I have A 1951 Packard henney hearse 21000 original miles in excellent condition.Stored inside. Original paint, interior, body is rust free.In running condition, three speed transmission. What would this car be worth.
jordan
12-Dec-2007 18:18
how many 1953 caribbeans had wind up windows
lEIGH DORRINGTON
14-Aug-2007 16:27
Are you aware of a 1951(?) Packard bodied by Henney with blanked our rear windows, a padded top, sunroof over the back seat and continental kit. I have seen this car and am attempting to learn more about it. Thank you for your consideration.
jij
30-Jan-2007 06:10
What is a 1953 carribean worth in nu. 6 condition? how about nu. 5 cond.
Rick Johnson
23-Apr-2005 03:27
1953 Packard Caribbean. The Caribbean was a limited production covertible based on Packard's 1952 Pan American Showcar that was built by Henney for Packard and designed by Henney designer Richard Arbib. The Henney Body Company made Packard ambulances and hearses.
Richard Teague was the stylist at Packard responsible for taking Arbib's basic showcar design, making modifications to change it from a two seater to a four seater, and creating rear wheel cutouts, and adding a Continental Kit to accommodate the spare tire.
Other than the grille, chrome was used sparingly and limited to the wheel openings and lower body side moldings and the chrome trim at the base of the windows, window vents, and windshield. Small twin chrome blades sat atop the rear fenders, swept down and culminated into the tailight assembly on the back of the car. The Packard Coat of Arms adorned the center upper lip of the grille,and also on the chrome trim just behind the doors.
It was a striking automobile and could hold its own in the styling department alongside other specialty limited production convertible luxury cars also introduced in 1953: the Buick Skylark, the Cadillac Eldorado, and the Oldsmobile Fiesta. It wasn't cheap by 1950's standards either. The Caribbean sold for $ 5,209. However that was competitive with the Skylark at $ 5,000, and the Olds Fiesta at $ 5,715, and quite a bargain compared to Cadillac's Eldorado at $ 7,750.
Under the hood, the Caribbean had a 327 cubic inch L-Head inline 8 developing 180 horsepower. The car had a 122 inch wheelbase. It featured Packard's "Ultramatic two speed automatic transmission with torque converter. It was equiped with power steering, power windows, radio, heater, and chrome wire wheels. Production was limited to 750 units. The Caribbean is probably the most desirable post war Packard. Only an estimated 60 to 80 survive, and rarely are they for sale. Expect to pay between $60,000 to $ 90,000, depending on condition, and replacement parts are rare and at a premium.
Packard is most remembered for its luxury cars built before World War II, and during the twenties and most of the thirties was considered more desirable and prestigious than Cadillac. But Packard wanted to increase its volume of production and began to introduce smaller and lower priced models. Just prior to World War II they debuted the "Clipper". It was stylish and handsome car with smooth contours and lines. The only big Packards left was a convertible and the limosine sedans. When production began after the war, the only Packard marketed was the Clipper in 1946 & 1947. Then came the first post war design in 1948 that many people refer to as the "Pregnant Elephant" or "Bathtub" Packard.
That was followed by a new design in 1951 which became the basic body design for every "real" Packard that followed. Packard, like all the other Independent car makers, was in deep financial trouble and did not have the capital to retool for new models to compete with GM, Ford, and Chrysler. Packard did not field a modern overhead valve V-8 until the 1955 model year, and although the 1955 & 1956 Packards were handsome cars by Fifties standards, they simply did not sell in the numbers necessary to sustain the company. Packard's merger with Studebaker in 1954 did not help. Studebaker was heavily in debt and drained whatever capital Packard had left. The Packard name appeared on cars in 1957 and 1958, but these cars were really Studebakers in disguise. A sad ending for what once had been a very proud and distinguished car company. Packard....."Just Ask the Man who owns one....."
