Re: 1955 Caribbean Manual Trans.

Posted by Owen_Dyneto On 2009/11/23 13:05:35

Amythyst (probably spelled wrong) & Carnation were I believe the colors you referred to. Those cars used a special paint code on the VN plate which was used for all the small batch "field-test" colors and was not specific to any of them. If memory serves the code was "R". Some good articles have appeared over the years in TPC on these special colors.

On the subject of what was or would have been done by the factory versus the dealer, hard evidence is not abundant. But I think common sense says that unless the factory had codes for some of these changes, they would find it more practical to farm the work to the selling dealer.

Rusty, I really can't comment on your question of what the factory policies were; on the topic of standard shift in V8 Caribbeans I'm guided mostly by the fact that the engine plant had separate build codes for standard shift or ultramatic for some models (flex plate or flywheel), but NOT for the Caribbean (or the Patrician or 400 either, if I recall correctly).

PS - I believe the 1953 Caribbean was the only Caribbean where the standard shift w/ or w/o overdrive was available w/o question.