Vehicle Description
This 1955 Packard Caribbean Convertible is a low production,
sensational 50s time capsule that is a sure head-turner. What as
once one of the United States' premier auto manufacturers, by 1955,
Packard was on its last legs. Having merged with Studebaker,
forming the Studebaker-Packard Company a year earlier, America's
fourth largest auto maker was in a seriously dire financial
situation. Packard, which was actually a smaller company than
Studebaker at the time of the acquisition, bit off more than it
could chew given Studebaker's significant cash insufficiencies.
Moreover, Packard failed to quickly adapt to the changing times in
the same way that the Big Three had after the war, both on
technological advances (such as the overhead valve V8) and on the
race to the bottom on pricing. Nonetheless, Packard trudged forward
when it released its new-look automobiles on January 17, 1955. The
redesigned Packard line featured new sweeparound windshields and
updated rear fin-like fenders with Packard script, wraparound
parking lights, and cathedral-shaped taillights. Perhaps the most
significant addition to the '55 Packards was the introduction of
the brand new Packard V8 overhead valve engines which were a
welcome upgrade over the straight 8 that Packard had been using for
decades. Of course all of these new revisions came with a
substantial sticker price, with the new Caribbean Convertibles
costing consumers nearly $6,000 and nearly $1,500 more than the
standard Cadillac convertible at the time. This particular '55
Packard Caribbean comes to us from a southern-based Packard
collector who kept the car in his double-digit Packard collection
for a number of years. Under the hood on this 1955 Caribbean
Convertible is a 352 Cubic Inch V8 engine paired with dual 4 barrel
carburetors that are tucked beneath the iconic Batwing Air Cleaner.
The 352 V8 is hooked up to an Ultramatic Automatic Transmission,
ensuring that anybody can take this Tri-Tone convertible for a spin
around the block. Being that Caribbeans were considered Senior
Packards, they came loaded with options! With power steering,
getting in and out of tight spaces are your local drive-in or car
is a breeze. Power brakes makes it easy to bring this '55 Packard
to a stop especially considering that the dual-quad 352 V8 pushed
out 275 horsepower when it was new. Putting the white vinyl power
convertible top up and down is a breeze with the simple flick of a
switch. Riding on wide whitewall bias-ply tires that are wrapped
around chrome wire wheels with Packard hubcaps, this 1955 Caribbean
Convertible has a classic 50s look. The Tri-Tone exterior has been
refinished in White Jade, Zicron Light Blue, and Sapphire Blue
completing the iconic exterior look of this boulevard cruiser. The
front and rear bench seats have been reupholstered in tri-tone
White and Blue Leather that matches the exterior look of the car.
The dash, door panels and steering wheel all appear to be in their
stock configuration. The dash is equipped with a 120 MPH
speedometer, temperature gauge, oil pressure gauge, amp gauge, and
fuel gauge, as well as a clock and AM radio. Whether you're looking
to buy your very first classic car or you're looking to add to your
existing Packard collection, this 1955 Packard Caribbean
Convertible would make an excellent choice. Give us a call
today!
*352 Cubic Inch V8
*Dual 4 Barrel Carburetors
*Ultramatic Drive Automatic Transmission
*Power Steering
*Power Brakes
*White Vinyl Power Convertible Top
*Southern History
*White Jade/Zicron Light Blue/Sapphire Blue Tri-Tone Exterior
*White/Light Blue Leather Bench Seats
*Wide Whitewalls on Chrome Wire Wheels w/ Packard Hubcaps
*Stock Instrumentation
*Odometer Reads: 70,873 Miles
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For more information and a current list of vehicles, call
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