In 1952, James J. Nance became president of Packard and announced that Packard would build only luxury models to compete with Cadillac. The company would cease production of mid-priced cars. Packard introduced the Caribbean as an American personal luxury car. From 1953 until 1956 it was available only as a convertible. In 1956, a hardtop was introduced. Packard merged with Studebaker to become Studebaker-Packard and the last Packards were produced in1958.
Shown below are some of the Caribbeans displayed in the Packard Museum in Dayton, Ohio.
1953 Caribbean
The Caribbean was introduced mid-year in 1953 and a total of 750 were produced. The car on display was owned by Perry Como.
This car has a 327 cubic inch straight eight 180 horsepower engine with Ultramatic transmission. It sold for $5,210 new (note: a house cost $9,550, the average yearly wage was $4,000, a gallon of gas was $0.20, and the average new car cost $1,650 at this time).
1954 Caribbean
A total of 400 Caribbeans were produced in 1954.
This car has a 359 cubic inch straight eight 212 horsepower engine with Ultramatic transmission. It sold for $6,100 new (note: a house cost $10,250, the average yearly wage was $4,000, a gallon of gas was $0.22, and the average new car cost $1,700 at this time).
1955 Caribbean
Just 500 Caribbeans were produced in 1955. New features included Torsion Level Ride, 12 volt electrics with negative ground, and an overhead-valve V8.
This car has a 352 cubic inch V-8 275 horsepower engine with Twin Ultramatic transmission. It sold for $5,932 new (note: a house cost $10,950, the average yearly wage was $4,100, a gallon of gas was $0.23, and the average new car cost $1,900 at this time).
1956 Caribbean Convertible
This was Packard’s last year and only 276 convertible Caribbeans were manufactured.
This car has a 374 cubic inch V-8 310 horsepower engine with pushbutton Ultramatic transmission. It sold for $5,935 new (note: a house cost $11,700, the average yearly wage was $4,450, a gallon of gas was $0.22, and the average new car cost $2,280 at this time).
1956 Caribbean Hardtop
This was Packard’s last year and only 263 hardtop Caribbeans were manufactured.
This car has a 374 cubic inch V-8 310 horsepower engine with pushbutton Ultramatic transmission. It sold for $5,495 new (note: a house cost $11,700, the average yearly wage was $4,450, a gallon of gas was $0.22, and the average new car cost $2,280 at this time).
More automobile photo tours
Packard Museum: Early Packards (photo diary)
Packard Museum: The 1920s (photo diary)
Packard Museum: Convertibles of the 1930s (photo diary)
Packard Museum: Sedans of the 1930s (photo diary)
Packard Museum: The 1940s (photo diary)
WAAAM: Automobiles of the 1950s (Photo Diary)
Museums 101: 1950s Fords in the Classic Auto Museum (photo diary)
Museums 101: Automobiles of the 1950s (Photo Diary)