1956 Packard Caribbean

The '56 Caribbean was the most potent, most advanced convertible in Packard history. Sadly, it was also the last.

The 1956 Packard Caribbean was the last "real" packard

The 1956 Packard Caribbeans evolved from the nearly all-new '55s that were created with scarce funds in a crisis atmosphere. But an amazingly adept restyle successfully modernized vintage-'51 bodies, and Packard introduced its first V-8, an improved Ultramatic transmission, and a new "Torsion Level" suspension providing truly extraordinary ride and handling. Trouble was, new partner Studebaker was fast dragging Packard toward oblivion, so 1956 would be the finale for "real" Packards.

The 1956 Packard Caribbean's 374 cubic-inch V-8 engine delivered 310 horsepower.

Among them was the last edition of the top-line Caribbean convertible, priced at $5995 and newly partnered by a $5495 hardtop coupe. Both carried a V-8 enlarged to 374 cubic inches and 310 thumping horsepower, plus most every known luxury-class amenity, including new front seat covers that reversed from cloth to leather. But Packard was looking terminal, and no '56 sold well. The ragtop Caribbean managed just 276 copies before a two-year run of halfhearted "Packardbakers" ended the life of a once-great make.

The 1956 Packard Caribbean's seat covers were reversible, from cloth to leather.

More about → 1956 Packard Caribbean

1954 Packard Caribbean

When the once-mighty Packard released its 1953 Packard Caribbean, sporty cars weren't attracting many sales in the '50s. However, they sure attracted buyer attention that helped move less interesting stuff. The brainchild of new company president James Nance, the flashy, top-line 1953 Packard Caribbean convertible was part of his effort to restore Packard's pure-luxury image and thus boost sales after years of decline from an over-reliance on medium-price cars.

The 1954 Packard Caribbean was designed for an elite audience,
which crippled its sales.

The Caribbean borrowed visual cues from the earlier two-seat Pan American show car, but was a full six-passenger model derived from Packard's standard convertible. That meant the same 122-inch wheelbase as Clippers and lesser Packards, so the Caribbean wasn't as impressive as it could have been, though its 327-cubic-inch straight-eight engine was shared with the longer "senior" models. Designers ladled on fully radiused wheel cutouts, air-scoop hood, jaunty "continental" spare tire, wire wheels, even tiny bright tailfins.

Still, the basic design was two years old, while the price was a towering $5210 -- $1000 more than a ragtop Cadillac 62. That was supposed to give the Caribbean an air of exclusivity, and it did. Only 750 buyers stepped up.

The 1954 Packard Caribbean had plenty of luxury features, with a luxury price tag.

For 1954 the Caribbean added flat-top rear wheel arches (for a longer look) and standard two-tone paint, radio, heater, power seats, and power windows. What's more, its engine was pushed to 359 cid and 212 horsepower -- America's most potent postwar straight eight -- while price was optimistically pushed to $6100. "There is no more glamorous car than the new Packard Caribbean," brochures exclaimed. "The swank continental look will turn all eyes." But the '54 found only 400 buyers as total Packard sales dropped some two-thirds. And even worse was yet to come. 

More about → 1954 Packard Caribbean