My New Esquire Replica Project

Posted by John McCall and Mitch Parker On 2011/12/4 8:20:12

After years of lamenting the theft of my 56 Packard Caribbean convertible [5699-1179], a recent article by George Hamlin in "The Cormorant" about Harry DuBois' rebadging 400 coupes as "Esquires" got me on a creative ledge for which there is now no return.

It struck me that I could--with some shuffling of trim--have a "poor man's Caribbean coupe".

With much more ease than I thought, I have been able to assemble the two left and right antenna speedlines, the lower trim on the right side, and the two divider strips that are positioned over the top of the tail light housings.

When I ordered the latter from Max Merritt, I was asked if I needed to have them rushed out. I told them that SINCE I DON'T EVEN HAVE THE CAR YET, a rush was not necessary!

So, I am anxiously awaiting some forlorn 400 that wants to be an "Esquire" replica. I have had a lot of fun thinking about the color combinations. Unlike the Esquires that Harry DuBois produced, I plan to do the full Caribbean three-toned treatment on mine--including a replication of the Hypalon top (SMS has sent me a very convincing sample). My ideal color combination will be off white Hypalon, Dover White, Jamaican Yellow [feature strip] and Corsican Black. The interior will follow suit with white leather, yellow leather, and black cloth or black leather with a white perforated headliner and black or gray dash.

To take the Esquire project even one step further, I have designed an "Esquire" script for the trunk that is in the same style as the "Caribbean" trunk script (in instances where DuBois applied the trunk script, it was a slightly reduced version of the side fender script which was a font like that of the Caribbean). The side scripts will follow the Caribbean font. I have found a source to reproduce both, and then I will have them gold plated.

Now, to find a Caribbean hood! Mind you, I can still have a correct and mildly customized replica without it, as some of the Esquires used the standard 400 hood. But that special component on the front clip will give me an all-Caribbean exterior.

I welcome your comments and encourage you to stay tuned. I will share the progress of the project, especially after I get the candidate for my transformation! --Esquireman