Re: Was a 1955 Caribbean modified to make a 1956 Caribbean prototype?
Posted by HH56 On 2024/1/15 21:03:26
Quote:
The late Randy Berger posted this photo of a Caribbean with underseat heater and if you are an owner of a Caribbean with underseat heater it may be your car.
I would think the reason the heater was not available in 56 Caribbeans is with the change to the open seat frame, lack of a hiding structure presented a problem. Unless a new heater or a change to some kind of sheetmetal with a more finished look was added to hide the heater box and protect the core, IMO it would be very vulnerable to damage and definitely not up to Packard esthetic standards for a high end car. In the scheme of things and with the other problems they had in 56, a second heater for a low production model was probably not a very high priority item so it was dropped and a different heater was maybe intended to be back later.
As to being damaged, expect many kids were like my brother and I in 56. If we were bored, confined in the back seat, and not being carefully watched, if presented with such an intriguing item like that core with all the little holes I could only imagine what mischief we would have tried doing with it.
Attach file:
56Carib Underseat heater.jpg (114.09 KB)
When it comes to V8 Caribbeans, underseat heater equipment was standard for 55th only. Though initially offered as standard for 56th, it was later withdrawn. I don't know the whole story, but crunch has one with, IIRC.
The late Randy Berger posted this photo of a Caribbean with underseat heater and if you are an owner of a Caribbean with underseat heater it may be your car.
I would think the reason the heater was not available in 56 Caribbeans is with the change to the open seat frame, lack of a hiding structure presented a problem. Unless a new heater or a change to some kind of sheetmetal with a more finished look was added to hide the heater box and protect the core, IMO it would be very vulnerable to damage and definitely not up to Packard esthetic standards for a high end car. In the scheme of things and with the other problems they had in 56, a second heater for a low production model was probably not a very high priority item so it was dropped and a different heater was maybe intended to be back later.
As to being damaged, expect many kids were like my brother and I in 56. If we were bored, confined in the back seat, and not being carefully watched, if presented with such an intriguing item like that core with all the little holes I could only imagine what mischief we would have tried doing with it.
Attach file:
56Carib Underseat heater.jpg (114.09 KB)This Post was from: https://packardinfo.com/xoops/html/modules/newbb/viewtopic.php?post_id=266965