55 Caribbean

Posted by Owen_Dyneto On 2009/4/5 19:46:29

I believe I'm quite familiar with the 1956 Caribbean convertibles, but haven't had much exposure to the 1955 models. I saw one tonight that's low mileage, been barn-stored for decades with just an occasional excursion out into the sunlight, and owned by the same man all these years, probably since the 70s. It's such a rare oppotunity to see a preserved but unmolested car and make note of all the little details.

VN is 5588-128X, trim code #96. Couldn't get the door open far enough to see the paint code but it's white over red over black. Extremely unusual thief-proof number, essentially a one-of-a-kind format. Meaning unknown to me at this point, perhaps even a manufacturing error.

Two curious features which I'd invite comment on. (1) the convertible top has a red inner liner, but the exterior is Haartz cloth not unlike a 1954 top, not diamond-point synthetic (vinyl-like) as I expected to see.

Under the carpet on the driver's side, on the flat but somewhat adjacent to the hump and about 7 inches rear of the accelerator, is a round access panel in the floor with a reinforced plate rim around it, diameter perhaps 2 inches. If there was a cover, it's missing. Don't think I ever saw this on a 56. Comments?