Packard Caribbean, 1955 Caribbean | Conceptcarz.com - Pictures, Pricing, Information, Wallpaper, History

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This car is one of only 500 Caribbean's produced in 1955. It was the flag-shift of the Packard line, costing $6,000. Standard equipment includes power steering, brakes, seats, windows, antennas and two 4-barrel carburetors. The engine is rated at 275 horsepower.

The car has the factory specified three-tone paint and the interior is original. Available options were limited to wire wheels and air conditioning.

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Custom Convertible
Chassis Num: 5588-1220

This 1955 Packard Caribbean Convertible was offered for sale at the 2007 RM Auctions in Amelia Island, Florida. The car was estimated to sell for $80,000-$100,000. It is powered by a 352 cubic-inch overhead valve V8 engine capable of producing 275 horsepower. There is an Ultramatic Drive automatic transmission and power-assisted four-wheel drum brakes.

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.

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Custom Convertible
Chassis Num: 55881437

There were only 500 examples of the Packard Caribbean created and this example has less than 60,000 original miles. It was treated to a complete frame up restoration and finished in a three-tone White Jade, Turquoise, and Pearl Grey exterior. It has the optional wire wheels, dual hood scoops, a 5.8-liter V8 engine, convertible top, air conditioning, and power windows. The interior colors match and compliment the exterior with the dash materials finished in a very tropical appearance. When new, this car would set the buyer back $5,932 which was a high price to pay. These vehicles were tailored to the most discriminating tastes in America, with its elegant styling, luxurious appointments, and well outfitted list of options.

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.

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.

Photos grouped by event
Monterey Sports and Classic Car Auction	Vintage Motor Cars at Amelia Island	2005 Hilton Head Island Concours d'Elegance

1955 Packard Caribbean
Year	1955
Make	Packard
Model	Caribbean
Body Style	Custom Convertible
Engine Location	Front
Drive Type	Rear Wheel
Production Years for Series	1953 - 1956
Price	$5,932.00
Weight	4755 lbs \| 2156.9 kg
Combined MPG	0.00

Chassis / Engine Numbers Shown
Chassis Number	5588-1220
Chassis Number	55881437

Engine
Engine Configuration	V
Cylinders	8
Aspiration/Induction	Normal
Displacement	352.00 CU IN. \| 5769.3 cc. \| 5.8 L.
Valvetrain	OHV
Horsepower	275.00 BHP (202.4 KW) @ 4800.00 RPM
HP to Weight Ratio	17.3 LB / HP (Vehicles with similar ratio)
HP / Liter	47.4 BHP / Liter
Compression Ratio	8.5:1
Main Bearings	5
Fuel Type	Gasoline - Petrol
Fuel Feed	Carburetor
	2 Rochester Type 4GC 4-barrel carburetor
Block	Cast-iron
	Vehicles with similar horsepower and weight

Standard Transmission
Transmission	Automatic
	Ultramatic
Final Drive	3.23:1

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