1955 Packard Caribbean Convertible, 1 of 500, Tri-tone, 352, Power! 150 Photos

1955 Packard Caribbean Convertible

If you took it to a local car cruise, you would likely have the only one. If you add it to your collection, it may be one of the more unique models you possess and is the ultimate statement piece. MotoeXotica Classic Cars is very proud to present this exquisite 1955 Packard Caribbean Convertible! It was Packard's flagship model and this example is just one of 500 Caribbeans made for 1955, the final year of the convertible-only Caribbeans. All Caribbeans were heavily optioned with power everything including Packard's torsion level suspension and the new Twin Ultramatic automatic transmission.

Dressed in a stunning three-tone paint scheme of a White Jade, Jade and Emerald (code MAC), this car's paint and trim are in excellent condition. Its wraparound windshield and other glass panels are in fine order, clear and crack-free, however the windshield wipers are inoperable. The car's lights are in very good order, no haze and intact. This Packard rolls on tru-spoke wire wheels with American Classic wide whitewall tires, size 235/75R15, at all four corners. The tires and wheels are in overall very good order.

The Caribbean's bodywork looks great and is straight and solid, the engine bay is immaculate, the battery appears fresh, the trunk is in good order and the bumpers fit well to the car's body, including the Dagmar up front.

Beneath the hood is Packard's 352 CID V-8 engine and hooked to an Ultramatic two-speed automatic transmission. Driver convenience features in this car include power brakes, power front seat and power windows. A different sort of suspension underpins this Packard. Instead of the competition's coil springs up front and leaf springs in the rear, Packard opted to use several nine-foot long torsion bars, bars that twist, to resist rear-end squat on fast acceleration and front-end dive on hard braking. The company also claimed the torsion bars help keep the car's body level, regardless of passenger or cargo load and both front and rear ends came with independent stabilizers to reduce body rolls in turns and "porpoising" or side sway. "Beats riding on air!" the company's literature boasted at the time. Driver convenience features include power steering, power brakes, power front seat and power windows.

Inside, the car boasts a striking tri-tone interior, white, light green and dark green (code 93). The bench seats are in excellent order, as is the dark green carpet. The green instrument panel, with its full instrumentation, is in top-notch condition, however the odometer is inoperable. The factory two-spoke steering wheel is present and looks fantastic. The inner door panels are in very good order while the mirror glass and shift lever are in good shape. Completing the interior is a factory AM Selector Radio with three-way tuning.

Model year 1955 saw the Caribbean line, now with V-8 engine, fully adopted the Senior Packard line styling; the car was also available in two or three-tone paint patterns. Designer Richard Teague succeeded in restyling the old Packard Senior body into a sensational, modern-looking design. The single hood scoop was split into two units but trunk lid and handle are carried-over from previous series. Trunk lid is shorter than those on closed cars to accommodate convertible stack - as is windshield. Hood is distinguished from other Packard/Clipper models by a pair of stampings that terminate in faux scoops, and a prop rod is provided. While PACKARD is spelled out in chrome letters across the hood of other Packard models, they are not used here (though the inner hood reinforcement has provision for them). Ribbed stainless side trim is not used, creating a third area for exterior color - available in four standard tri-tone paint schemes, though other color combinations could be ordered. Gas door molding necessitates finger cove in upsweep molding. Interior trim is typically color-coordinated to exterior paint colors - including a headlining for convertible top. Fender skirts and lower body moldings are standard. Cathedral-style taillights are an instant classic. Dual rear radio antennae are standard (though only one provides signal to receiver). All exterior script plates are gold-plated, but none are used on trunk lid.

Competition to this Packard in 1955 included Cadillac's Eldorado, Chrysler's New Yorker Deluxe and Lincoln's Capri convertibles.

This car is currently located at our facility in St. Louis, Missouri. Current mileage on the odometer shows 36,336 miles. It is sold as is, where is, on a clean and clear, mileage exempt title. GET OUT AND DRIVE!!!

Click here for our YouTube video of the Caribbean!

VIN: 55881466

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