This 1953 Packard Caribbean convertible is one of 750 examples
produced for the model year and underwent a body on restoration in
2014. Finished in Matador Maroon over maroon and white leather, the
car is powered by a 327ci inline-eight that breathes through a
Carter four-barrel carburetor and is mated to a two-speed
Ultramatic automatic transmission. Additional features include
power-assisted drum brakes, power steering, a Continental-style
spare tire, a hydraulically assisted white convertible top, and a
push-button AM radio. This Caribbean was purchased by its current
owner in 2022 and is now offered with owners manuals, invoices
dating back to 2019, and a custom car cover. The Caribbean was
based on the Pan-American concept car of 1952. Packard 2631 Series
bodies were sent from Detroit to the Mitchell-Bentley Corporation
of Ionia, Michigan, for modifications including a hood scoop,
chrome beltline and rocker trim, quad horizontal taillights with
fishtail rear fender treatments, a Continental-style spare wheel in
a body-color cover, and enlarged wheel openings with chrome trim
and 1953-model-year-only radiused rear wheel arches. This example
is finished in Matador Maroon and benefitted from an award-winning
restoration in 2014. Features include chrome bumpers, a
fender-mounted antenna, dual side mirrors, and a white convertible
top that is operated via a hydraulic pump that was replaced during
a refresh performed in preparation for the sale. All the hydraulics
work well except the driver-side window drops down over time. Also,
the spare-wheel-carrier release button is included but not
installed. The 15 chrome wire wheels wear Packard center caps and
are mounted with General wide-whitewall tires, while a matching
spare is mounted under a steel body-color cover at the rear of the
car. Stopping is handled by power-assisted Easamatic four-wheel
drum brakes that were refreshed between 2019 and 2020 with work
including a rebuild of the Treadlvac unit and replacement of the
rear wheel cylinders. The cabin is trimmed in Matador Maroon and
White leather over front and rear bench seats with matching trim
over the door panels and rear side panels. Additional features
include maroon carpeting, hydraulically operated power windows, a
lockable glovebox, a heater, and a push-button radio. The heater
control valve was replaced in 2021. Scratches are noted in the
finish near the instrument cluster. The ivory-color two-spoke
steering wheel frames an engine-turned instrument panel housing a
110-mph speedometer, gauges for fuel level and coolant temperature,
and a clock. The five-digit odometer shows 53k miles, approximately
50 of which were added under current ownership. The speedometer was
rebuilt in 2020, at which time the clock was repaired. The 327ci
Thunderbolt straight-eight features a Carter four-barrel carburetor
and was factory rated at 180 horsepower. The carburetor was rebuilt
during the refresh performed between 2019 and 2020, which also
included the replacement of the fuel pump. Power is sent to the
rear wheels via a two-speed Ultramatic automatic transmission that
was overhauled in 2020. The coil-sprung independent suspension and
steering system were refreshed between 2019 and 2020. For more
information and details, please call or text Harry Clark at
1.602.245.7200 or email us at
[email protected]. The
Packard is available for inspection at our showroom in Phoenix. We
are pleased to coordinate inspections, and we help coordinate
shipping worldwide. We also have financing partners if you are
interested in financing.
