The Caribbean was based on the Pan-American concept car of 1952 and was introduced to compete against the likes of the Cadillac Eldorado, Buick Skylark, and Oldsmobile Fiesta. Packard 2631 Series bodies were sent from Detroit to the Mitchell-Bentley Corporation of Ionia, Michigan, for modifications including a hood scoop, chrome beltline and rocker trim, quad horizontal taillights with “fishtail” rear fender treatments, a Continental-style spare wheel in a body-color cover, and enlarged wheel openings with chrome trim and…
The Caribbean was based on the Pan-American concept car of 1952 and was introduced to compete against the likes of the Cadillac Eldorado, Buick Skylark, and Oldsmobile Fiesta. Packard 2631 Series bodies were sent from Detroit to the Mitchell-Bentley Corporation of Ionia, Michigan, for modifications including a hood scoop, chrome beltline and rocker trim, quad horizontal taillights with “fishtail” rear fender treatments, a Continental-style spare wheel in a body-color cover, and enlarged wheel openings with chrome trim and 1953-model-year-only radiused rear wheel arches. The first-year Caribbean carried a $5,210 price tag when new.
This example is said to have been refinished during the 2010s refurbishment in Polaris Blue, one of four colors offered by the factory for the Caribbean that year. Additional equipment includes a retractable antenna, dual-side-view mirrors, and reverse lights. The power-operated top hydraulics were rebuilt by Hydro-E-Electric of Punta Gorda, Florida, before a tan Electron Top Classic soft top was fitted. A cream top boot is included in the sale.
The 15″ chrome wire wheels wear Packard center caps and are mounted with 235/75 Firestone Supreme whitewall radial tires. A matching spare wheel is mounted under a steel body color cover out back, and an additional matching tire is included in the sale and can be seen in the gallery. The Caribbean rode on a 122″ wheelbase and featured a coil-sprung independent suspension up front and a live rear axle with semi-elliptical leaf springs. Stopping power is provided by power-assisted Easamatic four-wheel drum brakes.
The cabin features front and rear benches trimmed in blue leatherette with cream accents. Matching material lines the doors, and blue carpets are covered with matching floor mats. Equipment includes a heater, a locking pull-out glovebox bin, and front and rear lap belts. A switch mounted below the dash controls the electric secondary fuel pump. The AM radio does not work.
The ivory-color two-spoke steering wheel frames an engine-turned instrument panel housing a 110-mph speedometer, gauges for fuel level and coolant temperature, and a clock that was rebuilt in May 2023. The five-digit odometer shows under 61k miles, approximately 500 of which were added under current ownership. Total mileage is unknown.
The 327ci Thunderbolt straight-eight features five main bearings and a Carter four-barrel carburetor. It was reportedly rebuilt during the 2010s refurbishment was rated at 180 horsepower when new. Photos from a recent compression test can be seen in the gallery.
Power is sent to the rear wheels via an Ultramatic two-speed automatic transmission that is also said to have been rebuilt in the late 2010s.