1955 Packard "Caribbean Convertible"
Specifications
Engine: V8
Displacement: 352 cu. in./5.77 L
Horsepower: 275 hp at 4,800 RPM
Torque: 355 lb. ft.
Transmission: 4-speed automatic
A Little History
The Caribbean was introduced in November of 1952 for the 1953 model year, after James N. Nance took over as CEO for the elderly Hugh Ferry in May of the same year. It is considered the last luxury car the brand ever produced. Prior to World War II, the Packard brand name evoked thoughts of the 12-cylinder luxury automobiles. After World War II, however, the executives made the fatal decision to start selling a cheaper model alongside the high-end, independently-built cars they offered before the war. Those who could afford a real Packard were insulted, and those who couldn’t still felt that the name was above them and didn’t buy Packards anyway. After Nance took over as CEO, he made it his goal to bring life back to the Packard brand through the release of the Caribbean. It was a glamorous convertible derived from the Pan American concept car, and would end up outselling the Cadillac Eldorado, also released that year. Unfortunately, despite the generally positive reviews of the Caribbean, Packard only produced them through 1956, and closed its doors forever in 1958. The purchase of Studebaker in 1954 punctured even more holes in the already-frail Packard company, causing problems from which they could not recover.
The Design
Our Caribbean is finished in the tri-tone colors of Jade White, Fire Opal Red, and Onyx. The car came equipped with many options that were expensive additions for other manufacturers, including: power steering, power brakes, power window lifts, a power front seat, a power-operated soft top, a signal-seeking radio, and leather upholstery. It also has the factory-optional chrome wire wheels, wide white wall tires, and accessory dual spotlights.
Did you know?
The Caribbean Convertible cost $5,932 from new, which was a couple thousand dollars above the average convertible sales price at the time.
There were only around 500 total Caribbeans made in 1955.
