To Be OFFERED AT AUCTION WITHOUT RESERVE at RM Sothebys' The Guyton
Collection event, 4 - 5 May 2019.
Estimate:
$50,000 - $75,000
- One of just 750 limited-production Caribbeans built for
1953
- Former Antique Automobile Club of America (AACA) National Prize
Winner in 1993
- Well-preserved award-winning restoration
- Highly desirable model among Packard collectors
- Includes original owner's manual and 1953 Packard brochure
Packard showcased its experimental Pan American created by Henney
at the New York Auto Show for the 1952 model year. The company also
hired fashion and design consultant Dorothy Draper to create
colorful new interiors, notably two-tone, throughout its model
lineup. One year later, Packard introduced the Caribbean, a
limited-production convertible styled by Dick Teague who got his
inspiration from the Pan American show car. This was essentially
Packard's answer to the Cadillac Eldorado, also introduced in 1953.
At $5,210, just 750 were produced that first year, outselling the
Eldorado which registered near-equally small 532 sales.
The Caribbean was built on the 122-in. wheelbase chassis of the
basic Packard convertible body and modified by the Mitchell-Bentley
Corp. of Ionia, Michigan. Included was a full-leather interior;
chrome Kelsey-Hayes wire wheels; enlarged wheel openings with
flared lips; full-length, full-width hood scoop; de-chromed body;
horizontal tail lights; integrated 'fishtail' rear fender
treatment; front and rear chrome wheel well moldings; continental
spare tire; and a special custom paint finish. New four-barrel
carburetion on Packard's venerable 327 straight eight boosted
horsepower to 180.
Finished in a lovely combination of light blue with a white
convertible roof over a blue and white leather interior, like all
Caribbeans, this is equipped with power steering, power brakes,
power convertible roof, radio with power antenna, heater, and
automatic transmission. It is fitted with seat belts for added
safety on the road. Outside, the Caribbean is fitted with standard
chrome wire wheels with period-correct wide-whitewall tires and
continental spare at the rear.
An owner's manual and 1953 Packard brochure along with photos of
the car during restoration are included in the sale. Though the
exact date of the restoration is unclear, Mr. Guyton purchased this
car on 1 September 1998 from its former owner, Eldon McKinely of
Venice, Florida. The car was restored at that time. It wears an
AACA National First Prize badge from 1993.
To view this car and others currently consigned to this auction,
please visit the RM website at rmsothebys.com/en/auctions/gc19.
