https://barnfinds.com/1-of-276-1956-...letter+(Daily)
(snippet copy, see link for complete article with pic's)
AUG 14, 2020 • FOR SALE • 24 COMMENTS
1 of 276: 1956 Packard Caribbean Garage Find!
Russ Dixon
For 1956, the Caribbean was the top-of-the-line Packard. And the last built in Detroit. For 1957, production was consolidated with Studebaker in South Bend and the 58-year-old marque would begin to fade away. The 1957-58 Packards were simply redressed Stubebakers. This 1956 Caribbean convertible is said to be a garage find where it looks to have been sitting under a tarp. The seller suggests it might not take a lot to get it running again. Located in Cicero, Indiana, the car is available here on eBay where it’s listed with no reserve!
Both Packard and Studebaker were having their own financial woes at the mid-point of the 20th Century and joined forces in 1953 to become Studebaker-Packard Corporation. At least for the Packard camp, this move only postponed the inevitable and the brand disappeared altogether in 1958 after masquerading as Studebakers for the past two years. The 1956 Packards were the last of the real deal.
The Caribbean was a personal luxury car produced by Packard from 1953-56 and got some of its styling cues from the Pan American Packard show car in 1952. At first, it was only available as a convertible, but a hardtop was added for the final year of production. Interiors of the Caribbean were upholstered in leather and the cars were loaded with goodies, like the push-button Ultramatic transmission and power windows. For the final year of the Caribbean, it saw just 263 hardtops and 276 convertibles built.
We’re only treated to one photo of the exterior of the seller’s car, so the paint looks pretty tired, but the ginormous chrome bumper and glass may be okay. The Caribbean appears to have been finished in a trio combination of Dover White/Scottish Heather/Adriatic Blue Metallic. We only see a portion of the convertible top and it doesn’t appear to have any issues, but the tarp covers much of it.
The engine under the hood should be Packard’s 374 cubic inch with dual 4-barrel carb that put out 310 hp. This configuration was only available in the Caribbean for 1956. The seller may have tried to get it going as we’re told that rust in the fuel lines is the only known problem. But if it’s not running, how do we know what other issues there are from sitting? We’re told the odometer reading is about 73,000 miles.
What we can see of the interior seems to have held up. We don’t get to see much of the front seat, but the leather in the back looks fairly good. And one door panel, steering wheel and dashboard seem okay. We’re not sure about the floor coverings and the condition of the trunk floor. Lots of badly worn boxes and parts as well as a second spare tire tend to cover things up.
Any way you cut it, this car will require a restoration, but it’s hard to tell how far that has to go with the lack of good visuals. For the four-year run of the Caribbean, the 1953 (first year) model seems to generate the most collector interest and six-figures for a spotless copy is not unheard of. Hagerty says a Concours 1956 hardtop should be worth $40,000, so the ragtop would be higher.
MORE: CARIBBEAN / PACKARD
(snippet copy, see link for complete article with pic's)
AUG 14, 2020 • FOR SALE • 24 COMMENTS
1 of 276: 1956 Packard Caribbean Garage Find!
Russ Dixon
For 1956, the Caribbean was the top-of-the-line Packard. And the last built in Detroit. For 1957, production was consolidated with Studebaker in South Bend and the 58-year-old marque would begin to fade away. The 1957-58 Packards were simply redressed Stubebakers. This 1956 Caribbean convertible is said to be a garage find where it looks to have been sitting under a tarp. The seller suggests it might not take a lot to get it running again. Located in Cicero, Indiana, the car is available here on eBay where it’s listed with no reserve!
Both Packard and Studebaker were having their own financial woes at the mid-point of the 20th Century and joined forces in 1953 to become Studebaker-Packard Corporation. At least for the Packard camp, this move only postponed the inevitable and the brand disappeared altogether in 1958 after masquerading as Studebakers for the past two years. The 1956 Packards were the last of the real deal.
The Caribbean was a personal luxury car produced by Packard from 1953-56 and got some of its styling cues from the Pan American Packard show car in 1952. At first, it was only available as a convertible, but a hardtop was added for the final year of production. Interiors of the Caribbean were upholstered in leather and the cars were loaded with goodies, like the push-button Ultramatic transmission and power windows. For the final year of the Caribbean, it saw just 263 hardtops and 276 convertibles built.
We’re only treated to one photo of the exterior of the seller’s car, so the paint looks pretty tired, but the ginormous chrome bumper and glass may be okay. The Caribbean appears to have been finished in a trio combination of Dover White/Scottish Heather/Adriatic Blue Metallic. We only see a portion of the convertible top and it doesn’t appear to have any issues, but the tarp covers much of it.
The engine under the hood should be Packard’s 374 cubic inch with dual 4-barrel carb that put out 310 hp. This configuration was only available in the Caribbean for 1956. The seller may have tried to get it going as we’re told that rust in the fuel lines is the only known problem. But if it’s not running, how do we know what other issues there are from sitting? We’re told the odometer reading is about 73,000 miles.
What we can see of the interior seems to have held up. We don’t get to see much of the front seat, but the leather in the back looks fairly good. And one door panel, steering wheel and dashboard seem okay. We’re not sure about the floor coverings and the condition of the trunk floor. Lots of badly worn boxes and parts as well as a second spare tire tend to cover things up.
Any way you cut it, this car will require a restoration, but it’s hard to tell how far that has to go with the lack of good visuals. For the four-year run of the Caribbean, the 1953 (first year) model seems to generate the most collector interest and six-figures for a spotless copy is not unheard of. Hagerty says a Concours 1956 hardtop should be worth $40,000, so the ragtop would be higher.
MORE: CARIBBEAN / PACKARD
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