The Caribbean was based on the Pan-American concept car of 1952. Packard 2631 Series bodies were sent from Detroit to the Mitchell-Bentley Corporation of Ionia, Michigan, for modifications including a hood scoop, chrome beltline and rocker trim, quad horizontal taillights with “fishtail” rear fender treatments, a Continental-style spare wheel in a body-color cover, and enlarged wheel openings with chrome trim and 1953-model-year-only radiused rear wheel arches.

This example is finished in Matador Maroon and benefitted from an award-winning restoration in 2014. Features include chrome bumpers, a fender-mounted antenna, dual side mirrors, and a white convertible top that is operated via a hydraulic pump that was replaced during a refresh performed in preparation for the sale. All the hydraulics work well except the driver-side window drops down over time.  Also, the spare-wheel-carrier release button is included but not installed.

The 15″ chrome wire wheels wear Packard center caps and are mounted with General wide-whitewall tires, while a matching spare is mounted under a steel body-color cover at the rear of the car. Stopping is handled by power-assisted Easamatic four-wheel drum brakes that were refreshed between 2019 and 2020 with work including a rebuild of the Treadlvac unit and replacement of the rear wheel cylinders.

The cabin is trimmed in Matador Maroon and White leather over front and rear bench seats with matching trim over the door panels and rear side panels. Additional features include maroon carpeting, hydraulically operated power windows, a lockable glovebox, a heater, and a push-button radio. The heater control valve was replaced in 2021. Scratches are noted in the finish near the instrument cluster.

The ivory-color two-spoke steering wheel frames an engine-turned instrument panel housing a 110-mph speedometer, gauges for fuel level and coolant temperature, and a clock. The five-digit odometer shows 53k miles, approximately 50 of which were added under current ownership. The speedometer was rebuilt in 2020, at which time the clock was repaired.

The 327ci Thunderbolt straight-eight features a Carter four-barrel carburetor and was factory rated at 180 horsepower. The carburetor was rebuilt during the refresh performed between 2019 and 2020, which also included the replacement of the fuel pump.  Power is sent to the rear wheels via a two-speed Ultramatic automatic transmission that was overhauled in 2020. The coil-sprung independent suspension and steering system were refreshed between 2019 and 2020.

For more information and details, please call or text Kendi Brown at +1.623.404.9042 or email us at sales@classicpromenade.com.  The Packard is available for inspection at our showroom in Phoenix.  We are pleased to coordinate inspections, and we help coordinate shipping worldwide. We also have financing partners if you are interested in financing.

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Originally designed by Dick Teague exhibiting many cutting-edge designs, the Packard Caribbeans were nearly $6,000 when new and delivered 310 hp.  This convertible was delivered new to Trio Motors in Mount Kisko, NY and was ordered in the rare “Paint Code VMV” combination.  At least 40 years ago Fred Kanter acquired this Caribbean to add to his 40-car collection at Kanter Auto Parts.  It has now accumulated 71,500 miles and runs and drives well.

The livery is striking in its Corsican Black with a Tan center and tan vinyl power convertible top.  The paint is very nice with beautiful shine and luster.  The paint has some minor paint touch ups in the normal higher use areas.  The chrome and stainless-steel trim are all in very good condition with many of the pieces beautifully re-chromed.  There are some small dings in the stainless belt moldings.

We have long known of the existence of the rare black Caribbeans but have never actually seen one in person.  They are striking!  Further, this example has the correct Packard wheel covers rather than the chrome wire wheels that we normally see.  And the styling of the 1956 is absolutely striking.  The more we study its design, the more impressed we are with Mr. Teague’s design concepts.

The interior is also stunning in a rich tan leather complimented with black woven fabric.  Unique to 1956 Caribbeans, the interior seat cushions are reversable to be either all leather or fabric and leather.  In just minutes, the entire interior look and feel can be transformed!  The interior is overall in very nice condition and the leather is soft and supple but showing some patina from time.  The black carpeting is correct and looks nice.  The dashboard finishes are original and in very good condition overall.

The engine compartment is well detailed for show and the venerable 374 CID V8 has its correct dual four-barrel carburetors producing an impressive 310 hp.  The Ultramatic transmission has been serviced and works well from the push button controller.  The self-leveling torsion bar suspension also functions well and adds to the incredible ride quality.  The chassis is largely cleaned and painted and shows very well.  The trunk is also well finished, and it includes the top boot cover, a case for the top boot and the spare wheel.  This Packard Caribbean comes complete with its service and owner’s manual.

We have this Caribbean priced to sell.  The Hagerty No. 2 Value is $85,300 and No. 3 Value is $64,000.  The NADA Value is $121,100.

For more details and information please call, text or email Harry Clark at +1.623.404.9042 or sales@classicpromenade.com.  The Packard is available in our Phoenix showroom.

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This Packard is said to have been bought new by Edgar S Osborne of Northridge, CA.  We have in the photo gallery a California registration document from 1966 as well as the bill of sale for when Mr. Osborne sold it to its next owner, Richard J Ducharme of Dayton, WA on May 23, 1989.  Mr. Ducharme painted the Caribbean and performed certain other improvements before selling it to Hilary Barr on October 21, 2014.  Since her acquisition, Ms. Barr installed a gorgeous new and correct interior, convertible top and many mechanical improvements performed by Murray Motor Car in Monroe, WA.

The livery is stunning in its original paint combination of White Jade, Rose Quartz and Gray Pearl (Paint Codes MUH).  The paint is beautifully polished and nearly perfect, with only a few small areas of touched up chips or other issues.  The chrome and stainless are all new and highly polished with only a couple of exceptions (door handles and rear trunk trim).  There is one small ding in the driver’s side stainless trim.  The correct optional chrome wire wheels look fantastic and are complimented with wide white walled radials.  The white vinyl convertible top is new as well.

The interior is all new after an investment of approximately $20,000.  The White, Fuchsia and Dark Gray leather (Trim Code 97) is all new and gorgeous.  The black loop carpeting is also new and in perfect condition.  The dashboard shows that this is a Southern California car that has been well loved.  Absent is the pitting of the beautiful chrome throughout the interior.  Rarely do we see convertibles with such a relatively pristine original dashboard and trim.  The odometer shows 96,238 miles, which we believe to be original and correct based on the condition of the car.

The engine compartment is beautifully detailed with its correct 352 CID V8 producing 275 hp through the Twin Ultramatic automatic transmission.  The 275 hp was partially due to the “dual-quad” Rochester carburetors, which was unique to the Caribbean and function well on this example.  The dual exhausts are correctly ported through the rear bumper and produce a wonderful throaty sound.  Underneath the new “modern” body was Packard’s unique torsion bar suspension which was a standard feature and it one of the best riding cars of day.  This Packard feels nice and tight and is mechanically well sorted.  In addition, the convertible top, power seat, power steering, power brakes and power windows work well (the driver’s side rear window channel is tight to put down when the top is up).

We have this Caribbean convertible well priced as the Hagerty No. 2 value is $100,000 and the NADA Value is $105,000.

For more information and details, please call, text or email us at +1.623.404.9042 or sales@classicpromenade.com.  The Caribbean is available for viewing at our Phoenix showroom.

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