Vehicle Description
Wonderfully kept Caribbean that has traded hands only twice in the
past 42 years! Hailing from Tempe, AZ in 1983, it has been with its
last proud owner for the past 33 years! Nicely appointed in classic
red over red/white interior, with all original 327ci L-head
Straight 8 driveline! One of 750 produced making them quite rare
today! 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, 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 that the Buick Skylark it
competed against, and only 750 lucky owners would have the chance
take one home! We are very pleased to have this opportunity to
offer this 1953 Packard Caribbean Convertible finished in Sunset
Red over Red/White interior and brand new White convertible top.
Power comes from its original 327ci-4 barrel straight 8 cylinder
engine producing 180 horsepower and 300 lb. ft. of torque, mated to
the Ultramatic automatic transmission. Features on this example
include Packard's revolutionary power steering and Easamatic power
brakes, AM radio with power antenna, power folding top, wide
whitewall tires, heat/defrost, and fully carpeted trunk. A
wonderfully kept example when located in Tempe, Arizona with 89,000
miles in 1983, it had been in the hands of Sterling Walls since
March 1975. He then sold it to Kenneth Carson who brought it back
to Toledo, Iowa where it would remain for the next 33 years! Having
procured a nice selection of car in his collection over several
decades, Mr. Carson managed to add only 4,700 miles to the odometer
during his ownership. After his passing, the St. Louis Car Museum
had the opportunity to recondition this vehicle with long overdue
maintenance. Since late 2016 to present it has received all new
fluids in the engine, transmission,�& rear end; complete engine
tune up that included rebuilt Carter carburetion, new spark plugs,
plug wires, & points kit from Max Merritt; all new exhaust system;
new battery; fully rebuilt braking system to include 4 fresh wheel
cylinders, hoses & hardware, front & rear shoes & linings, and pin
kit from Packard Industries along with new Bendix power booster &
master cylinder; new updated front idler arm & bracket from Max
Merritt, idler bushing & seal, upper inner control arm bushings;
new shocks; new radiator cap, fresh air ducts, and more! It also
received a brand new convertible top, headliner, and all top frame
weather stripping. It remains remarkable solid with original sheet
metal, smooth chassis, and factory floor pans. All visible
date-code components show castings from late April and early May of
1953. The engine bears unit #L413335. Measuring this car against is
rival counterparts, mainly the 1953 Buick Skylark & 1953 Cadillac
Eldorado, it becomes no surprise that these blue chip investments
have followed suit in 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! Included with the sale of this Caribbean will be ownership
records dating back to 1983, Arizona title copy from 1975, Packard
Club judging sheet from 1987, service manual, and select
publications & related articles. Please feel free to call with
questions or schedule a chance to review in person.
