iconic polar bear car mascot had disappeared but was located languishing in the archive of a small California museum. Smith ordered a 3D laser scan and re-casting of the image.
Today, her 1934 Packard Twelve 1108 Custom Convertible with the polar bear gracing its hood has been fully restored to its former glory. Restoration was completed in 2024 and the car made its glorious debut at the Pebble Beach Concours d’ Elegance in Pebble Beach, California. Always impeccably dressed with a camellia in her lapel, I’ve no doubt Louise Arner Boyd was strolling amongst the Pebble Beach crowd when her beloved Packard was shared with the world.
*Thanks to Jack Boyd Smith Jr. and the JBS Collection for sharing these images and for their cooperation.
Joanna Kafarowski 