Packard Caribbean, 1953 Caribbean Pictures, News, Reviews, and Info | Conceptcarz.com - Pictures, Wallpaper, Pricing, Information, History

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Convertible

Inspired by Richard Arbib's 1952 Packard Pan American show car built by Henney, Packard introduced the convertible Caribbean in 1953. It features circular rear-wheel cutouts, 'Continental kit' outside spare tire and chrome wire wheels, plus most every optional amenity in the book. It cost a lofty $5,210 and was deliberately limited to 750 copies - for snob appeal - but the Caribbean was as well received as Cadillac's new 1953 Eldorado.

The 4,265-pound car rides on a 122-inch wheel-base. It is powered by an in-line, 8-cylinder, 327 cubic-inch engine that develops 180 horsepower.

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Convertible
Chassis Num: 26782406

The Packard Caribbean Convertible of 1953 was inspired by the Pan-American show car. It was put into limited production with only 750 examples being produced. It featured classic Kelsey-Hayes wire wheels, low hood scoop, and full cutout rear wheel housing.

This 1953 Packard Caribbean Convertible has been in the care of its owner for twenty years and has been well maintained with regular maintenance. It has been treated to a complete restoration; following the restoration it was shown at several shows where it won the coveted Best of Show Award on several occasions. The exterior is finished in burgundy paint with chrome used throughout. The interior is finished in burgundy and ivory leather. All mechanical components are original, including the eight-cylinder engine that displaces 327 cubic-inches and produces 180 horsepower. This car has a three-speed manual gearbox and four-wheel disc brakes. It is well equipped with options such as power windows, power top, and power brakes.

At auction the car was offered without reserve and estimated to sell between $65,000 - $85,000. The estimated value proved to be accurate as this well preserved vehicle was sold for $75,350.

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Convertible

The inspiration of the prestigious Caribbean was Packard's Pan American show car, displayed at the 1952 New York Auto Show.

In order to ensure exclusivity, 1953 Caribbean production was limited only 750 units and the base price was a stout $5,210. All were constructed by the Mitchell-Bentley Company from production Packard convertibles. Extensive modification included de-chroming, a hood scoop, extended quarter panels, wire wheels, and a rear-mounted 'continental kit' spare tire.

Power was provided by a 327 cubic-inch version of the venerable Packard side-valve inline eight and the Packard designed Ultramatic automatic transmission.

The Gulf Green Metallic Packard Caribbean shown was acquired by the current owners in 2002. During the period 2003-2006, it was the recipient of a complete restoration.

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Convertible

This 1953 Packard Caribbean Model 2678 is number 688 of 750 examples built. It had a base price of $5,209 and was a custom built, two-door convertible. Power is from an eight-cylinder L-head engine that produces 180 horsepower. It has a single exhaust, rear wheel drive, Ultramatic transmission, two-speed torque converter with lock-up, power steering and brakes, power seats, windows and antenna, and an AM radio with signal seek. There is a twenty-gallon fuel tank and the car average 11/15 mpg. Top speed is achieved at around 100 mph and it goes from zero-to-sixty in about 17 seconds. This car is painted in Matador Maroon with a white top and matching seat bolsters. It was factory installed (made by Hudelson - Whitebone Company) with a Continental kit.

The Caribbean was an outgrowth of the 1952 Pan American Show/Concept car and was designed to compete against Cadillac's Eldorado (in 1953 it outsold the Eldo 750 to 532). Packard shipped partially completed convertibles to custom car builder Mitchell Bentley Corp. in Ionia, Michigan where there were transformed into a Caribbean and then completed. All engineering and mechanics are pretty much standard Packard. The open wheels and tires, undercoated sides, hood scoop and extended rear fenders and tail plus inset continental tires are unique to these cars. The belt line even mimics the famous 'Darrin Dip' design elements.

This particular car has about 75,000 miles since new. It was purchased from the estate of a long-time Packard collector (it was 1 of 4 Caribbean's he had) who didn't like it and only drove it 2,000 miles in 28 years. It took a year of driving to get the engine cleared out after being so dormant, but it now runs in the true Packard tradition.

There were four standard colors, and this example is finished in Matador Maroon (it was repainted in the 1970s). The Maroon and white leather interior is the original. The Packard Registry estimates there are about 88 of these cars remaining.

With its clean lines, many consider the 1953 version to be the best looking and most collectible of the 4 years the models were offered.

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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19th Annual Concours d'Elegance of the Eastern United States	Meadow Brook Concours d'Elegance	Vintage Motor Car Auction at Meadow Brook Hall	Volo Auto Museum
2006 Meadow Brook Concours d'Elegance	2006 Walnut Street Invitational Car Show in Shadyside	2005 Amelia Island Concours d'Elegance

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