Re: Randy's Caribbean

Posted by Leeedy On 2021/4/16 20:41:01
Quote:

Owen_Dyneto wrote:
Leeedy, I don't have a photo of the VN plate of the ex-Randy Berger 1956 convertible handy, but the particulars are:

VN #5699-1164
Theft-proof #D33933
Utica Motor # C1339
Utica Trans # C1004

The transmission # is clearly out of place, perhaps a replacement from a very early Caribbean; based on data from other 1956 Caribbeans I would have expected a transmission number between C1200 and C1400.


Thanks much, Owen. However what the serial plate would show (or in my case, confirm) is the paint and trim. According to my records the paint was listed as VMV and interior as 96 (which would be pink/white/gray interior).

At least two (okay, more) of the VMV 1956 Caribbeans were used for experimentation and at one time had special equipment. Much of which was removed either by Packard or subsequent owners who thought they were correcting the cars.

There were several experimental transmissions installed in various 1955 and 1956 Packards. These transmissions would have been used in 1957 production for Caribbeans and certain engines. So I would not fret about the transmission in the vehicle as noted.

Some of these Caribbeans (like two of the VMV cars) were in the hands of Creative Industries of Detroit and a Detroit engineering firm that worked on several of the projects with Creative. Somehow all this has been either forgotten or never known among the Packard faithful. Look for more on these transmissions in an upcoming issue of The Packard Cormorant magazine.

When the experimentation phase was completed, this Caribbean was sent to the Boston, MA factory retail branch to be sold. No idea who the original buyer was.

My 1956 Caribbean that was stolen from me also went through Boston. It came equipped with power door locks, factory air and Autronic Eye.

But again... why the blue wheels?

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