Lot 2117

Auburn Fall 2019

1956 Packard Caribbean Convertible

The Ed Meurer Collection

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$60,500 USD | Sold

United States | Auburn, Indiana

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  • The rarest and most desirable year of the Caribbean
  • One of only 276 convertibles produced for 1956
  • Packard’s last great automobile

For 1956 styling was modern and very attractive, with the top-line Packard Caribbean offering a distinctive tri-tone paint scheme, two-tone leather upholstery, and much more. The engine was enlarged to 374 cubic inches, producing 310 brake horsepower with dual four-barrel carburetors. Additionally, the cars now featured the new push-button Twin-Ultramatic transmission, a unique luxury feature for the 1950s. Although most 1956 updates were minor, one of the most attractive new features was a set of reversible seat cushions, leather on one side and elegant cloth on the other. Only 263 Caribbean hardtops and 276 convertibles were built for 1956, making it the rarest year of the Caribbean convertible. Sadly, the 1956 Packard Caribbean would become the final convertible ever built by the company, as the Studebaker-Packard partnership for 1957 and 1958 simply produced coupes. Packard would sadly cease car production during the summer of 1958.

This 1956 Packard Caribbean Convertible is proudly offered from the Meurer Collection. Finished in the original color combination of Dover White, Shannon Green, and Corsican Black, it has a wonderful appearance throughout. It rides on wide whitewall tires mounted on wire wheels with factory hubcaps. The interior features the unique dual-sided seat cushions, a brilliant idea that allowed owners to switch the look of their interior from a vinyl pattern to a cloth one. A beautiful textured anodized dashboard displays the instrumentation in easy view of the driver, additionally housing a clock and radio. The glovebox has a small plaque attached to it stating that this custom-built Caribbean was made specially for Annie K. Shunk.

The Caribbean has some of the best handling and finest road manners of any full-sized automobile of its era, and this example, as one of the improved 1956 models, is one of the rarer Packards. As part of the last run of convertibles built by the company, these cars remain highly sought after among collectors.