Re: Was a 1955 Caribbean modified to make a 1956 Caribbean prototype?

Posted by Leeedy On 2024/1/18 15:59:59

Quote:

I have discovered over a lifetime of keeping records on these cars that factory build slips are merely factory build slips.

Cars that were actually in the marketplace, out on the street or even with dealerships and distributors sometimes differed. Some were changed after the factory orders were filed (these came over a Telex at Conner Avenue). These changes took place at factory prep, distributors, dealerships. And then there were customers who insisted additions/changes at delivery or after delivery. These were Packard customers (most accustomed to being catered to by dealers) in an era of when you ordered a car rather than taking "the blue one or red one" simply because they were pre-ordered and sitting on the lot– like today. And Caribbeans were the creme-de-la-creme of V8 Packards. Therefore, someone buying one of these cars new was not merely a generic "John Q. Customer."

I had a 1956 Caribbean hardtop with factory underseat heater. I have inspected others that were likewise so equipped.

But yes, officially underseat heaters were not standard equipment on 1956 Caribbeans. One of the reasons (and a Packard engineer told me this) was the difference in the seat design and issues related to it.