Packard Forum Index » Post-War (1946-54)

Hi Ladies and Gents,

This Caribbean has come up for sale locally in NZ

https://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/specialist-cars/other/auction-1405114007.htm

and I'm just wondering what your thoughts are on it.

I currently have a '56 patrician, but a 53 Caribbean is at the top of my want list.

The $15k asked works out at around $10 to $11k USD, I can do mechanical, but body would be being farmed out to be done.

I'm aware of the custom bodywork that the factory did, especially round the tail area.
I'm very cautious, not only the obvious holes in the floor, but things like the wheel cutout trim and the like which aren't apparent.
You'll see most of the cast trim has deteriorated badly and the sills (what you can see) aren't that good and obviously there's a rear fender patch panel thats been loosely tacked on. Underside could be scary.

I'm just wondering if this is looking really too much of a project, and could take vaaaaast sums to even get in a driveable state, let alone presentable (I'm not a fastidious restorer).

Possibly it's more worth the sum of it's desirable bits: the continental spare, complete grille, glass, powerplant, and thats about it really; maybe I should wait till a less deteriorated one comes up, or just stick with what I've got.

Thanks for any thoughts

Muir
NZ

Hi Muir, my thoughts: If the car runs (I figured it might from engine pix's) then all that's left are the most expensive repairs, ie., body work, interior, paint and top.
plus, the real unknown mechanicals, engine, trans, rearend and dash/engine wiring. It does appear to me that you might spend a minimum of 3 to 4 times the buying price....The total spent to restore this car might be better used to find a car where there are less unknowns and in better shape. On the other hand, time and $$$$$ spent on the current car maybe a project you want to undertake for the satisfaction gained. There is no right or wrong answer, asking questions is good, there will be dissenters to my assessment and that's okay too. The goal is gather all the information you can so you can make a good decision. Hope this helps.

Regards,
Steve

I agree with Steve, however, better make sure you know the cost of import duties and tariffs. Also some countries will not allow an import of a vehicle does not meet the local emissions standards. So import of a restored Caribbean may be impossible or very expensive.

On this website there is a tabulation of engine numbers, their year of manufacture, assigned model and the location of the engine number on the block. I have seen more than a few Caribbean's that do not have the original engine. For the Packard purest, this could be an issue at the time of resale.

Good luck.

Thanks so much guys,

I'm wondering if the car is for sale as the hard expensive work is about to begin....

Possibly a financial black hole, and I can't see my long suffering wife being overly enthusiastic

I'll just bide my time and if a better example comes up it comes up, if it doesn't it doesn't.

Happy Packarding

Muir
NZ

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.

This 53 Caribbean has a chrome tire carrier.

Looking at pictures in the photo archives some have chrome, some are painted.

Was that an option for the Caribbean owner?
Or
Was it an early and late production change?

Hey Muir,

Here is some food for thought.

I am just completing a 54 Caribbean Chassis for a client.

Just the chassis alone total teardown and restoration costs came in at $4,700 USD and labor was an additional 4k. This does not include the costs of the Engine and Transmission work which is another 8k.

Interior complete, hand sewn and pleated etc. Labor average 4k plus materials.

Paint and materials avg. $2500 (cost) with PPG and DuPont running $600 / Qt., Clear $485 / Gal

Bodywork and Labor if no major metal repair 4-6k

Chrome- 10k

Of course the this car is going to Barret-Jackson but if you are not doing a # 1-2 car and do the majority yourself, you can bring the cost down some.

Cheers

Quote:

Muir, I believe that you was -> dazzled by the photograph of this wonderful red Caribbean. An impulse buy could ruin both, your economical situation as well as your marriage.



image source: www.trademe.co.nz

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Brilliant replies Gents.

Ahh yes, The Peacock and it's feathers.

I suppose some of it's the fact that the '51 to '54 cars are very elegant, and the Caribbean is like the royal flush car.

I'd rather be enjoying life & wife and the "Darling I've bought a new car!" mightn't work so well in this case.

Troy, very interesting pricing - it'd be possibly cheaper to ship car to you to get done than get it done over here...