1953 Packard Caribbean 59269 Miles Packard Cream 327 cubic inch straight-8 2-s

Description

Packard was on the ropes in the 1950s and knew it. They bought Studebaker (not vice-versa, as many believe) but their fortunes didn’t change much. Conservative styling was probably the primary culprit, although a lot of buyers were seeing shot-stroke OHV V8s in competitors’ cars, and while Packard’s straight-8s were impossibly smooth and torquey, there was an image of old tech. To solve the problem, Packard did what Packard did best: create a gorgeous high-end luxury car that combined the... best they had to offer and put it in front of clientele who appreciated such things. And that car was the Packard Caribbean, a bespoke luxury convertible with styling tweaked by the legendary Dick Teague and based on the Packard Cavalier convertible. A continental kit, extra chrome and stainless, a sumptuous leather interior, and a high-output 180 horsepower version of their legendary 327 cubic inch straight-8 all combined to draw customers into Packard showrooms one last time. They were hand-built by the Mitchell-Bentley Corp. in Ionia, Michigan and only 750 were built. With a price tag of $5210, they were among the most expensive cars you could buy, weighing in at a staggering $1400 more than a comparable Cadillac. The Caribbean was built for four years, and each enthusiast has their own favorite style, but a great many believe that the 1953 Caribbean was the purest, most elegant design and the last of the truly great straight-8 Packards. The radiused rear wheel openings are the primary difference and it’s significant—the ’53 looks sporting and lithe, while later cars with skirts tended towards heavy and ponderous. Look at the difference and you’ll see it’s significant. Then there’s the color combination on this car, which is Packard Ivory over red leather, a late addition to the roster and available as special-order only. Some estimates suggest that fewer than 10 (out of 750 total 1953 Caribbeans) were painted this color, making it a highly desirable car among highly desirable cars. In 2012, the car was treated to a bare metal respray and the finish still shows extremely well, with a soft shine that’s entirely appropriate for a product of the 1950s. Gaps are very good, and yes, that hood scoop—which was hand-fashioned out of lead on the assembly line—looks better than ever. Most of the chrome was refinished at that same time and shows beautifully today, particularly the distinctive trim around the wheel arches and along the sills. The Caribbean also wears unique chrome details along the belt line and on the rear quarters, forming miniature tail fins before such things were truly fashionable. The result is a car that looks fantastic from any angle. The red leather interior is exactly the right choice with the Ivory bodywork, creating a flashy yet sophisticated contrast that feels sporting not dated. The hides are in great condition with only minimal signs of use and no tears, splits, or scuffs on the seating surfaces. Matching red carpets are deep and plush, helping to keep the interior quiet and comfortable and the simple door panels are an exercise in good taste and restraint. The standard Packard dashboard puts a three-gauge pod ahead of the driver, and this car carries original, unrestored gauges that are the only part of the interior that hasn’t been freshened. The clock and speedometer are not working, but things like the innovative warning lights, heater/defroster, and even the power antenna are fully operational. The big ivory plastic steering wheel has obviously been restored and shows quite well with no cracking and the horn ring looks good, showing only very, very minor pitting that suggests it’s original. Packard logo floor mats protect those plush carpets and this car is equipped with optional power windows that all go up and down easily. There’s also a black canvas power convertible top that folds easily and stows under a matching black boot, and we have to admit that this is one great-looking convertible. The trunk is positively massive and has been trimmed with matching red carpets—note that the spare tire well is still in place but obviously the spare tire is on the rear bumper in the continental kit. There are a lot of folks who believe that a Packard isn’t a Packard without a straight-8 engine under the hood, and the ultra-smooth and surprisingly powerful 327 cubic inch straight-8 used in 1953 is a great runner. With a 4-barrel carburetor and a rather 8.0:1 compression ratio, it makes 180 of the most creamy-smooth horsepower you’ve ever experienced. Perhaps even more significantly, there’s 300 pounds of torque on tap at just 2000 RPM. There’s nary a vibration or shudder and effortless torque at any speed. That’s what owning a Packard is all about. The engine was rebuilt to stock specifications in 2012 and has not been driven much since then so it’s still very fresh. It starts quickly and easily with the accelerator pedal-mounted starter switch and idles smoothly and almost silently after a few moments on the choke. Corporate gray engine enamel is a little industrial for the high-end Caribbean, but that’s how it was in 1953. There are new ignition components, fresh belts and hoses, and the hydraulic pump for the windows and top was rebuilt. The heavy-duty oil bath air cleaner looks right and you’ll note power steering is part of the deal, making this Packard extremely easy to handle. We don’t believe the body has ever been off the frame, but on a clean car it’s not really necessary. The chassis is coated in a layer of black undercoating, presumably to seal and protect rather than hide, and we can’t find any evidence of rot or previous damage. There are minor signs of use, but it’s quite clean overall and someone has obviously been sweating the details in the mechanics department—there are new components on the power steering system, fresh shocks at all four corners, the brakes show newer hoses and stop firmly, and a correct reproduction exhaust system (with two mufflers) was just installed. Packard’s “UltraMatic” 2-speed automatic transmission isn’t sophisticated but it’s durable and smooth, and the smooth straight-8 makes so much torque that it rarely needs a downshift. 3.54 gears in the rear axle make this car feel quick and lively around town despite its rather hefty 4100-pound curb weight and it’s a smooth, comfortable cruiser at 65 MPH. Gorgeous chrome wire wheels (not hubcaps) look properly upscale and carry recent 225/75/15 wide whitewall radials that really upgrade the ride and handling. Beautiful to look at and delightful to drive, the Caribbean embodies all the traditional Packard values that make the marque so special. Look carefully and see if you don’t agree that this is one of Packard’s great works and it certainly doesn’t look like a car built by a company that knew the end was coming. With a rare color combination and great road manners, this will quickly become one of your favorite cars to drive. Call today!