The Packard Motor Car Company tragically failed due to management misadventures just as it introduced one of the finest product lines in company history. The 1955 models featured an all-new OHV V-8 engine (enlarged to 374 cubic inches and 310 brake hoesepower with dual four-barrel carburetors, the most powerful American V-8 for 1956), plus the new pushbutton Twin-Ultramatic transmission.

Styling was modern and very attractive, with the top-line Caribbean offering a distinctive tri-tone paint scheme, two-tone leather upholstery, and much more. 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.

The Caribbean offered here comes from the private collection of a longtime Packard enthusiast who has cared for it for many years. Finished in the original color combination of Dover White, Shannon Green, and Corsican Black, it has a wonderfully authentic appearance throughout, including the correct dual-sided seat cushions, and is in very good condition, including its paintwork, delightfully patinaed and very comfortable original interior, and chrome trim. The odometer, set into a beautiful textured anodized dashboard, records 54,326 miles, all but encouraging the owner to take it out on the road and enjoy it for many more thousands of happy cruising miles.

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 and extremely scarce 1956 models, is ready for continued driving enjoyment by a caring new owner.