5697 - Caribbean Hardtop Coupe

SERIES:

56th

YEAR:

1956

WB:

127

MODEL/CHASSIS:

5688

CARBURETOR:

Rochester 4GC 7009600 7009601

ENGINE:

374

CYLINDERS:

8

HP:

310

WEIGHT:

4,590

MSRP:

$5,495

TOTAL PRODUCTION:

263

PASSENGERS:

6

GND VOLTAGE:

-12

TIRE SIZE:

8.00x15

New closed coupe Caribbean model introduced for 1956 - one year only and based on Four Hundred body shell. Changes from 55th Series include restyled hood and chrome scoops, with hood prop rod eliminated. Hood crest is added - same as other Packard models. Front fender headlamp brows are extended forward, increasing the appearance of overall length. Grille is restyled with larger openings, backed up by a mesh panel that was initially made of chrome-plated steel, but Packard quickly switched to a gold-anodized aluminum material to keep up with Cadillac. Front bumper guards are moved outboard; air opening in lower valence is enlarged and also includes a mesh panel. New gas door molding features a concealed finger cove, which necessitates retooling of upsweep molding to eliminate a notch provided for 55th Series. Roof drip rail features a wide molding. Fender skirts and lower body moldings are standard. Trunk lid is squared off, and circle-vee ornamentation replaces former trunk handle. V-shaped ornaments on taillights replaced by a hexagonal red reflex. All exterior script plates are gold-plated. Four standard tri-tone paint schemes are updated with new colors - though other color combinations could be special-ordered. Interior trim, like 55th Series, is typically color-coordinated to exterior paint. Reversible, full-foam, seat cushions - upholstered in all-leather one side and cloth and leather on the other - are new for 1956 and exclusive to Caribbean models. Dual rear radio antennae are standard (though only one provides signal to receiver). Sensational Torsion-Level suspension is again standard. New pushbutton electric shift for Twin Ultramatic is standard - optional on all other Packard and Clipper models. - BH