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Gorgeous, 3 Owner, 1953 Caribbean Convertible
#1
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gz
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The 1953 Packard Caribbean Convertibles were inspired by the 1952 Packard Pan American show car. The bodies for the semi-custom Caribeans were built by the Mitchell-Bentley Corporation of Ionia, Michigan. Only 750 were built during 1953 and carried a factory price of about 5,200.00. Standard equipment on all Caribbeans included full leather interior, chrome plated wire wheels, and a rear continental kit.
By the late 1960s, Bill Mitchell, the owner of Mitchell-Bentley was beginning to assemble a collection of cars for his Ionia, Michigan museum. His focus was on Mitchell automobiles as well as those vehicles built and/or modified by his company. He purchased this 1953 Packard Caribbean from the original owner. This Caribbean was owned by Mitchell until the museum was sold in 2014 and it was purchased by its third and current owner.
Over the years, Mitchell regularly used the Caribbean. He had it professionally restored in the 1990s, although it was still a very original car and required little in the way of restoration. The car was regularly driven and always maintained. The mileage shown is about 86,000, which is likely to be original.
Today, this car is ready to use and enjoy. It runs and drives excellent. All systems work properly and the car has been recently serviced. The paint is in excellent condition as is the interior. All of the body panels are straight and solid. The engine bay is extremely clean and well detailed. It is super clean inside and out, top to bottom. It looks and sits right from all angles.
This is a rare opportunity to own a desirable, three-owner, post war Packard. The asking price is 74,000.00 but all offers will be considered. Located in Dayton, Ohio.
For more information or to schedule an inspection, please email:motoringicons@hotmail.com or call 734-730-4274. Thank you.

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Posted on: 2017/10/9 17:51
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Re: Gorgeous, 3 Owner, 1953 Caribbean Convertible
#2
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HH56
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Nice looking car. Did the Caribbeans get a different treatment under the hood since it was finished offsite or are there a couple of errors in what looks to be an otherwise nicely maintained or restored car. I refer to the engine color and the routing of the long heater hose. We'll ignore the fuel filter since I'm not sure that isn't a more usable choice anyway but it does stick out.

Posted on: 2017/10/9 18:55
Howard
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Re: Gorgeous, 3 Owner, 1953 Caribbean Convertible
#3
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Let the ride decide
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I was wondering about the interior, and the top bows.
Waiting for those who know to comment.

Posted on: 2017/10/9 19:17
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Re: Gorgeous, 3 Owner, 1953 Caribbean Convertible
#4
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Owen_Dyneto
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It's a pretty car, but neither paint nor upholstery correspond to the 4 available standard offerings.

Posted on: 2017/10/9 22:52
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Re: Gorgeous, 3 Owner, 1953 Caribbean Convertible
#5
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Caribbeandude
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gorgeous car that appears to be restored as a fun driver, I wonder what color code is on the door post plate? I've ran across 6 to 7 red cars but never have verified a true data plate indicating an original red car. I have verified two black X code cars

Posted on: 2017/10/9 23:44
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Re: Gorgeous, 3 Owner, 1953 Caribbean Convertible
#6
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Leeedy
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While the Mitchell-Bentley 1953-54 Caribbean conversions were indeed done at Ionia, Michigan, the Mitchell Museum was not in Ionia. It was located at Owosso, Michigan where the descendent Mitchell Corporation was headquartered.

Oh... and as a point of interest for real car nuts, special 1967-68 Shelby-Mustangs were assembled on the very same assembly line as the 1953-54 Packard Caribbeans at Ionia. The facility was being operated by famous A.O. Smith Company at this time.

Don Mitchell was the actual owner of Mitchell-Bentley. William "Bill" Mitchell was his son who ascended to running things when Don passed.

As for the car, I've seen this Caribbean numerous times up close. The black canvas top with red piping is pure custom. They just weren't done this way by the factory. Original top bows on all of these cars were white and they didn't use canvas, they used Orlon.

Yes, the engine color is wrong as are other underhood details, but not surprising since such things are usually morphed today when people don't know any better.

As for the colors, the body is orange, not red. Either way, not an original standard factory color. And yes, I have photos I took years ago of the door jamb tag.

However... the question mark here is that the Mitchell Museum claimed this car was ordered new by famous singer, Perry Como. So. Were all these colors/features custom-ordered when new? And is there a provenance that Perry Como indeed ordered and purchased this Caribbean?? This is the big question here.

Posted on: 2017/10/16 15:22
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Re: Gorgeous, 3 Owner, 1953 Caribbean Convertible
#7
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gz
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Price has been significantly reduced to 59,500.00. A few more photos.....

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Posted on: 2017/10/31 20:28
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Re: Gorgeous, 3 Owner, 1953 Caribbean Convertible
#8
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gz
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SOLD! Thank you.

Posted on: 2018/2/20 13:34
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Re: Gorgeous, 3 Owner, 1953 Caribbean Convertible
#9
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flyntgr
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Congratulations on the sale! That was a gorgeous car which ought to be driven, shown, and enjoyed! I would have been excited to own it myself. "Come away with me, I'm on my way to the stars...."

Posted on: 2018/3/10 9:55
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