1953 Packard Caribbean

Designed by Richard Teaque with influence from the 1952 Pan American experimental sports car, the new 1953 Packard Caribbean was a mid-year introduction to the market. Clean, understated lines really make for a beautifully impressive, large convertible with simplicity reminiscent of a Darrin design. With a restyled front end, hood with forward scoop, cut out wheel wells accented with chrome trim, along with chrome wire wheels and rear continental kit, it was large at eighteen feet long and 4,500 pounds! It would be sold for $5,500, over one thousand dollars more than the Buick Skylark it competed against, and only 750 astute buyers would have the chance take one home! We are very pleased to have this opportunity to offer this 1953 Packard Caribbean Convertible finished in Carolina Cream over Red/White interior and Tan Stayfast cloth convertible top. Power comes from its original 327ci-4 barrel straight 8-cylinder engine producing 180 horsepower and 300 lb. ft. of torque through a Carter WCFB 4bbl carburetor, mated to the Ultramatic automatic transmission. Features on this example include Packards revolutionary power steering and Easamatic power-assisted brakes, Kelsey-Hayes chrome wire spoke wheels, AM radio with power antenna, hydraulic power folding top & side windows, Coker Classic 8.00-15 wide whitewall tires, continental spare tire, heat/defrost, tinted window glass, and fully carpeted trunk with interior light. This incredibly survived Packard Caribbean was professionally restored cosmetically in the mid-1990s with gorgeous results that continue to impress today! The engine would be fully machined and rebuilt internally with new pistons & rings, all new bearings and valves in 2009. This also included rebuilding the transmission to exacting standards before both were reinstalled. It has travelled only 8,200 miles since completion and continues to amaze with its road-going performance! More recently, the entire braking system was rebuilt in 2021 with rebuilt brake booster, new wheel cylinders, shoes, and hard lines. A new battery was installed in February 2025. This first year Packard Caribbean is an exclusive part of automotive luxury design history, and we have found more and more often that these Caribbean models are locked into long term collections, likely never to be sold during their owners lifetimes. In the case of this example, it was last purchased by Richard Stephens in 2010 and placed into his incredible Academy of Art University Collection based in San Francisco, California. It represents #318/750 produced, and is in such stellar condition overall! We would say it is one of the nicest we have ever represented in our showroom! Superb fit and finish with excellent chrome throughout! A real showstopper you can buy with confidence! Please call with additional questions or to schedule a chance to revie it in person! Thanks for looking!