Packard Caribbean Convertible, 1956
Packard Caribbean II
Packard Caribbean II•
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Chassis No.: 56991271
Auction: Monterey 2018
Auction date: August 25, 2018
Lot No.: F22
$95,700 | Sold
- Exterior: White/Red
- Interior: Red/white
- Body: Convertible
- 1 of 276 produced in 1956
- Body-on restoration
- 374 CI V-8 engine
- Dual 4-barrel carburetors
- Pushbutton Ultramatic transmission
- 3.31 twin traction rear end
- Self leveling suspension
- Power steering
- Easomatic power brakes
- Fender skirts
- Tri-tone color Dover White, Flamingo Red and Charcoal Gray
- Power windows and seat
- Power convertible top
They were advertised as “the greatest Packards of them all.” To some collectors, the 1956 models made in Detroit were the last “real” Packards. Styling changes included a redesigned grille with a mesh-type insert and a gridwork of vertical and horizontal chrome bars, and the bumper guards were wider apart and directly under the headlights. The limited-edition Caribbean was now a separate Packard sub-series having two models with special styling and engineering.
General changes from 1955 Caribbeans were minimal; the deeper hooded headlight look was used, the rear edge of the parking lamps was rounded, and the gold Caribbean script in the grille insert was of slightly wider squares so that several divisions were eliminated both horizontally and vertically. A new air scoop bumper with the center cutout revealing a portion of the grille was also used. New three-tone color combinations were offered, such as maroon, light blue and ivory white. A hardtop priced at $5,495 was a new addition to the line, while the convertible, such as the example offered here, cost $5,995. Only 539 Caribbeans were built and 276 were convertibles.
Use of a dual 4-barrel induction system was continued with the 374/310 HP Caribbean V-8. Caribbeans had reversible seat cushions that could be unsnapped and repositioned. This rare Flamingo Red, Dover White and Charcoal Gray Caribbean has a white and red interior and shows off its body-on restoration well. The dual 4-barrel engine is attached to an Ultramatic transmission with pushbutton shift controls and drives power to a 3.31:1 ratio Twin-Traction rear end.
It also features a whole host of options: a self-leveling suspension; power steering; Easomatic power brakes; fender skirts; power windows, seat and convertible top; tinted glass; reverse and trunk lights; windshield washers; a glare-proof rearview mirror; chrome-plated wire-spoke wheels; and wide white sidewall tires.
https://www.mecum.com/lots/345896/1956-packard-caribbean-convertible/
