Re: 1953 Caribbean Prototype

Posted by wgb1956 On 2017/11/29 12:37:19

Hi, a new member to PackardInfo.com, and just noticing this interesting thread. I have a '53 Caribbean, also Gulf Green Metallic. Most everything I notice about your car seems to indicate a normal production vehicle. The fender scripts potentially could have been added by a dealer or customer. (There is at least one Caribbean out there with a cormorant hood ornament on it, where this was done for the buyer). One thing does look unusual though. The tail lamps appear to be either modified or unique. What does the bottom of the chrome tail fin you have look like where it meets the lamp assembly? The Caribbeans used the production 1951-54 senior tail lamps, that rose up to meet the bottom of the senior tail fins. It appears from your photo that slots were cut into the tail lamps for some reason. I would explore this a little more to see if this was some form of prototype work done on the vehicle. Another question is, what is the theft proof number stamped into the top of the firewall just above the heater box? It would be interesting to try to determine when your body was produced relative to other Caribbeans. (fyi mine is C25329, mated to Caribbean # 447 out of 750).