The Packard Caribbean was produced from 1953 through 1956. It’s glamorous sporty styling was derived from the 1952 Packard Pan American concept car created for the 1952 auto shows. Built only as a convertible from 1953 to 1955, the Caribbean added a hardtop model in its final year of production. The Caribbean has become a sought after collector car, their limited production numbers has driven the price of restored examples into six figures. The Packard Caribbeans you see here are all cars we have worked on in our shop.
1953
The 1953 Caribbean was based on the mid-level Cavalier convertible made sporty with it’s own unique styling features including full width
hood scoop, fully exposed rear wheels with flared fenders, chrome spoked wheels and chrome trim outlining the bottom of the car. A continental spare tire and leather upholstery were standard. Limited one-color paint choices were available, with black and ivory being special order colors. The 53 Caribbean was powered by the 180-hp, 327-cid straight-eight engine. Priced at $5,210 it was almost $2,000 more than the Cavalier convertible, and $1,400 more than a Cadillac convertible.
A total of 750 Packard Caribbean convertibles were built in 1953.
1954
In 1954 the Caribbean was elevated to top of the line “senior” Packard status. Power was supplied by Packard’s 359-cubic-inch, (5,880 cc) straight eight engine producing 212 hp. The Caribbean continued to have its own unique styling features. The fully exposed rear-wheels of the 53 were replaced by fenders covering half the rear-wheel, while additional chrome/stainless trim, allowed for two-tone paint combinations over the fenders. Standard equipment included power steering, power brakes, windshield washers, white-wall tires, power windows, power seat, dual heaters and defrosters, three-way radio with electric antenna, continental spare tire and chrome wire wheels. Options included a four-way power seat. Like the senior Patrician, the Caribbean sported "finned" headlight housings, one of the design elements applied to help distinguish the senior Packards from lower priced models.
A total of only 400 1954 Caribbeans were produced.
1955
The Packard Caribbean for 1955 was totally restyled on the 127-inch 
senior Packard wheelbase. Gone were the rounded curves of the 51-54 convertible body style, in favor of an angular more modern looking design. The distinctive single hood scoop became dual faux scoops. Chrome trim divided up the large side panels giving way to tri-colored paint schemes. Large cathedral style taillights, gold plated script plates and dual power antennae (only 1 actually connected to the radio) made the Caribbean stand out in the crowd. 1955 saw the introduction of Packard’s first V-8, a 352-CI engine with two four-barrel carburetors producing 275 HP. All Caribbeans were heavily optioned with power everything including Packard's torsion level suspension and the new Twin Ultramatic automatic transmission.
Production for 1955 was 500 units.
1956
The 1956 Caribbean convertible with its 374 CI V-8 producing 310 HP was Packard’s most powerful car ever built and sadly the last. A limited production 2-door hardtop joined the luxurious convertible. Standard equipment included reversible seat cushions (1 side leather, the other cloth), and a push-button automatic transmission controlled by a steering column mounted pod and 
Packard's 4-wheel torsion level suspension. Styling and trim differences between the 1955 and 1956 cars were minimal and tri-tone paint schemes became standard. Grille patterns changed, and now matched the ones used on Packard’s senior Patricians. The headlights received a slightly more exaggerated brow making the car appear longer. Total 1956 production equaled 263 hardtops and 276 convertibles.
