Vehicle Description
Designed by Richard Teaque with influence from the 1952 Pan
American experimental sports car, the new 1953 Packard Caribbean
was a mid-year introduction to the market. Clean, understated lines
really make for a beautifully impressive, large convertible with
simplicity reminiscent of a Dutch Darrin design. With a restyled
front end, hood with forward scoop, cut out wheel wells accented
with chrome trim, chrome wire wheels, and rear continental kit, it
was large at eighteen feet long and 4,500 pounds! It would be sold
for $5,200, over one thousand dollars more than the Buick Skylark
it competed against, and only 750 lucky owners would have the
chance to take one home!
We are very pleased to have this opportunity to offer this 1953
Packard Caribbean Convertible finished in Carolina Cream over
Maroon/Cream leather interior and beautiful Cranberry Red Haartz
cloth convertible top. Power comes from its original 327ci-4 barrel
Straight 8-cylinder engine (#L417227) producing 180 horsepower and
300 lb. ft. of torque through a Carter WCFB 4bbl, mated to an
ultra-rare 3-speed column-shift manual transmission. Features on
this example include Packard's revolutionary power steering and
Easamatic power brakes, rebuilt signal-seeking AM radio(added
internal FM frequency) with working power antenna, power folding
top, 4" wide whitewall tires, heat/defrost, and fully carpeted
trunk. A wonderfully kept example having been last owned for the
past decade in a northcentral California collection, exercised
approximately 1,500 miles, and cared for meticulously!
The St. Louis Car Museum had the recent opportunity to acquire this
stunning Caribbean along with a later generation 1956 Caribbean
from another prominent collection. Having both the first and last
examples on display is a special treat for our showroom guests.
Even with the restoration of this particular Caribbean being
completed in 2005, the high-quality results continue to show
exceptionally well today! The paint finish, interior leather, cloth
soft top and boot, and overall exterior chrome show minimal wear
since their professional reconditioning. Additionally, all features
and functions are still operable including the dual spotlights,
radio, power antenna, instrumentation, hydraulic operation of the
top, heater blower fan, and all safety lighting.
It remains remarkable solid with original sheet metal, smooth
chassis, and factory floor pans. All visible date-code components
show factory casting numbers where visible. Measuring this car
against rival counterparts, mainly the 1953 Buick Skylark & 1953
Cadillac Eldorado, it becomes no surprise that these blue-chip
investments have followed suit with increasing market value! With
only 750 well-heeled owners given the opportunity to own them since
their factory offering, fewer still are given the chance to have
one today! Please feel free to call with questions or schedule a
chance to review in person.