1955 Packard Caribbean

Description

Based on the concept Pan American convertible that was shown in 1952, Packard introduced the production Caribbean in 1953. Based on a Packard Cavalier body that was heavily modified by the Mitchell-Bentley Corporation of Ionia, Michigan, the car featured a full-width leaded-in hood scoop and “fishtail” rear fenders with horizontal taillights. It also flashed chrome wire wheels and was available with a continental spare tire kit. The elegant and striking automobile was only available as a convertible with a straight-eight engine. 

By its third year in 1955, the Packard Caribbean was a stunning tri-colored drop top, powered by a brand new 352 cubic-inch, 275 horsepower OHV V8 with dual four-barrel carburetors. Every power option was standard, and the car rode on electronically operated, self-leveling torsion bar suspension.  

The '55 Caribbeans were tri-colored, with a wide band that ran the length of the car at waist height, sweeping up over the rear fins to short, twin antennas. “Cathedral window” taillights topped the rear bumper, through which the exhaust exited. Packard limited production to 500 Caribbeans for 1955, and they started at $5,932 (nearly $70,000 today), which was almost $2,000 more than a 1955 Cadillac convertible. 

Highlights 

• Finished in tri-colored White Jade/Jade/Emerald Metallic (Code MAC) paint over matching tri-colored leather/vinyl interior 

• Powered by a 352 cu-in V8, with dual four-barrel carbs, rated at 275 horsepower and 355 lb-ft of torque 

• The chassis number (5588-1036) decodes as: 

  • 55 – 1955 model year 

  • 88 – Caribbean Convertible Coupe 

  • 1036 – Body number: 36th of 500 vehicles of this model produced

• Seven-year frame-off restoration (beginning in 2010) included: 

  • Engine rebuilt by Engine Rebuilding Specialties of Johnstown, Pennsylvania 

  • Transmission rebuilt by Packard specialist Pat Aldrich of Dayton, Ohio 

  • New water pump 

  • New fuel pump 

  • Rebuilt carburetors, generator, and starter 

  • New PerTronix distributor 

  • Rebuilt torsion level motor 

  • Rebuilt Bendix Treadlevac power braking system with remote filler (and translucent housing) installed on firewall 

  • New brake light switch 

  • Rebuilt power steering pump cylinders and controls 

  • Refurbished dash 

  • New upholstery 

  • New carpet 

  • New Superior Tops custom-made convertible top, color matched to interior 

  • New speedometer/odometer 

  • New Steele rubber stripping 

  • New Summit wire wheels 

  • New Coker 235/75R15 wide whitewall tires 

  • New shocks 

  • New stainless exhaust 

  • Refurbished fuel tank 

  • New fuel line with supplement electric pump 

  • Bare metal repaint with urethane primer and two stage paint 

  • Electricals have been redone 

  • Torsion controls upgraded to 1956 specifications 

  • Headlights upgraded to Halogen 

  • Rebuilt radio and speakers (with 6 volt amplifier for mp3 in glove box) 

Features 

• Two-door, rear-wheel-drive convertible coupe 

• Seats six 

• Three-speed Ultramatic automatic transmission 

• Two-tone steering wheel with horn ring 

• Two-tone painted dashboard 

• Instrumentation: 

  • 120 mph speedometer 

  • Coolant temperature 

  • Oil pressure 

  • Fuel level 

  • Generator (amps) 

• Power steering 

• Four-way power seat 

• Power top 

• Power brakes 

• Analog clock 

• AM pushbutton radio 

• Power antenna 

• Heater 

• 12V electrical system 

• Loop pile carpeting 

• Locking glove box 

• Floor mats 

• Door courtesy lights 

• Bat wing air filter 

• Wheelbase: 127 inches 

• Length: 218.5 inches 

• Width: 78 inches 

• Weight: 4,755 pounds 

• Original MSRP: $5,932 

Known Imperfections 

• Vacuum wiper not working (vacuum line leak) 

• Two small scratches on interior paint where convertible top latches 

• Seat vinyl shows wear 

• Small scratches where stainless trim fits at rear of the top 

• Rear vinyl window will not zip   

Included 

• Service manuals 

• Boxes of parts including rebuilt wiper motor, Treadlevac gauges, trim parts 

• Two parts cars available 

Ownership History 

The owner of this stunning 1955 Packard Caribbean purchased it from the American Citizens Packard Museum in Dayton, Ohio, in December 2009. The car needed a lot of work, but he was attracted by its low production number and numbers-matching engine. A seven-year frame-off restoration commenced. "Any deviation from factory specifications — like radial tires, halogen headlights, electronic ignition, MP3 player — were done to allow the car to be returned to its show condition by restoring minor parts.”