Packard Forum Index » V-8 (1955-56)

07.12.2023

Ellingson motors has a tri color convertible for sale. Anyone know anything about this car?

https://www.ellingsonmotorcars.com/inventory/915/1955-packard-caribbean-convertible

Can you take a look at the undercarriage images? Thoughts? I do not know these cars but I really think this thing is good looking.

No need to discuss pricing, just wondering how correct this vehicle is.

Thanks
Chris

Looks pretty good to me. Chassis/drivetrain paint and trunk upholstery I am not sure on... you shouldn't be able to see the back of the rear seat. Some noticeable wear on the driver door, one exhaust pipe is longer than the other, and the top looks uneven from storage, are the only other things I noticed.

There is some odd bracketry and a reinforcement bolted on around the leveler mechanism. Can not imagine why. So make sure that the leveler is working properly. It seems it is as the car is nice and level in the photos and that is often not the case.

I really like the fact that the leather has sheen, as it should.

"odometer reads" means nothing.

The car looks good, but shows evidence of a superficial refurbishment. The undercar areas appear to have been treated to a spray can restoration. None of this condemns the car, but before I paid big $ for it, I'd want a licensed inspector to look at it, drive it, and create a full, documented report on its condition. If the seller objects to a thorough inspection by a licensed professional, that's a big red flag.

PS: That's probably Zircon Blue. (?)

Quote:

Ross has already pointed out the minor strangeness underneath.

Inside, the lower cushion seat bolsters are too flat and should be much puffier.

Nice to see reflective red Scotchlite hexagons on the wire wheel center covers –as they came from the this way from the factory. Repop covers are painted red..

However the glaring item I see (that no one seems to have noticed) is the Cadillac Eldorado batwing air cleaner. For those who might argue, there it is! Sitting right there on top of the carburetors.

As I told someone who doubted me at the recent PAC National Meet... Cadillac Eldorado batwings will drop right onto a Packard Caribbean engine. Just turn them backwards. SOME Cadillac batwings have larger hanging pots than Caribbeans and can hit the rocker covers. Otherwise everything fits.

Dead giveaway clues are that this car has a Cadillac air cleaner. The chrome drawer-pull knobs holding the pots (Caribbeans used special wing nuts) and the diecast chrome "V" symbol on top of the housing. Cadillac stuff, not Packard.

The lower blue looks way too light. I think they picked the wrong color.

In addition to what has already been said.

It is missing the 2 baffles on the engine, by the fuel filter, and the valley pan.

A lot of overspray on the engine too.

The spare tire well looks like it has some repair patching visible.
So check for any other rust repair.

The right front fender has paint drip visible?

It is a nice looking car, but should be looked over in person.

Thank you for the feedback.

Chris