For Sale: 1956 Packard Caribbean in St. Louis, Missouri

The Packard Caribbean was introduced in 1953 as the top-of-the-line convertible model, built exclusively in limited quantities, fully optioned, and expensive! If you passed on a Cadillac Eldorado, it would cost you $1200 more to own the mighty Packard instead. Only 750 were made the first year, with fewer each year thereafter. Late to adopt the V8 architecture under the hood, Packard introduced their 352ci OHV V8 in 1955 fitted with dual 4-barrel carburetion good for 275 horsepower! Again, all power options were standard on the Caribbean with a new electronically controlled, self-leveling front & rear torsion bar suspension system introduced, along with new tri-color exterior paint schemes. Only air conditioning would be optional. For their final year of production in 1956, Packard would introduce a one-year only Caribbean Hardtop. Engine size grew again, now to 374ci to produce 310 horsepower/405 lb. ft. of torque, making it one of the most powerful production cars of that year! Unique to these final year examples also include a combination leather/cloth reversible seat cushions adding a level of adjustable comfort for any climate or just personal preference.

We are very excited to offer this 1956 Packard Caribbean Hardtop finished in correct MTV-code tri-tone Dover White, Naples Orange, and Corsican Black over an all-original interior featuring White/Black/& Vermillion Leather or reversible Gray Boucle Cloth/White & Vermillion Leather seat cushions! It possesses its original 374ci OHV dual-4bbl V8 engine with Ultramatic 3-speed pushbutton automatic transmission and 3.54 rear axle ratio. Fully equipped with all available options from the factory, including very rare air conditioning, past owners have enjoyed power steering and brakes, power windows and 4-way adjustable seat, tinted glass, AM pushbutton radio with twin fender antennas, and classic chrome wire spoke wheels wrapped in wide whitewall tires! Today, it's stunningly original with only one past refinish of the exterior paint remaining remarkably well preserved showing just 54,347 miles on the odometer!

Upon arrival to the St. Louis Car Museum, it was serviced to include draining the fuel tank of older fuel, cleaning both Rochester carburetors, with a new fuel pump and filter installed. The engine received fresh engine oil & filter, new spark plugs, oil pressure switch, new battery, along with a few fresh gaskets and oil seals. The air conditioning system was thoroughly serviced and converted to modern R134a to be functional again for the new owner. The self-leveling suspension was also serviced with a complete suspension bushing kit from Packard Parts Store which included new rear pivot bushings(8), cylinder bracket bushings(2), stabilizer bearings(2), and stabilizer bar bushings(2). We then manually powered and adjusted the electronic starter motor to set the vehicle ride height, and then left the system disconnected. Lastly, we fitted new rearmost mufflers and new tailpipes to the exhaust system.

This remarkable Packard now being offered for the first time after 40+ years in private, southern California ownership in the Miller Family Packard Collection. Only 263 Caribbean Hardtops were produced making them the rarest of post-war Packards you can seek today. This unit represents vehicle #122 of the 263 manufactures before Detroit's finest luxury car manufacture closed its doors forever. Act quickly on this one as you likely not have the chance to find another this well equipped, nor as well preserved anytime in the near future! Thanks for looking!