Makes › Packard › Caribbean › Caribbean Convertible (1953) · Rare production · 1953 Very Rare
Packard
Caribbean Convertible (1953)
First Caribbean: Mitchell-Bentley-converted specialty convertible (body #2678)
Still being researched: full specifications. Everything shown is checked against the cited sources. Know more? Send us a source.
Photo: Mr.choppers · CC BY-SA 3.0
Contents
01Overview
At a glance
- Built
- 750 Built
- Years
- 1953
- Engine
- Front-mounted straight-eight
- Power
- Not yet verified
- Top speed
- Not yet verified
- Body
- Not yet verified
- Designer
- Not yet verified
- In this archive
- Not yet verified
- Surviving
- Not yet verified
Sources and any conflicting figures are in the sections below.
Why it matters
The first Caribbean was Packard's halo convertible, derived from the 1952 Pan American show car, and it outsold the rival Cadillac Eldorado, Buick Skylark and Oldsmobile Fiesta in its first year. It is considered the last luxury car the brand ever built.
How rare is it?
Six separate kinds of rarity – never combined into one number.
Each kind of rarity is rated separately and never combined.
Photos
Exterior, interior and detail photos with their licences.
Packard Caribbean Convertible (1953) (Wikimedia Commons: Category:1953 Packard Caribbean)
Photo: Mr.choppers · CC BY-SA 3.0
Packard Caribbean Convertible (1953) (Wikimedia Commons: Packard Caribbean)
Photo: JOHN LLOYD from Concrete, Washington, United States · CC BY 2.0
.jpg){kind=link}
02Production & history
Production
Every figure says what it counts.
| What is counted | Figure | Basis | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total model productionvehicles of this body number produced | 7501 | Factory production | Independently researched |
Independent counts (e.g. engine and colour) are never combined into a calculated figure. Surviving examples are never presented as original production.
History
The Caribbean was introduced in November 1952 for the 1953 model year, after James Nance became Packard's CEO in May of that year and set out to revive the brand. It was based on the standard Cavalier convertible, with custom touches that transformed it into the line-topping model.
Variants
How each version differs from the standard Caribbean Convertible (1953).
No variants documented yet. Have a source? Contribute it.
03Specifications
Technical specifications
Engine
| Engine family | Not yet verified |
|---|---|
| Engine code | Not yet verified |
| Layout | Front-mounted straight-eight2 Independently researchedInferred from the statement that the straight eight "grew" to 359 cu in for 1954; 1953 displacement is not given in the cached pages. |
| Displacement | Not yet verified |
| Bore | Not yet verified |
| Stroke | Not yet verified |
| Compression ratio | Not yet verified |
| Fuel system | Not yet verified |
| Power | Not yet verified |
| Power at | Not yet verified |
| Torque | Not yet verified |
Transmission & drivetrain
| Gearbox | Not yet verified |
|---|---|
| Gears | Not yet verified |
| Driven wheels | Not yet verified |
Chassis, body & dimensions
| Chassis | Not yet verified |
|---|---|
| Front suspension | Not yet verified |
| Rear suspension | Not yet verified |
| Brakes | Not yet verified |
| Steering | Not yet verified |
| Body construction | Not yet verified |
| Wheelbase | Not yet verified |
| Length | Not yet verified |
| Width | Not yet verified |
| Height | Not yet verified |
| Front track | Not yet verified |
| Rear track | Not yet verified |
| Kerb weight | Not yet verified |
| Dry weight | Not yet verified |
Performance
| Maximum speed | Not yet verified |
|---|---|
| 0–100 km/h | Not yet verified |
| Fuel tank | Not yet verified |
“Not yet verified” means no source has been checked for that value yet. Nothing is estimated to fill a gap.
04Colours & options
Factory colours & interiors
Original paint and trim, with the number of cars in each where a source gives it.
Not yet documented. Have a source? Contribute it.
Factory options & codes
Codes are shown exactly as written by the manufacturer.
Not yet documented. Have a source? Contribute it.
05Individual cars
Chassis register
Every documented car, with its colours, history and where it is now. Open a row for the full record. Known chassis are not automatically authenticated originals.
Not yet documented. Have a source? Contribute it.
Competition history
Every race result of the individual cars, in date order. Click a chassis number to open its full record in the register.
Not yet documented. Have a source? Contribute it.
Auction & sale history
Documented public sales of the individual cars. Click a chassis number to open its full record in the register.
Not yet documented. Have a source? Contribute it.
See one in person
Museums where an example of this car can be seen.
No example is documented on public display yet. Have a source? Contribute it.
06Reference
Identification guide
How to tell an original from a replica or later conversion.
Being verified against factory or registry sources before it is published. Have a source? Contribute it.
Sources
Each number links to the exact facts it supports.
-
1
PackardInfo.com – Packard model registry, model page 138 Level C
- 750 vehicles of this body number produced
-
2
Collectible Classic: 1953-1956 Packard Caribbean Level C Bob Merlis · Automobile Magazine / MotorTrend · 2008-03-07
- straight eight grew to 359 cubic inches
Keep exploring
More from Packard
-
Packard · 1934
Twelve Sport Coupe by LeBaron (1106)
4 Built
-
Packard · 1940–1942
Darrin Convertible Victoria (One Twenty / One Eighty Custom Super Eight)
100 Built
-
Packard · 1930
734 Speedster Eight
113 Built
-
Packard · 1956
Caribbean (1956)
263 Built
More from United States
-
Studebaker
Power Hawk
Production not yet verified
-
Chevrolet · 1970–1972
Camaro Z/28 (1970–1972)
4,862 Built
-
Oldsmobile · 1970
Rallye 350 (W-45) (1970)
Production not yet verified
-
Ford · 1969
Mustang Boss 302 Trans-Am (Shelby team, 1969)
3 Built
141 other makes from United StatesAC PropulsionAcuraAllstateAMCAmerican LaFranceAmerican MotorsAmerican UnderslungApteraArmstrongArnoltAuburnBaldwin-MotionBantamBarris KustomsBendixBerger ChevroletBill ThomasBollingerBremerBuckeyeBuffumBuickCadillacCallawayCastleCheckerChevroletChristieChryslerClenetCodaColumbiaConsulierCordCunninghamCzingerDana ChevroletDean JeffriesDeSotoDetroit ElectricAll makes →