1954 Packard Caribbean

Convertible

Inline 8 Cyl

Automatic

5478-2258

Clear

WE DECIDED TO RELIST THE CAR. TRUE AND COMPLETE NO RESERVE AUCTION. THE HIGHEST BIDDER WINS. PLEASE: DO NOT BID ON THIS CAR UNLESS YOU INTENT TO BUY IT. THIS IS A NO RESERVE AUCTION, SO IF YOU ARE AT THE TOP AT THE END, YOU WILL HAVE TO BUY THE CAR. NON-PAYING BIDDER WILL BE REPORTED TO EBAY. Off course, you can call us to make an Offer, that's fine. I will pass that Offer to the Owner, if he accepts, I will end the auction and the car is yours, but we will not end the auction unless we get a deposit, which will show you are a serious buyer. Thank you. 1954 Packard Caribbean Convertible, truly, one of a kind. Full Frame-Off Rotisserie Restoration. Clear Title on hand. Exactly the same car... Even the colors... Sold at auction for 104,500.00 just over 4 months ago. WOW...! See it here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_fTrsLCMQuM The car is available for inspection, just give a call a couple of hours ahead to make sure I can be at the Shop. In 1954 Packard produced just 400 Caribbean Convertibles. This is one them… Yes, one the few left…! The 1954 Packard Caribbean was the “American Rolls Royce” of that era, and the flagship of the brand. It was in fact one the most expensive cars of those days. Just think about this: In 1954 you could buy a brand new Chevrolet for about 900.00…Right? Well, this car would cost you about 6,700.00…!!! All the hard work is already done; you’ll have to complete interior and wiring and re-chrome few pieces to finish. The last picture shows a completed car. This is a complete car. There are no missing pieces. We have everything, up to the last nut & bolt. The only exception is the Rocker Molding (the one that runs from wheel to wheel, over the rocker panel) We have both of them, but they are in such bad shape that we feel they should be replaced. Some of the trim is not installed because it needs re-chroming, that includes the Headlight Bezels and the Side Moldings. We include here some detailed pictures of the Restoration, but this listing only allows 24 pictures. It’s impossible to document a Restoration of this caliber with 24 pictures, so please check the Slide show below, to see a much more comprehensive documentation. Here is a little background on the car, if you are not familiar with it: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Packard_Caribbean#1954 Can be a Driver as it is, but this car truly deserves a Full Completion. I had this Packard in the Shop for over 2 years now. We did all the body work Rotisserie Restoration, but the owner ran out money and he is now forced to sell. To make a long story short: First, the owner decided to do the Frame Off Rotisserie, and so we did. Then, he started cutting corners for lack of money. Unfortunately, we do not cut corners when it comes to our work and reputation, so he finally decided to sell the car, because he couldn’t pay us due his financial problems. Trust me when I tell you: The Reserve Price on this is not even what the owner paid for the car, let alone all the work we already did. Most of the Chrome parts have been re-chromed already, from the Bumpers to the Tail lights. Just few piece left to re-chrome, but they are all in perfect condition. The Frame/Chasis work is complete, Shocks, Brakes, everything. The Engine has been rebuilt and we have a Transmission Rebuilt Kit that goes with the car. The Packard is the perfect restoration candidate, so much so that I am extremely upset we couldn’t complete a Full Restoration’ Very rare to find car, only few left and not many in this condition, just check the pictures. Straight and perfect frame, laser straight body, with most of the stainless in perfect condition, no pitting on any chrome parts, all hydraulics are there, from the pump to the last hose for the top, all wiring still there, all Transmission and Engine components, suspension components… Everything! As a Classic Car Restorer, I’m shocked by the fact that there wasn’t a single screw or bolt missing in this car. The car was stored for over 35 years, you can easily tell by the condition of the frame and body it never had any accident, not even a fender bender. You are welcome to come in and inspect the car, just give us a call in advance. South Florida Auto 1645-1647 W 31st Place, Hialeah, FL 33012 305-823-3634 (11:00 am to 5:00 pm EST) Ask for Frank. Thanks for looking. To see the Slide Show please click the link below: http://s1185.photobucket.com/user/CustomChevys/slideshow/1954%20Packard%20Caribbean History of the 1953-1956 Packard Caribbean Packard introduced the Caribbean in 1953. Based on Packard’s non-production 1952 show car, the Pan American convertible, the Caribbean utilized a Cavalier body that was heavily modified by the Mitchell-Bentley Corporation of Ionia, Michigan. The hood featured a full-width scoop, the taillights were horizontal in “fishtail” rear fenders, and the cars were fitted with chrome wire wheels, including a continental spare tire. All side trim was removed, and full rear wheel cutouts further differentiated the car from the rest of the Packard line, and the end result was a truly elegant and striking automobile.. The Caribbean was only available as a convertible, and could be ordered in four colors: Polaris Blue, Gulf Green metallic, Matador Red metallic and Sahara Sand. It was powered by the 180-hp, 327-cid straight-eight motor and at $5,210 was almost $2,000 more than the Cavalier convertible, and $1,400 more than a Cadillac convertible. A total of 750 1953 Packard Caribbean convertibles were built. The 1954 Caribbean was markedly different, as it received a two-tone paint job with a dividing side-molding, chrome across the hood scoop, and chrome trim adorning the lower rear wheel cutouts, which were now half size. It retained chrome wire wheels and the continental kit, and all Caribbeans now had power windows, power seats, power steering, and power brakes, as well as dual heaters. Only 400 were built this year, as Packard redesigned its Detroit plant to begin building the all-new 1955 models. The 1955 Packard Caribbean was a stunning tri-colored convertible, powered by a brand new 352-cid, 275-hp OHV V-8, with dual four-barrel carburetors. Every power option was standard, except for air conditioning, and the car rode on electronically operated, self-leveling torsion bar suspension. The Caribbeans were white over black with the third color – blue, green, red or pink, placed between the other two on a wide band that ran the length of the car at waist height, sweeping up over the rear fins to the twin antennas. “Cathedral window” rear taillights topped bumpers, through which the exhaust exited. Production was limited to 500 Caribbeans, which cost almost $6,000 – again nearly $2,000 more than a 1955 Cadillac convertible. The new Packard V-8 encountered problems with oil pumps that were not powerful enough, and valve trains were starved to disastrous ends as a result. The electronic self-leveling suspension system also tended to fail on occasion due to bad ground connections. These troubles, coupled with the car’s high price, irreparably harmed its reputation, and ultimately spelled the end of the model. For 1956, a Packard Caribbean coupe joined the convertible and the car’s engine size was bumped up to 374 cid, with 310 hp. The car had deeper headlight hoods and the front bumper was modified with an air scoop. There were new color combinations and reversible seat cushions, offering leather or brocade surfaces. The problematic oil pump from 1955 was replaced with a higher-flow unit and the suspension connections improved, but it was all too late. Packard sold only 28,835 cars in 1956 and Studebaker-Packard basically sold out to Curtiss-Wright. On August 15, Packard production came to a halt. Only 276 Caribbean convertibles and 263 coupes left the factory and the 1957 and 1958 Packards would become face-lifted Studebakers. Even though the 1955 and 1956 Packard Caribbeans were rushed into production too fast, production-based mechanical faults have almost always been corrected by now. All of the Caribbeans are handsome and very fast for their considerable size as well, and their low production numbers help keep prices high. Today the Packard Caribbean is widely considered to be the most collectible postwar Packard. Off course, I know all of those that decided to list their special "Packard" after they saw my listing would be very upset about this... But hey... That's what competition is all about, isn't...? Sorry guys... And, I GOTTA TELL YA... It must be fun to "Watch"... So, for all the "Watchers" here, take it from Sharon Stone: "YOU LIKE TO WATCH...? Watch this…!” http://youtu.be/OxaZVwUg33g?t=4s Sharon Stone, "Sliver” FAIR WARNING... IF you have ZERO FEEDBACK and YOU DO NOT ANSWER MY MESSAGES... Your Bids will be Cancelled, and I will prevent you from Bidding on this or any other items I have for sale. I am not here to play games with anyone. If you want to play... Please buy a Nintendo... Get the picture...??? AGAIN... JUST A FAIR WARNING... THANKS!