Packard Forum Index » Post-War (1946-54)

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The head on the car is cast iron but should be aluminum as shown in this photo from my 1954 Patrician which uses the same engine. Note the smooth, rounded corners.

Windshield is $1500?

It is listed for only $510 for 53-54 Packard, but I know it is for standard four doors. Now I feel I might need to buy it sooner....

vendio.com/stores/bobsclassicautoglass/i ... 4-packard-windshield-c/lid=34213115

The convertible and 2-door hardtop models use different windshields that until very recently were never reproduced. Nevertheless, if the price is good for this car I would jump on it rather than wait while working out all the details!

Price range is hard to say, maybe with some engine work and a lot of cleaning and servicing you could have a driveable car. "If" a 54 Caribbean in fair condition is worth $30,000.00, how much does it take to get this one to fair condition? "If" you could get it to fair condition for $18,000.00 then the car to me is worth $12,000.00. There, I threw down some numbers, that should start a debate!

Now if your like me, I love working on my car, and do everything I can including learning upholstery. So there is the "hobby value" as well, which scores higher if a '54 Caribbean is a "must have" car for you. It's an expensive hobby, but so is golf!

I think tops are rather expensive, so if this one can be used, that's a bonus. Upholstery is also expensive, and even if the leather covers are in good shape, the seats will probably need some rebuilding, maybe restitching. Engine, transmission, drive train, brakes...............who knows!?!?

Some of these things become less of a concern if you're going to do a frame-off restoration because it's just expensive regardless. It's a different story if you're plan is to make it into a nice driver rather than a show car.

It sounds like this car is pretty complete, other than the broken grille, which is a bonus if you don't have to go hunting and paying for too many parts.

I would do everything original myself, including the paint colours.

Is there an asking price?? Sometimes people over-price cars because they don't realize how expensive it is to fix them up. Some cars even if you got them for free are not a good deal.

Keep us posted!

The 53 thru 56 Caribbeans hold enough value that when properly repaired, they will gain value faster than the parts cost you throw at it. Of course, your time will be worth roughly minimum wage, but it's better than the other cars (especially sedans) that you can throw 20k at a 5k car and have a 12k car.

You can also throw 50k at a 5k car and have a 15k car!

I've always been a fan of the 54 Standard Convertible. While essentially the same car as a 54 Caribbean. It doesnt have the expensive special trim parts, hood and bodu modifications.

But then again, it also doesn't demand the same money either.

Everything is relative.

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I would agree, other than I'm not sure I even get the equivalent of minimum wage for my time........maybe if it's the minimum wage I was getting in high school! But maybe that's because it takes me 3 days to replace radiator and heater hoses! And if I were to include the time I spend researching..........yikes, a losing proposition. But this is not my business, it's my hobby!

The correct engine for this car is the 359 ci with an aluminum head. They only made this engine for the big Packards (Patrician, Caribbean, Pacific, Convertible) and only in 1954. These engines can be found but are unique to this year. If you are going to make a driver out of it, a 327 is not a bad swap. The 327 is easy to find and bolts right in without any modification.

My reference to the windshield price is correct. By the time you add shipping, it will be well over $1500. The 51-54 convertibles had a special windshield different from the sedans.

It is a time of trouble when bodystyle is so unique then. Parts are just so pricy!