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

Spurred by recent Cormorant articles on what went wrong in the Fifties, am continuing a discussion of 1953 opportunities started in other threads. This post focuses on the 2-door hardtop and convertible.

One of the challenges here was that Packard offered nothing that competed with Coupe de Ville and Series 62 convertible. Could this have been corrected quickly and affordably? Perhaps. Here are some steps that could have been taken.

Hardtop Coupe:
- new roof, flatter than Mayfair (minimum 1 inch lower)
- new backlight with more rake than Mayfair
- beltline removed and handles moved to doors, which Design had wanted for '51
- new side glass and vent windows
- 5 inch increase in wheelbase forward of windshield, either by mounting Mayfair body on longer Patrician chassis/floorpan or tooling a new frame
- front fenders lengthened 5 inches in off-line area in Conner

Convertible
- all body changes from coupe
- new top designed to fit standard rather than existing convertible's shorter deck, for improved appearance at expense of rear legroom
- new side glass but coupe vent windows

Both:
- optional rear mount with bumper modified to hug body like '56 T-Bird
- optional wire wheels
- 327 OHV Eight running down existing line; ~ 220-225 HP

Pricing:
- same as CdV and 62 Convertible

Naming:
- Caribbean

I prefer to use factory photos but in this case couldn't find good side views, so I offer much appreciation to those who own the beautiful cars that these work-ups are based on.

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Interesting ideas about a senior Caribbean convertible and hardtop. I could see both having a continental kit in order to have them be more similar in styling and appearance. JWL

Agreed. It also helps balance the proportions of the extra long hood.

Here's a swag at adding a spare and doing a convertible. Am also including another possible member of the Caribbean family... a 4 door sedan on 132 wb, chassis of which could have done double duty as basis for 5 inch longer Patrician formal sedan of standard axle-dash length.

Have worked in Nash handles too. Wouldn't have stuck out so far and look more modern. This could have been the first step towards sharing with Nash, their integrated A/C being used by Packard the following year.

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They could have also run out a few parade phaetons the way Chrysler did. Great opportunity for public exposure.

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