The Caribbean was Packard’s uber-luxury “halo car” from 1953 to 1956. It was a low-production model that had no future once Packard merged with Studebaker in 1954, with Packards becoming rebadged ‘Bakers in 1957 and 1958. This once stellar convertible is no longer a beauty and looks to have been pulled from a barn (leaving its twin behind). Needing a full restoration, this numbers-matching fancy drop-top is available in East Hawkesbury, Ontario, and here on Facebook Marketplace for $13,500 CND (approx. $9,678 USD).
Caribbean styling was based on a 1952 show car (Pan American Packard). In three of its four years, the Caribbean was only offered as a convertible (with a hardtop added in 1956). The 1955-56 cars had fresh styling and a new engine, both committed before Packard and Studebaker pooled their resources. Two-tone and three-tone paint jobs were commonplace. In ’56, the interior had reversible seat cushions, and power was provided by a 374 cubic inch V8 with an Ultramatic automatic transmission. With 310 horsepower, it was at the top of the U.S. power chain.
Only 539 Caribbeans were produced in 1956, and 276 were ragtops. The car was gone in 1957, and the brand after 1958. One of these machines would set you back $6,000 when new, the equivalent of $71,000 today. The seller says this car is #54 to roll off the assembly line (they were numbered?). We don’t know the history of this beast, but it looks to have been left to languish for many years.
A full restoration should be your goal, as who would pay close to $10k for a parts car? From the photos provided, there is ample rust, and the interior will probably have to be stripped out and started over. The seller says there are some extra parts available, so that implies there is a separate charge. But what’s the story on the other Packard in the barn? Thanks for the tip, “Zappenduster”!
I believe a talented young engineer helped in the design of these Packards – ever hear of John Delorean?
These cars are just beautiful, when they’re restored. They look like they’re made of cast iron, too – irresistible forces in motion, immovable objects at rest.
It appears that it is 2 of 276.
Just beautiful. Hopeful it’s looks will strike a new talented younger soul who will make this one sing again.
I visited the Packard museum in Dayton this past Saturday. If you’re interested in Packards you need to see it.
There’s one in Dayton, too? I only knew about the one in Warren, Ohio.
This car was the parts car for the other Caribbean shown next to the car for sale.
Sell the parts car FIRST then you wait and see the other Caribbean will show up for sale not long after.
Reality has set in that the seller is now too old, the cost restoration is too expensive, they will not live long enough to see the project to completion and therefore time to dump this dream on the next DREAMER!
Dream or nightmare?
Definitely a fantastic find for a Packard enthusiast with a decent sized checkbook. Especially if you can buy both of them!!! It is had to tell in these pictures which one will be the “Parts Car”?? Maybe restore both???
Back in 1961, on my first day in college, I looked out of my third-floor dorm-room window and saw one of these cruise by, probably delivering another freshman. It’s a huge car, and a convertible, so proper restoration would cost a fortune. It wasn’t for everyone back then, and it certainly isn’t now.
Packard lost something after the war (that’s WW2 for the youngsters out there ). Before the war, they were the definition of quality and style. Sort of an American Rolls Royce. After the war, they lost the ‘style’ part, and with that gone, the quality didn’t matter enough to the buying public. They struggled for a decade but the handwriting was on the wall, and they were gone by the late ‘50s.
Yikes!
I can’t think of a car that would be more complicated and costly to restore (maybe a Rolls Royce?).
If you can’t afford a good one, you definitely can’t afford a bad one!
Ask the man who owns one.
looks like its twin sitting next to it. neither 1 is better than the other. can 1 be made from these 2? who knows.