It is ironic and unfortunate that Packard slipped into oblivion in 1956, just as the company introduced what were its best post-war models. By this time, all Packards featured the innovative front and rear Torsion-Level suspension system, which automatically leveled the car to suit the road surface, making the company’s products some of the smoothest-riding and best-handling full-size automobiles of the era.

Leading the Packard lineup was the luxe Caribbean Convertible, equipped with a 275-horsepower, 352-cubic-inch V-8 featuring dual four-barrel carburetors and topped by the iconic “batwing” air cleaner. Unique features of the Caribbean included standard three-tone color schemes, a full leather interior, a striking ultra-deluxe dashboard layout with a gold-tone textured insert and two-tone steering wheel. For 1956, the engine was enlarged to 374 cubic inches and rated at 310 horsepower. Additionally, the cars featured the heavily revised, push-button Ultramatic Drive transmission. Sadly, the 1956 Caribbean was the final convertible ever built by Packard before the company entered liquidation during the summer of 1958.

The fourteenth of only 276 Caribbean Convertibles produced for 1956, this example left the factory finished in finished in tri-color Dover White, Shannon Green, and Corsican Black over the reversible interior design of Gray Boucle with White and Light Green Leather, and on the reverse side White, Black, and Light Green Leather, according to its door code tag. A small, engraved plaque accompanying the car says that this example was custom built for a Dr. Richard S. Clover Jr. of Lamar, Pennsylvania. While complete ownership is not known, it was refinished at some point to its current configuration of Dover White, Danube Blue, and Roman Copper—a stunning combination offered by Packard from the factory—with the interior beautifully re-trimmed the reversible seat cushion design of Dark Copper Boucle with White and Light Blue Leather, and on the reverse side White, Dark Copper, and Light Blue leather. Formerly owned by noted Packard collectors Dick and Linda Kughn, this well-equipped example features power steering, brakes, windows, top, and seats, in addition to a pushbutton radio, dual spotlights, rear fender skirts, and Kelsey-Hayes chrome wire wheels wrapped in wide whitewall tires.

The Caribbean has some of the finest road manners of any full-size model of its era. This superb example will no doubt be highly sought-after by collectors of fine, mid-century American automobiles.