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1955 Packard Caribbean news, pictures, and information
 | | View more photos |
The car has the factory specified three-tone paint and the interior is original. Available options were limited to wire wheels and air conditioning.
| | View more photos Custom Convertible Chassis Num: 5588-1220 |
The Packard Caribbean was redesigned for 1955 and given a high output overhead valve V8 engine with twin four-barrel carburetors. The suspension featured a torsion bar setup with automatic leveling which greatly improved the vehicles ride. The base sticker price set the buyer back nearly $6000. In total, only 500 examples were produced.
The example shown is number 220. It was originally ordered by a physician residing in Nebraska and presented to his wife as a 50th birthday present. It was later sold back to the dealership where it had been purchased. It remained there for 25 years. The car was purchased by its next owner in 1986. It was used for many years as a daily driver. It was sold to its next owner in 2004; the odometer read 62,000 miles.
The car was treated to a complete restoration in the mid 2000s. It was repainted in its correct Packard White Jade, turquoise, and Pearl Gray three-tone color scheme.
At auction, the car was sold for $88,000.
| | View more photos Custom Convertible Chassis Num: 55881437 |
In 2007 this car was brought to the Monterey Sports & Classic Car Auction presented by RM Auctions, where it had an estimated value of $75,000-95,000. It was offered without reserve. This worked well for the buyer, as the lot was sold for $66,000 including buyer's premium.
| | View more photos Custom Convertible Chassis Num: 55881163 |
By the close of the 1940s, there was very little to distinguish the top-of-the-line Custom Eight models from the standard Packard Eights. This would change in the years that followed with the help of James Nance, the new president who arrived from appliance manufacturer Hotpoint in 1952. His strategy was to make distinguishable features between the entry-level Packards, and the top-level cars. Part of his plan was a separate marque name which was never fully implemented.
The top-line Patrician series had longer wheelbase, more elegant trim and a line of Executive sedans by Henney Motor Company, the professional car builders. The Clippers, on the other hand, had simple trim, smaller engines and fewer amenities. The upper-mid-level series called simply 'Packard' was a new Caribbean convertible.
The Caribbean was modified by Mitchell-Bentley Corporation, and had full leather interior, chrome wire wheels, enlarged wheel openings, custom paint in one of four hues, and hood scoops.
For 1955, great changes were made to the Packard line. The bodies were given distinctively different appearances, and Packard introduced their first V8 engine, available in two sizes. The Caribbean continued as part of the Series 5580 Packard line. With the exception of air conditioning, the Caribbean was fully optioned. Power was from the larger 352 cubic-inch V8 with dual Rochester four-barrel carburetors, and the new electrically-operated Torsion Level suspension was standard.
This particular Packard Caribbean Convertible was purchased in 1985 from David Cummings of Blairsville, Pennsylvania. It was given a full bare-metal repaint in 1986 consisting of red, white and black. The odometer shows just 50,666 miles since new.
In 2009, this Commodore Six Convertible was offered for sale at the Automobiles of Arizona auction presented by RM Auctions. The car was expected to sell for $60,000 - $80,000 and offered without reserve. As bidding came to a close the lot had been sold for the sum of $51,700 including buyer's premium.
| Custom Convertible Chassis Num: 55881258 |
In 2009, this Packard Caribbean was brought to RM Auctions 'Vintage Motor Cars of Meadow Brook' where it was estimated to sell for $60,000-$80,000. As bidding came to a close, the lot had been sold for the sum of $63,800, including buyer's premium.
The Packard Caribbean was a limited-production automobile produced from 1953 through 1956. It was inspired by the Pan American concept car that Packard had displayed at the 1952 New York Auto Show. It was available in convertible and hardtop form. Originally, only the convertible was offered but in 1956 the hardtop was introduced. The vehicle was outfitted with as many amenities available at the time and overseen by Packards stylist, Dick Teague. The interior was adorned in leather trim and was equipped with dual heaters and defrosters, three-way radio with electric antenna, power brakes, windows and seats. Even power-assisted steering was standard, a rarity at the time.
Under the hood lurked an outdated Packard 327 cubic-inch inline eight-cylinder side-valve engine capable of producing 180 horsepower. In 1954, the horsepower rating was increased to 212. A new V8 engine was introduced in 1955 and the horsepower rating skyrocketed to over 300. The 'Twin-Ultramatic' transmission was controlled through push-buttons in the middle of the dash and the Suspension was torsion bars inter-connected from the front to the rear.
The 1953 and 1954 version had a continental spare wheel fixed atop the rear bumper pan. A hood scoop gave the vehicle a sporty persona while the wire-spoke wheels gave it a hint of European styling. Two-tone paint schemes and chrome accent strips gave the vehicle a distinct appearance.
In 1954 Packard merged with Studebaker to try to compete, (stay in business), against the large mass-production automobile giants. By 1956, their body supplier, Brigg, sold out to the Chrysler Corporation. Packard moved the body manufacturing to a Detroit factory where it struggled with supply and quality issues. Chrysler had their C-300 and Cadillac their Eldorado, both were moving in on Packard's territory.
The Caribbean exclusivity was guaranteed by their steep sticker prices. 400 examples were sold in 1954, and between 1955 through 1956, 500 examples were sold. This exquisite vehicle made it into production just before the Packard name became part of the past.
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Under the hood lurked an outdated Packard 327 cubic-inch inline eight-cylinder side-valve engine capable of producing 180 horsepower. In 1954, the horsepower rating was increased to 212. A new V8 engine was introduced in 1955 and the horsepower rating skyrocketed to over 300. The 'Twin-Ultramatic' transmission was controlled through push-buttons in the middle of the dash and the Suspension was torsion bars inter-connected from the front to the rear.
The 1953 and 1954 version had a continental spare wheel fixed atop the rear bumper pan. A hood scoop gave the vehicle a sporty persona while the wire-spoke wheels gave it a hint of European styling. Two-tone paint schemes and chrome accent strips gave the vehicle a distinct appearance.
In 1954 Packard merged with Studebaker to try to compete, (stay in business), against the large mass-production automobile giants. By 1956, their body supplier, Brigg, sold out to the Chrysler Corporation. Packard moved the body manufacturing to a Detroit factory where it struggled with supply and quality issues. Chrysler had their C-300 and Cadillac their Eldorado, both were moving in on Packard's territory.
The Caribbean exclusivity was guaranteed by their steep sticker prices. 400 examples were sold in 1954, and between 1955 through 1956, 500 examples were sold. This exquisite vehicle made it into production just before the Packard name became part of the past.
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Automobile information, history, and specifications from concept to production. | © 1998-2009 Conceptcarz.com
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