Packard Caribbean
The Packard Caribbean was an American personal luxury car produced by the Packard Motor Car Company of Detroit, Michigan, during model years 1953 through 1956. Some of the Caribbean's styling was derived from the Pan American Packard show car of the previous year. It was produced only as a convertible from 1953 to 1955, but a hardtop model was added in its final year of 1956.
| Packard Caribbean | |
|---|---|
 1954 Packard Caribbean | |
| Overview | |
| Production | 1953-1956 |
| Body and chassis | |
| Body style | 2-door convertible 2-door hardtop |
| Related | Packard Executive Packard Patrician Packard Mayfair |
| Powertrain | |
| Engine | 327 cu in (5.4 L) 4-bbl. L-head "Thunderbolt" 180 hp 8-cylinder (1953) 352 cu in (5.8 L) Dual 4-bbl. OHV 275 hp V8 (1955) 374 cu in (6.1 L) Dual 4-bbl. OHV 310 hp V8 (1956) [1] |
| Dimensions | |
| Wheelbase | 122 in (3,099 mm) (1953-1954) 127 in (3,226 mm) (1955-1956) |
| Length | 218.5 in (5,550 mm) [2] (1953-1954) 216.5 in (5,499 mm) (1955-1956) |
| Width | 77.8 in (1,976 mm) (1953-1956)[3] |
| Height | 62.3 in (1,582 mm) (1953-1954) 62.9 in (1,598 mm) (1955-1956) |
| Chronology | |
| Predecessor | Packard Super Eight |
1953
The 1953 Caribbean was perhaps Packard's most easily identified car because of its full cutout rear wheel housing and side trim, limited to a chrome band outline that stretched the entire length of the car. The band also helped to further delineate the car's wheel openings. A steel continental spare tire was also standard. The hood featured a broad, low leaded-in hood scoop. Bodies for the Caribbean were modified by Mitchell-Bentley Corporation of Ionia, Michigan. Available "advertised" colors for the car were limited to Polaris Blue, Gulf Green Metallic, Maroon Metallic or Sahara Sand. However, a mere handful of special-ordered cars were built in Ivory or Black.[4]
Interiors of the Caribbean were richly upholstered in leather. Most Caribbeans were also generously optioned, although the Ultramatic transmission was optional on the first year model at US$199 ($2,015 in 2021 dollars [5]). A list of optional equipment on other Packard vehicles was standard on the Caribbean that included heater and windshield defroster, power windows, power adjustable front seat, power steering, and "Easamatic" power brakes. Only the signal seeking ratio with antenna and Solex tinted glass were extra cost items.[1]
A total of 750 Caribbeans were built for the first model year,[1] and these cars are highly sought after as collectible cars in the current collectible automobile market. Restored cars regularly sell in the six-figure ranges. The listed retail price for the Caribbean Convertible was US$5,210 ($52,767 in 2021 dollars [5]).[1]
1954
Beginning in 1954 the Caribbean was elevated to senior Packard status. The Caribbean continued to have its own unique styling features, however the full rear-wheel cut-outs were eliminated and the use of chrome/stainless trim became more liberal, and allowed for two-tone paint combinations. A four-way power seat was available.[4]
Like the Patrician, the Caribbean also gained heavier "finned" headlight housings, one of the visual cues applied to help differentiate the senior Packards from the lower priced models. The 359-cubic-inch (5,880 cc) straight eight senior engine was used in this final incarnation of Packard's straight eight engine. A total of only 400 Caribbeans were produced for the model year, making 1954 the rarest year for the Caribbean. The listed retail price increased to US$6,100 ($61,552 in 2021 dollars [5])[1]
1955
Model year 1955 saw the Caribbean line, now with an all-new Packard developed V8 engine, fully adopt the Senior Packard line styling; the car was also available in two or three-tone paint patterns. Designer Richard Teague succeeded in restyling the old Packard Senior body into a modern-looking design. The single hood scoop was split into two units, and the car also received Packard's Torsion-Level Torsion bar suspension at all four wheels.[6] Production for 1955 increased substantially at 9,127 units with a listed retail price of $US5,932 ($60,005 in 2021 dollars [5]).[1]
1956
For 1956, the Caribbean was broken out into its own luxury series, and gained a hardtop model. Trim differences between the 1955 and 1956 cars were slight. Grille textures changed, and matched the ones used on concurrent Patricians, and the rear treatment, featuring Packard's cathedral style taillights also continued. The headlights also received slightly more exaggerated brows. Unique new interiors featured reversible seat cushions with cloth on one side and leather on the other. Total model year production equaled 263 hardtops and 276 convertibles with the convertible listed at US$5,995 ($59,752 in 2021 dollars [5]). The model was discontinued when Packard production ended in Detroit.
References
- Flory Jr., J. "Kelly" (2008). American Cars, 1946-1959 Every Model Every Year. McFarland & Company, Inc., Publishers. ISBN 978-0-7864-3229-5.
- "Directory Index: Packard/1956 Packard/1956_Packard_Data_Book". Oldcarbrochures.com. Retrieved 2012-06-01.
- "Directory Index: Packard/1955_Packard/1955_Packard_Owners_Manual". Oldcarbrochures.com. Retrieved 2012-06-01.
- Gunnell, John, ed. (1987). The Standard Catalog of American Cars 1946-1975. Kraus Publications. ISBN 0-87341-096-3.
- 1634–1699: McCusker, J. J. (1997). How Much Is That in Real Money? A Historical Price Index for Use as a Deflator of Money Values in the Economy of the United States: Addenda et Corrigenda (PDF). American Antiquarian Society. 1700–1799: McCusker, J. J. (1992). How Much Is That in Real Money? A Historical Price Index for Use as a Deflator of Money Values in the Economy of the United States (PDF). American Antiquarian Society. 1800–present: Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis. "Consumer Price Index (estimate) 1800–". Retrieved April 16, 2022.
- "Directory Index: Packard/1955_Packard/1955_Packard_Torsion_Ride_Folder". Oldcarbrochures.com. Retrieved 2012-06-01.
Sources
- George, Vance- The Packard Club 53-54 Caribbean Roster Keeper
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