1956 Packard Caribbean

Until the mid-1950s, Packard used an inline, eight-cylinder engine that was based on a 1929 design. In 1955 they became the last U.S. automaker to introduce a high-compression V-8 engine and retired the reliable and venerable inline eight. The Packard overhead-valve V8 engine was modern, conventional, and physically large. Its design was inspired by other engines of the period, including the first-generation Cadillac, Oldsmobile, and Studebaker Charles Kettering's design features. Displacement sizes included 320- and 352 cubic inches. The engine powering the Caribbean had two four-barrel carburetors and offered 275 horsepower. In 1956, Packard introduced its 374 CID version which was used in the senior cars. The Caribbean, with its two, four-barrel carburetor arrangement, produced 310 horsepower making it the most powerful engine available in an American production car in 1956.

1956 Packard Caribbean photo
Custom Convertible
The engines were backed by Packard's 'Ultramatic' automatic transmission with a lockup torque converter with two speeds. When the Ultramatics were introduced, they operated only in 'high' with 'low' having to be selected manually. Near the close of 1954, the transmission had been updated to operate only in 'high' or start in 'low' and automatically shift into 'high.'

The mid-1950s Packards were among the smoothest, most comfortable, best riding, and finest handling full-size rides on the road. The William Allison invented 'Torsion-Level' suspension was an electronically controlled four-wheel torsion bar suspension that balanced the car's height front-to-rear and side-to-side, having electric motors to compensate each torsion bar independently. Several contemporary American competitors unsuccessfully attempted to imitate this suspension concept by employing airbag springs. A Dana-designed 'Twin-Traction' limited-slip differential was introduced by Packard in 1956 and complimented the Torsion-Level suspension.

Packard introduced all-new styling for 1955 that was attractive and modern. The Caribbean was the top-of-the-line model with three-tone paint schemes, two-tone leather interiors, and an ornate dashboard and ornamentation layout. Changes for 1956 were minimal, although a hardtop coupe became available in the Caribbean for the first time. A new feature was the reversible seat cushions with two-tone leather on one side, and cloth and leather on the other.

1956 Packard Caribbean photo
Custom Convertible
The 1956 Packard Caribbean was the second most expensive car on the American market, with a base price of $5,995 for the convertible and $5,495 for the hardtop, making them slightly less than the Continental Mark II. The high price tag and shortened production, ending on June 25th of 1956, meant that just 276 convertibles and 263 hardtop coupes were produced. Period Packard advertisements described them as 'the greatest Packards of them all.'


by Daniel Vaughan | Mar 2020

Related Reading : Packard Caribbean History

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....
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Related Reading : Packard Caribbean History

One of the signature cars of the 1950s, the Caribbean was built on the Packard 400 chassis. It featured Packards own overhead valve V8 engine with a displacement of 375 cubic inches producing 310 horsepower. An exclusive limited-production automobile, the regal Packard Caribbean was manufactured from 1953 until 1956. Offered in either convertible or hardtop form, the sleek Caribbean came with many....
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1956 Packard Caribbean Vehicle Profiles

Recent Vehicle Additions

Performance and Specification Comparison

Price Comparison

$1,070-$5,500
1956 Caribbean
$6,000-$16,795
1956 Packard Caribbean Price Range: $5,500 - $6,000

Compare: Lower | Higher | Similar

Other 1956 Packard Models

Caribbean

Specification Comparison by Year

Year
Production
Wheelbase
Engine
Prices
750
122.00 in.
8 cyl., 327.09 CID., 180.00hp
$5,215 - $5,215
122.00 in.
8 cyl., 359.00 CID., 212.00hp
$6,105 - $6,105
500
127.00 in.
8 cyl., 352.00 CID., 275.00hp
$5,930 - $5,930
539
127.00 in.
8 cyl., 374.00 CID., 310.00hp
$5,500 - $6,000

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Vehicle information, history, and specifications from concept to production.