Designed by Richard Teaque with influence from the 1952 Pan American experimental sports car, the new 1953 Packard Caribbean was a mid-year introduction to the market. Clean, understated lines really make for a beautifully impressive, large convertible with simplicity reminiscent of a Dutch Darrin design. With a restyled front end, hood with forward scoop, cut out wheel wells accented with chrome trim, chrome wire wheels, and rear continental kit, it was large at eighteen feet long and 4,500 pounds! It would be sold for $5,200, over one thousand dollars more than the Buick Skylark it competed against, and only 750 lucky owners would have the chance to take one home!
We are very pleased to have this opportunity to offer this 1953 Packard Caribbean Convertible finished in Carolina Cream over Maroon/Cream leather interior and beautiful Cranberry Red Haartz cloth convertible top. Power comes from its original 327ci-4 barrel Straight 8-cylinder engine (#L417227) producing 180 horsepower and 300 lb. ft. of torque through a Carter WCFB 4bbl, mated to an ultra-rare 3-speed column-shift manual transmission. Features on this example include Packard's revolutionary power steering and Easamatic power brakes, rebuilt signal-seeking AM radio(added internal FM frequency) with working power antenna, power folding top, 4" wide whitewall tires, heat/defrost, and fully carpeted trunk. A wonderfully kept example having been last owned for the past decade in a northcentral California collection, exercised approximately 1,500 miles, and cared for meticulously!
The St. Louis Car Museum had the recent opportunity to acquire this stunning Caribbean along with a later generation 1956 Caribbean from another prominent collection. Having both the first and last examples on display is a special treat for our showroom guests. Even with the restoration of this particular Caribbean being completed in 2005, the high-quality results continue to show exceptionally well today! The paint finish, interior leather, cloth soft top and boot, and overall exterior chrome show minimal wear since their professional reconditioning. Additionally, all features and functions are still operable including the dual spotlights, radio, power antenna, instrumentation, hydraulic operation of the top, heater blower fan, and all safety lighting.
It remains remarkable solid with original sheet metal, smooth chassis, and factory floor pans. All visible date-code components show factory casting numbers where visible. Measuring this car against rival counterparts, mainly the 1953 Buick Skylark & 1953 Cadillac Eldorado, it becomes no surprise that these blue-chip investments have followed suit with increasing market value! With only 750 well-heeled owners given the opportunity to own them since their factory offering, fewer still are given the chance to have one today! Please feel free to call with questions or schedule a chance to review in person.
