I have a '53 Caribbean also. The car came with 8x20x15 with 3 5/8" ww. (I won't know if the ww extends into the rim until I put new tires on it.) They are BF Goodrich Silvertown bias-belted tires. Don't know how old they are, but I find that they groan when rounding curves at safe speeds. So I ordered Auburns with 3 3/4" ww from DB Tires. They are radials with the "pie-edge" to simulate the Silvertowns. They should arrive by the end of this month.

As a '53 Caribbean owner, that f/s car is a sad sight to see. The time & money needed just to be presentable is certainly scary.

Has anyone switched to sealed 6v sealed halogen headlamps?

Looking for alternate recommendations for heavier duty hood hinge springs for my Caribbean. Installing new Packard springs will probably not offer me much relief raising the hood.

For a '53 Caribbean, were the wheel wells painted? If so, black?

I have a '53 Caribbean & have been looking for a liner too. All the original flocking is gone so the sides of my trunk have oxidized. I have placed a rubber backed grey trade show carpet on the floor. To use that to cover the curves would be a challenge. I could also spray it with flocking material or a speckle finish.

What was the factory color for the engine? Mine looks like it might have been gold.

The passenger power window on my '53 Caribbean suffered "the leak" a few weeks ago. Until I get it repaired, I'd still like to put the top down. Would there still be enough fluid to do this or do I need to check out the fluid level in the reservoir first? I've read the instructions in the service manual for this. How tricky is it & anything to watch out for? Thanks.

My car is now posted.

I am a new owner of a '53 Caribbean that I purchased privately @ $66k in Nov. Prices sure do vary:

Oct. 2013 at Hershey; $90k plus buyer's premium
Jan. 2014 at Scottsdale; $60,500; $77,000; & $93,500 including buyer's commission.