Packard Caribbean Convertible, 1953
Packard Caribbean I
Packard Caribbean I•
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Chassis No.: 26782407
Auction: Kissimmee 2020
Auction date: January 12, 2020
Lot No.: F262
$96,800 | Sold
- Exterior: Gulf Green
- Interior: Green/white
- Body: Convertible
- 1 of 750 produced in 1953
- Comprehensive restoration to original specs
- 327/180 HP straight 8 engine
- Ultramatic transmission
- Power steering
- Power brakes
- Gulf Green Metallic with Green and White leather interior
- Correct White canvas soft top with parade boot
- Bumpers and exterior chrome have been triple plated
- Power windows
- Power convertible top
- Air conditioning added
- Rear mounted spare in metal case
- Restored chrome wire wheels
- Wide Whitewall tires
- VIN ANNOUNCEMENT
Inspired by the experimental Pan American show car unveiled by the Packard Motor Car Company at the 1952 New York Auto Show, the young stylist Dick Teague got to work on what would soon become Packard’s top-of-the-line, flagship offering of the 1950s: the Packard Caribbean. Teague shifted the basic idea of the Pan American to a 250 convertible form, adding a hood scoop, Continental spare tire, a flashy interior and chrome wire wheels with full wheel cutouts. The new Packard “sports car” was intended to bring some excitement to the typically conservative Packard lineup, and at a mere $5,200.
Introduced as an exclusive model and available only in Polaris Blue, Maroon Metallic, Sahara Sand and Gulf Green Metallic, like the 1953 Packard Caribbean seen here, a total of 750 Caribbeans were built that first year. At first welcomed in the market as a fresh take on the Packard lineup, the Caribbean would ultimately be overshadowed by GM’s Motorama cars of 1953: the Chevrolet Corvette, Oldsmobile Fiesta, Buick Skylark and Cadillac Eldorado. While it actually outsold its most direct competitor in the luxury market, the Eldorado, the new lower-priced Eldorado proved to be more popular the following year, and by 1956, Packard ceased production of the Caribbean for good.
This Gulf Green Metallic 1953 Packard Caribbean Convertible is a wonderful representative of the first year of the model, thanks to a comprehensive restoration that returned it to original specs. Powered by a 327/180 HP straight-8 backed by an Ultramatic transmission, the Caribbean displays its green and white leather interior well, which is pleasantly complemented by its correct power-operated white canvas soft top and parade boot. The bumpers and exterior chrome have been triple-plated and shine brilliantly in the sun, along with the restored chrome wire wheels and rear-mounted Continental spare.
Added air conditioning paired with a host of power amenities are prepared to make the ride enjoyable for both driver and passengers, including power steering, brakes and windows. Rolling on wide whitewall tires, this ’53 Packard Caribbean is an opportunity to be that man those Packard ads always told you to ask.
https://www.mecum.com/lots/396897/1953-packard-caribbean-convertible/
