Kev's vision of a platform to share information, experience, and a social discourse has reached proportions that I'm sure not even the big man himself could have anticipated.

Clubs have a role. First and foremost, we need a group who are willing to fund and support the unintended or calculated attempts by some to end our hobby. Be it an interest in environmental stewardship or people who view the artwork we drive as an eyesore, we need to have some organized capability and funding to protect our point of view. Our car clubs are a way of serving that purpose.

Clubs are a place where the virtual experience on this website can be turned into some hands on coaching by local Packard collectors who have that ability to turn the parts lists, owners manuals, and shop manuals into results on the car. Many of the very early Packard factory support materials presume the reader already has a working knowledge of some procedures that were never documented. Having local help can pay off.

Clubs offer social activities, like tours. For me, there's a lot less anxiety taking a 100 plus mile drive in the Packard if there are some "experts" in the caravan who can help you get home if your Packard decides its time for a hose or belt to break, a water pump to fail or something worse.

In addition to the info on this site, the Packard Clubs produce newsletters and other materials that contain fascinating stories of the technical, business aspect, design, and people who created our cars that are always interesting. To some Packard junkies, you can't send us too much information. While I'm not in the geography of some clubs, I'm a member just to receive their publications.

By their very design, clubs (like this forum) are composed of people. My experience has been that Packard people on the whole are no different than the population in general. There are always some people who enjoy a good debate and are willing to take either side of the argument, aggressively. There are others who know that their opinion is fact while others of us just want to enjoy the ride.

Many members of our forum live in an area where there is no local Packard Club. However, there are lots of other car clubs that would more than welcome you Packard or your enthusiasm for Packards.

So, while this is a great forum that needs to be perpetuated for many decades to come, if for no other reason than to protect our hobby for the rules and legislation of non-car lovers, I'd encourage a club membership (a Packard Club if you prefer) in addition to supporting Kev and those who make this site so valuable.

Looks like Col. Turner was a famous aviator in his day:

http://www.nationalaviation.org/turner-roscoe/

Looks like the town clerk or the sign maker decided "Caribbean" would look better spelled "Carribean" or perhaps there was already a "Caribbean" street.

Guscha has provided a great summary to a large number of very interesting opinions and insights.

I hope you'll all share these collective thoughts with the leaders and members of the various Packard Clubs who may not as yet have found this great website.

Thanks to Kev for his vision, energy, diligence, thick skin and commitment for creating this outstanding platform. As mentioned by someone, this website is one of the greatest tools we have going to extend the life of our Packards.I hope his family appreciates him as much as we do!

In a recent post Hank mentioned the Packard owner age gap which is a concern to many Packard enthusiasts who want to make sure our Packards have good custodians after we have left the scene. We also need a lot more younger enthusiasts. Many of our cars should live for several hundred years with maintenance and attention. I'd like to start a post soliciting the ideas of our forum to help our current region and national leaders create the next generations of Packard lovers. Your thoughts....

I have seen one documented dealer/factory conversion of a 5587 to a "Caribbean" that was sold new in Grosse Point. The production number was slight over 7000 and the documentation the owner held suggested that there were 15 similarly converted 400's in the June/July time frame of 1955. This car had the 400 hood, the 400 interior, the single 4 barrel Rochester, but the side trim and emblems of the Caribbean. If this information is correct, the car on eBay is production number 2903 making it perhaps a post 1955 modification?
To Owen's point, without documentation we need some of our more informed friends from MI, IL, or NJ to chime in.

John,
In the 100F temps, my 56 Caribbean would also stumbled above 50mph after about 30 minutes at speed. Much to my surprise, the stumble disappeared when I turned on the electric fuel pump. A surprise every day.

Owen's estimate is well placed based on the data:

RM St. Johns Auction 2011: $101,750 (remember that the buyers generally pays a 10% buyers premium and the seller pays a 10% commission which would net the seller just north of $83,000)

Recent St. Louis Car Museum eBay Listing (now sold); $59,500 and needed some work

Recent PAC Listing: $59,500 don't know the condition

Recent additional eBay Listing: No Sale, bid to $60,000; a very nice car, not sure if it has sold yet

Recent unrestored private sale: Great car, all the components plated or mechanically rebuilt but unassembled; $60,000 ask, not sure if it has sold

RM Arizona Jan 2010; $79,500 (coming out of a disaster of 2009, a tough time to get anything close to a good price)

Mecum Indy 2009; $64,000

eBay July 2008; $79,994


So, given the fact that there have been some private sales for really good cars at unknown prices, this is a sample of the market.

Again the comments are worth what you've paid.

The problem here is that this is a very uneven market. There were a very small number of this model built and you can go for a couple of years without one being on the market. This year there have been at least 3 or 4. So, if you want one, you could have your pick of colors and level of restoration. An unusual year.

I believe this car was a "no-sale" at one of the Monterrey auctions last month with a high bid of $80,000. If the seller could wait for one of the Scottsdale auctions, one man's opinion is that in an environment where there are a lot more buyers than the Monterrey auction, the sale price could be near or above $120,000. Mark Hyman is offering a solid black 56 Caribbean convertible at $175,000. A great looking car.

Of course, the value of any of these great cars is finally determined by what the buyer and the seller say its worth on the day the deal is done. Given the right set of circumstances, $55,000 could be the answer.

One man's opinion and its is worth what you're paying for it!

Congrats. An outstanding example of the senior 1955 Packards. Thanks for sharing the recognition your great car deserves.