1956 Packard Caribbean

Model History

Auction sales research

Specifications

Body styles and Chassis Data

Exterior Photos

Custom Convertible   By 1958, Packard was in trouble. Big trouble. Sales were way down and the two-year-old merger with Studebaker was drowning both companies in red ink. As a result, at the end of the 1956 model year, Packard's Detroit assembly and engineering operations were shuttered. The proud American luxury brand was effective finished, although lightly disguised Studebakers built in South Bend, Indiana would masquerade as Packard's for two more years. For all the troubles of 1956, the fabulous Caribbean Convertible remained the untarnished queen of the line one last time. Styling changes from 1955 were minimal, but new tri-tone exterior color combos set the 1956 apart. The Caribbean was powered by a massive 374-cubic-inch V8 with an impressive 310 horsepower rating. Standard luxury equipment included Ultramatic automatic transmission with push-button controls, gold-tone 'Caribbean' scripts, power windows and a Wonderbar radio. Novel reversible seat cushions (brocade on one side and leather on the other) were also featured. A total of 276 Caribbean Convertibles were built in 1956; the car displayed here is the 115th off the line. Cost new was $6,000.

Auction Sales Information

Event	Group
Meadow Brook Concours d'Elegance	American Luxury and Convertibles 1946-1960