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 Darrin design. With a restyled front
end, hood with forward scoop, cut out wheel wells accented with
chrome trim, along with chrome wire wheels and rear continental
kit, it was large at eighteen feet long and 4,500 pounds! It would
be sold for $5,500, over one thousand dollars more than the Buick
Skylark it competed against, and only 750 astute buyers would have
the chance take one home!
We are very pleased to have this opportunity to offer this 1953
Packard Caribbean Convertible finished in Carolina Cream over
Red/White interior and Tan Stayfast cloth convertible top. Power
comes from its original 327ci-4 barrel straight 8-cylinder engine
producing 180 horsepower and 300 lb. ft. of torque through a Carter
WCFB 4bbl carburetor, mated to the Ultramatic automatic
transmission. Features on this example include Packard's
revolutionary power steering and Easamatic power-assisted brakes,
Kelsey-Hayes chrome wire spoke wheels, AM radio with power antenna,
hydraulic power folding top & side windows, Coker Classic 8.00-15
wide whitewall tires, continental spare tire, heat/defrost, tinted
window glass, and fully carpeted trunk with interior light.
This incredibly survived Packard Caribbean was professionally
restored cosmetically in the mid-1990's with gorgeous results that
continue to impress today! The engine would be fully machined and
rebuilt internally with new pistons & rings, all new bearings and
valves in 2009. This also included rebuilding the transmission to
exacting standards before both were reinstalled. It has travelled
only 8,200 miles since completion and continues to amaze with its
road-going performance! More recently, the entire braking system
was rebuilt in 2021 with rebuilt brake booster, new wheel
cylinders, shoes, and hard lines. A new battery was installed in
February 2025.
This first year Packard Caribbean is an exclusive part of
automotive luxury design history, and we have found more and more
often that these Caribbean models are locked into long term
collections, likely never to be sold during their owner's
lifetimes. In the case of this example, it was last purchased by
Richard Stephens in 2010 and placed into his incredible Academy of
Art University Collection based in San Francisco, California. It
represents #318/750 produced, and is in such stellar condition
overall! We would say it is one of the nicest we have ever
represented in our showroom! Superb fit and finish with excellent
chrome throughout! A real showstopper you can buy with confidence!
Please call with additional questions or to schedule a chance to
revie it in person! Thanks for looking!
