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The Packard Caribbean is a full-sized luxury car that was made 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. Available only as a convertible from 1953 until 1955 with a hardtop model 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

Development

The domestic "Big Three" automakers were developing "quasi-custom" models.[4] Marketers at the time described them as a "sports car, which usually meant anything with a convertible top, lots of performance, a few unique styling touches, and top-of-the-line price tag.[5]

The image of Packard automobiles during the early 1950s was "perceived as stodgy and old-fashioned."[4] Packard needed a "halo car to cast a modern glow on the marque."[5] The company prepared a concept car, the Packard Pan-American, earning positive reception at auto shows during 1952.[4] The Caribbean was introduced for the 1953 model year as "Packard's sportiest car ... based on the standard Cavalier convertible, with custom touches transforming it into a line-topping stunner."[4]

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 car's entire length. 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.[6]

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 [7]). 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 radio 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 [7]).[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.[6]

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 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 [7])[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.[8] Production for 1955 increased substantially at 9,127 units with a listed retail price of $US5,932 ($60,005 in 2021 dollars [7]).[1]

1956

For the 1956 model year, the Caribbean was designated as a separate luxury series and added a hardtop model. Trim differences between the 1955 and 1956 cars were slight. Grille textures changed to match those ones used on concurrent Patricians, and the rear treatment, featuring Packard's cathedral-style taillights was 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 [7]).

The model was discontinued when Packard production ended in Detroit.

See also

• GAZ-13, Soviet Chaika

References

Sources

• George, Vance- The Packard Club 53-54 Caribbean Roster Keeper

На других языках

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[de] Packard Caribbean

Der Packard Caribbean war ein PKW, den die Packard Motor Car Company in Detroit in den Modelljahren 1953 bis 1956 hergestellt hat.

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- [en] Packard Caribbean

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[it] Packard Caribbean

La Caribbean è un'autovettura costruita dalla Packard dal 1953 al 1956.

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[ru] Packard Caribbean

Packard Caribbean — представительский автомобиль, выпускавшийся компанией Packard в Детройте, штат Мичиган, с 1953 по 1956 годы. Автомобиль выпускался в кузове кабриолета с 1953 по 1955 год, и только в последний, 1956 год, выпускался как хардтоп. Модель 1955 года стала прототипом советского автомобиля ГАЗ-13 «Ча́йка»[источник не указан 525 дней].

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