1953 Packard Caribbean.The Caribbean was Packard's answer to the Cadillac Eldorado and the Buick Skylark. Priced in 1953 at $5,209 it was less than the Eldorado at $9,000 and the Skylark at $5,600. Style and value helped it succeed. The design was by Dick Teague. He was new to Packard, joining in 1951. This was his first major assignment. He took his inspiration from the 1952 Packard Pan American concept car built to show at the New York Motor Sports Show in April 1952. The Pan American fueled enough interest that Packard moved ahead. Teague did a brilliant job. Many collectors describe the Caribbean as Packard's most elegant of their post war cars.This is Packar's most easily identified car because of its full cutout rear wheel housing and side trim. The trim was limited to a chrome band outline that stretched the entire length of the car. The band also helped to further delineate the car's wheel openings, with the elegant wheel-lip trim.They were produced for just four years,1953-56 and they only came as convertibles The total run of Caribbeans was just under 2,000. A total of 750 Caribbeans were built for the first model year, Eldorado produced just 532. Collector experts say there may be only 60-80 of these that still exist in running condition. With a recent restoration, the one offered at auction is surely one of the finer examples.A continental spare tire is standard and the hood features a broad, low leaded-in hood scoop which looks much like scoops that became popular on many muscle cars of the 1960s. Bodies for the Caribbean were actually modified by the Mitchell-Bentley Corporation in Ionia, Michigan. Available "advertised" colors for the car were limited to Polaris Blue, Gulf Green Metallic, Maroon Metallic or Sahara Sand. This car is dressed in Polaris Blue.Other details of note:* Original inline 327ci 180hp engine rebuilt* New GM 4L60E Automatic overdrive transmission* Front & rear suspension completely rebuilt* Electrical system, includes wipers, 12V start, 6V run* Cleaned radiator & automatic electric push fan installed* Driver & Passenger side spotlights* Complete re-done interior* New Vintiques 15” x 6” wire wheels w/caps #70-5605358* New Diamond Back 235/75/R15/11/100 3.75" WW tires, less than 1,000 miles. This is one of the most outstanding of the less than 100 surviving '53 Caribbeans. It's been on display twice at the Des Moines Concours D' Elegance. This could be driven and be a crowd pleaser for years to come. Car comes with binders of additional Packard literature and its own History book.