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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 a 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 they were transformed into the 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 beltline 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 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 they were transformed into the 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 beltline 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.
No auction information available for this vehicle at this time.
1953 Packard Caribbean Auction Sales
Recent Sales of the Packard Caribbean
(Data based on Model Year 1953 sales)
1953 Packard Caribbean Convertible Chassis#: 26782645 Sold for USD$66,000 2024 Mecum : Kissimmee | |
1953 Packard Caribbean Chassis#: 2678-2494 Sold for USD$63,250 2023 RM Sothebys : Hershey | |
1953 Packard Caribbean Convertible Chassis#: ncs105115 Sold for USD$76,450 2023 Mecum : Dallas | |
1953 Packard Caribbean Convertible Chassis#: 26782216 Sold for USD$46,200 2023 Mecum : Dallas | |
1953 Packard Caribbean Convertible Chassis#: 26782645 Sold for USD$62,700 2023 Mecum : Houston | |
1953 Packard Caribbean Convertible Sold for USD$74,800 2023 Mecum : Kissimmee | |
1953 Packard Caribbean Convertible Sold for USD$78,100 2023 Mecum : Kissimmee | |
1953 Packard Caribbean Convertible Sold for USD$165,000 2022 Mecum : Chattanooga | |
1953 Packard Caribbean Chassis#: 2678-2562 Sold for USD$59,400 2022 RM Sothebys : The Hershey Auction | |
1953 Packard Caribbean Convertible Chassis#: 2678-2436 Sold for USD$34,100 2021 RM Auctions : Auburn Fall | |
1953 PACKARD CARIBBEAN CONVERTIBLE Chassis#: 2678 Sold for USD$63,800 2021 Gooding & Co : May : Geared Online | |
1953 PACKARD CARIBBEAN CONVERTIBLE Chassis#: 26782583 Sold for USD$44,000 2020 Barrett-Jackson : Scottsdale, AZ | |
1953 Packard Caribbean Convertible Sold for USD$96,800 2020 Mecum Auctions : Kissimmee | |
1953 Packard Caribbean Chassis#: 2678-2583 Sold for USD$52,640 2019 RM Sothebys : The Guyton Collection | |
1953 Packard Caribbean Convertible Sold for USD$49,500 2019 Mecum : Kissimmee | |
1953 Packard Caribbean Convertible Sold for USD$40,700 2018 Mecum : 2018 Chicago | |
1953 Packard Caribbean Custom Convertible Chassis#: L600204 Sold for USD$112,200 2018 Worldwide Auctioneers : Scottsdale | |
1953 Packard Caribbean Convertible Sold for USD$46,750 2018 Mecum : Kissimmee | |
1953 PACKARD CARIBBEAN CONVERTIBLE Chassis#: 26782688 Sold for USD$51,000 2017 Premier Auction Group | |
1953 Packard Caribbean Sold for USD$65,000 2017 Leake Auction : Dallas Fall |
Packard Caribbeans That Failed To Sell At Auction
1953 Packard Caribbean's that have appeared at auction but did not sell.
Vehicle | Chassis | Event | High Bid | Est. Low | Est. High |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
1953 Packard Caribbean Convertible | 26782216 | 2023 Mecum : Kissimmee Summer Special 2023 | $40,000 | ||
1953 Packard Caribbean Convertible | l411958 | 2023 Mecum : Indy | $57,000 | ||
1953 Packard Caribbean Convertible | ncs105115 | 2023 Mecum : Indy | $80,000 | $90,000 | $110,000 |
1953 Packard Caribbean | L411958 | 2020 RM Sothebys : Palm Beach Online | $70,000 | $75,000 | |
1953 Packard Caribbean Custom Convertible | L411551 | 2020 Bonhams : Amelia Island Concours | $65,000 | $80,000 | |
1953 Packard Caribbean | 2019 Fall Carlisle Auction | ||||
1953 Packard Caribbean Convertible | 2018 Mecum : Indianapolis | $55,000 | |||
1953 PACKARD CARIBBEAN CONVERTIBLE | 26782688 | 2018 Premier Auction Group | $70,000 | ||
1953 PACKARD CARIBBEAN CONVERTIBLE | 26782226 | 2017 Premier Auction Group | $45,000 | ||
1953 Packard Caribbean Convertible | 2017 Auctions America : Auburn Spring | $100,000 | $110,000 | ||
1953 Packard Caribbean | 2017 Branson Collector Car Auction | $44,000 | |||
1953 PACKARD CARIBBEAN CONVERTIBLE | 2015 Mecum Dallas | $60,000 | |||
1953 Packard Caribbean Convertible | 2015 Leake Auction Tulsa, OK | $69,000 | |||
1953 Packard Caribbean Convertible | 2015 Mecum : Kissimmee | $100,000 | |||
1953 Packard Carribean | 2014 Leake Auction : Tulsa | ||||
1953 Packard Caribbean Convertible | 2014 Mecum : Indianapolis | $62,000 | |||
1953 Packard Caribbean Convertible | 2013 Auctions America Auburn Spring | $29,000 | |||
1953 Packard Caribbean Convertible | 2678-2061 | 2012 Bonhams Quail Lodge Sale | $95,000 | $110,000 | |
1953 Packard Caribbean Convertible | 2012 Leake Auctions Tulsa | $75,000 | |||
1953 Packard Carribean Convertible | 2011 Dana Mecum's Original Spring Classic Auction 24th Year | $72,000 | |||
1953 Packard Caribbean Convertible | 2011 Leake Auction, San Antonio, Texas | $62,500 | |||
1953 Packard Caribbean Convertible | L 410304 | 2011 Bonhams Automobilia, Motos de collection et Automobiles d'exception au Grand Palais | $80,000 | $120,000 | |
1953 Packard Carribean Custom Convertible | 26782494 | 2010 FAIRFIELD COUNTY CONCOURS D'ELEGANCE, EXCEPTIONAL COLLECTORS' MOTORCARS AND AUTOMOBILIA | $90,000 | $110,000 | |
1953 Packard Carribean | 2010 Branson Auctions September 2010 | $67,000 | |||
1953 Packard Caribbean Two Door Convertible | 2010 Leake Auctions Tulsa, Oklahoma | $69,000 | |||
1953 Packard Caribbean Convertible | 2010 RM Auctions Collector Cars of Fort Lauderdale | $55,000 | $80,000 | $100,000 | |
1953 Packard Caribbean Custom Convertible | 2009 Leake Auctions Tulsa 37th Annual Leake Auto Auction QuikTrip Center | $73,000 | |||
1953 Packard Caribbean | 2009 The Scottsdale Auction : Gooding & Company | $120,000 | $150,000 | ||
1953 Packard Caribbean Convertible | 2008 Mecum High Performance Auction at Kissimmee, FL | $70,000 | |||
1953 PACKARD CARIBBEAN | 2007 Silver Auction Arizona in January | $80,000 |
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1953 Packard Caribbean
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