Vehicle Description
This 1955 Packard Caribbean Convertible is a low production,
sensational 50s time capsule that is a sure head-turner. What as
once one of the United States' premier auto manufacturers, by 1955,
Packard was on its last legs. Having merged with Studebaker,
forming the Studebaker-Packard Company a year earlier, America's
fourth largest auto maker was in a seriously dire financial
situation. Packard, which was actually a smaller company than
Studebaker at the time of the acquisition, bit off more than it
could chew given Studebaker's significant cash insufficiencies.
Moreover, Packard failed to quickly adapt to the changing times in
the same way that the Big Three had after the war, both on
technological advances (such as the overhead valve V8) and on the
race to the bottom on pricing. Nonetheless, Packard trudged forward
when it released its new-look automobiles on January 17, 1955. The
redesigned Packard line featured new sweeparound windshields and
updated rear fin-like fenders with Packard script, wraparound
parking lights, and cathedral-shaped taillights. Perhaps the most
significant addition to the '55 Packards was the introduction of
the brand new Packard V8 overhead valve engines which were a
welcome upgrade over the straight 8 that Packard had been using for
decades. Of course all of these new revisions came with a
substantial sticker price, with the new Caribbean Convertibles
costing consumers nearly $6,000 and nearly $1,500 more than the
standard Cadillac convertible at the time. This particular '55
Packard Caribbean comes to us from a southern-based Packard
collector who kept the car in his double-digit Packard collection
for a number of years. Under the hood on this 1955 Caribbean
Convertible is a Numbers Matching 352 Cubic Inch V8 engine paired
with dual 4 barrel carburetors that are tucked beneath the iconic
Batwing Air Cleaner. The 352 V8 is hooked up to an Ultramatic
Automatic Transmission, ensuring that anybody can take this
Tri-Tone convertible for a spin around the block. Being that
Caribbeans were considered Senior Packards, they came loaded with
options! With power steering, getting in and out of tight spaces
are your local drive-in or car is a breeze. Power brakes makes it
easy to bring this '55 Packard to a stop especially considering
that the dual-quad 352 V8 pushed out 275 horsepower when it was
new. Putting the white vinyl power convertible top up and down is a
breeze with the simple flick of a switch. Riding on wide whitewall
bias-ply tires that are wrapped around chrome wire wheels with
Packard hubcaps, this 1955 Caribbean Convertible has a classic 50s
look. The Tri-Tone exterior has been refinished in White Jade,
Zicron Light Blue, and Sapphire Blue completing the iconic exterior
look of this boulevard cruiser. The front and rear bench seats have
been reupholstered in tri-tone White and Blue Leather that matches
the exterior look of the car. The dash, door panels and steering
wheel all appear to be in their stock configuration. The dash is
equipped with a 120 MPH speedometer, temperature gauge, oil
pressure gauge, amp gauge, and fuel gauge, as well as a clock and
AM radio. Whether you're looking to buy your very first classic car
or you're looking to add to your existing Packard collection, this
1955 Packard Caribbean Convertible would make an excellent choice.
Give us a call today!
*Numbers Matching 352 Cubic Inch V8
*Dual 4 Barrel Carburetors
*Ultramatic Drive Automatic Transmission
*Power Steering
*Power Brakes
*White Vinyl Power Convertible Top
*Southern History
*White Jade/Zicron Light Blue/Sapphire Blue Tri-Tone Exterior
*White/Light Blue Leather Bench Seats
*Wide Whitewalls on Chrome Wire Wheels w/ Packard Hubcaps
*Stock Instrumentation
*Odometer Reads: 70,873 Miles
If an inaccurate automobile price is inadvertently listed on this
Website, Seller reserves the right to NOT honor the erroneous
price.
For more information and a current list of vehicles, call
763-428-7337.
