Re: Randy Berger's 1956 Caribbean
Posted by Randy Berger On 2007/6/28 17:36:45
Keith, thanks for asking and I should have entered that info in the beginning.
A friend, Rich Sycks, who had sold me a set of wire wheels moved to Florida. He and his Father-in-law Art deal in Packard parts and cars. At a gathering of Packards he noticed a fellow wearing a Packard T-shirt. Rich asked him if he owned a Packard and the gent said "56 Caribbean". Rich asked if he could see the car and shortly thereafter drove up to view the Caribbean. Although it needs a good bit of work, the body is rock solid, the engine sounds good, and the transmission works. Rich called me and gave me the fellow's number. I called and talked with the owner, Jim, who described the car and the price. I had some other financial things to attend to and didn't get back to Jim for about nine months. I called again and made arrangements to fly down to Florida and examine the car. I had arranged with a friend to come down and haul it back on an open trailer if I bought it.
I spent all of Monday examining the car and looking at the quantity of parts. I was going to head back into town to book a motel room for the night, but Jim and his bride said I should use their guest room. I took advantage of their hospitality and spent Tuesday studying the car in more detail and getting to know Jim. He purchased the car in 1974 when he lived in Ohio. They took it with them when Jim retired to Florida. He truly loved the car but realized he was probably not going to be able to finish it. Enter the Packard nut from Irwin who swallowed hard and paid the asking price. I decided to have the car hauled in an enclosed trailer, saving my friend Al the trip and some long miles. It is 950 miles from Jim's place to mine. Since Al wasn't going to haul the car home, how was I to get all the parts back here? We were planning to haul them in the pickup truck that was hauling the car. Jim to the rescue - he had a son in Ohio he hadn't seen in a while and offered to haul all the parts back in an enclosed trailer. He has a nice GMC diesel-powered dually. We loaded the trailer and departed Thursday for Gov. Rendell's tax haven. I did almost all the driving and we ran straight thru except for pit stops and meals. The Jimmy was a joy to drive and Jim and I got to know each other a lot better. We pulled up at my place about 4:00 AM and took the rechromed parts and stashed them in the basement. I showed Jim a few trains, as that is really my hobby and about 8:30 we pulled up in front of Al's garage and unloaded the trailer. Jim bid farewell and headed for Ohio to surprise his son.
I sat down and pondered whether I had made a huge mistake or just gotten a great project. It has been determined that I am not allowed to die until the Caribbean is on the road and demonstrating to other car owners just what an "automobile" looks like.
I am slowly discovering faults and problems as with any vehicle that hasn't been on the road since 1974. Hopefully I can resolve them and have fun at the same time. The fellow who did my 400 upholstery has agreed to come out of retirement and deprive me of a large amount of cash. The gearhead who rebuilt my 400 tranny back in 91 has graciously agreed to rebuild this one also. Things are falling into place and several Packard friends have given advice and loaned parts. All in all, a satisfying way to enjoy retirement
A friend, Rich Sycks, who had sold me a set of wire wheels moved to Florida. He and his Father-in-law Art deal in Packard parts and cars. At a gathering of Packards he noticed a fellow wearing a Packard T-shirt. Rich asked him if he owned a Packard and the gent said "56 Caribbean". Rich asked if he could see the car and shortly thereafter drove up to view the Caribbean. Although it needs a good bit of work, the body is rock solid, the engine sounds good, and the transmission works. Rich called me and gave me the fellow's number. I called and talked with the owner, Jim, who described the car and the price. I had some other financial things to attend to and didn't get back to Jim for about nine months. I called again and made arrangements to fly down to Florida and examine the car. I had arranged with a friend to come down and haul it back on an open trailer if I bought it.
I spent all of Monday examining the car and looking at the quantity of parts. I was going to head back into town to book a motel room for the night, but Jim and his bride said I should use their guest room. I took advantage of their hospitality and spent Tuesday studying the car in more detail and getting to know Jim. He purchased the car in 1974 when he lived in Ohio. They took it with them when Jim retired to Florida. He truly loved the car but realized he was probably not going to be able to finish it. Enter the Packard nut from Irwin who swallowed hard and paid the asking price. I decided to have the car hauled in an enclosed trailer, saving my friend Al the trip and some long miles. It is 950 miles from Jim's place to mine. Since Al wasn't going to haul the car home, how was I to get all the parts back here? We were planning to haul them in the pickup truck that was hauling the car. Jim to the rescue - he had a son in Ohio he hadn't seen in a while and offered to haul all the parts back in an enclosed trailer. He has a nice GMC diesel-powered dually. We loaded the trailer and departed Thursday for Gov. Rendell's tax haven. I did almost all the driving and we ran straight thru except for pit stops and meals. The Jimmy was a joy to drive and Jim and I got to know each other a lot better. We pulled up at my place about 4:00 AM and took the rechromed parts and stashed them in the basement. I showed Jim a few trains, as that is really my hobby and about 8:30 we pulled up in front of Al's garage and unloaded the trailer. Jim bid farewell and headed for Ohio to surprise his son.
I sat down and pondered whether I had made a huge mistake or just gotten a great project. It has been determined that I am not allowed to die until the Caribbean is on the road and demonstrating to other car owners just what an "automobile" looks like.
I am slowly discovering faults and problems as with any vehicle that hasn't been on the road since 1974. Hopefully I can resolve them and have fun at the same time. The fellow who did my 400 upholstery has agreed to come out of retirement and deprive me of a large amount of cash. The gearhead who rebuilt my 400 tranny back in 91 has graciously agreed to rebuild this one also. Things are falling into place and several Packard friends have given advice and loaned parts. All in all, a satisfying way to enjoy retirement
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