Packard Caribbean Convertible, 1953
Packard Caribbean I
Packard Caribbean I•
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Chassis No.: 26782574
Auction: Kissimmee 2017
Auction date: January 15, 2017
Lot No.: S169
$112,750 | Sold
- Exterior: Black
- Body: Convertible
- 1 of only 750 Packard Caribbean convertibles produced in 1953
- Extensive concourse-quality restoration
- 327/180 HP inline 8-cylinder engine
- 4-barrel carburetor
- Power brakes
- Power top
- Power convertible top
- Automatic transmission
- Continental kit
- Packard chromed wire wheels
- Wide Whitewall radial tires
- Chrome wheel cut-out moldings stretching from front to rear
- Black exterior
- Green over Black interior
If Sinatra had driven a Caribbean, the song may well have been, “Come Float with Me.” Introduced in 1953, the Caribbean was an exclusive model produced only in the convertible motif, and available only in Polaris Blue, Gulf Green Metallic, Maroon Metallic or Sahara Sand. However, a tiny number of Caribbeans were special-ordered in ivory and an even smaller number emerged from the factory in black. With a total of only 750 Caribbeans built in 1953, the number of ivory and black cars is excruciatingly limited.
The Caribbean quickly established itself as a penultimate luxury model of a preeminent luxury brand, but sustained only three years before Packard ceased production of the Caribbean in 1956, the same year the company would introduce a Caribbean hardtop to complement the convertible. Caribbeans were replete with power amenities and acres of leather and carefully emboldened styling, setting them uniquely apart from other American luxury models of the era that popularly hosted expanses of brightwork with largely sculpted and shaped bodies. Caribbeans moved in virtual silence and floated across the pavement creating a motoring experience like few others.
People often referred to Packard as, The American Rolls-Royce, which, to some was a compliment, to others, an insult. Regardless, Packard had long produced one of the finest cars ever built, and the Caribbean was one of those high watermarks from the company. This one has undergone an extensive, concours-quality restoration and is powered by the proper 327/180 HP straight-8 engine fed by a 4-barrel carburetor and backed by an automatic transmission. The interior is a fabulously appointed environment in two-tone green and black with an AM radio, triple cluster gauges and a massive center-speaker grille with integral temperature controls.
Rolling on wide whitewall tires with chromed Packard wire wheels, a Continental kit and full rear-wheel arches with chrome moldings stretching to the front bumper, this Packard is easily identified as a top-shelf Caribbean.
https://www.mecum.com/lots/269881/1953-packard-caribbean-convertible/
