ewrecks wrote:
This may be a little off subject but I watched with interest the auction in Utica and was curious as to whether the Caribbeans in that collection had been known to the Packard Community and whether the auction company or owners had the time to log all serial numbers or identifying information for future tracking.
Some time ago I inquired as to the number of remaining 55:Caribbeans and received a reply that it was believed to be around 100.
There were several in this inventory…in addition to several 53-56 models and I was mostly curious as to whether any made the registry or other dats bases.
I was stunned at how cheaply the majority of cars sold for ..and happy that it appears that most cars will end up either as parts inventory or cores for restoration rather than ending in the crusher.
In 2009 I considered myself lucky to find a basket case 55:Caribbean with a title and numberes matching engine for $15,000. It took two additional parts cars and lots of chrome and stainless from around the country to get the car back on the road.
Hopefully some who acquired the cars will be offering parts through the Forum or on eBay
to allow projects to be completed.
I doubt that Leeedy’s missing 56:Caribbean ended up in Utica but unless cars from these kinds of collections can be documented before disassembly or destruction, the trail will go cold
.
With prices dropping on many old Packards while costs of parts, chroming , interiors and other things escalate, I hope that the inventory from Utica will allow at least some of the cars to see the road again…or supply the needed parts for Restoratiom of others .
I wish I were a decade younger…..I would have been a bidder to reckon with for the Caribbeans and some parte cars.
If anyone who bought a 38-40 convertible coupe wants to recoup their purchase price quickly…check to see if the door dovetails are in place and PM me. LOL
Good luck to all who bought and best wishes to the seller who assembled this amazing collection.
RJR