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Hello,

I’m hoping someone here might be able to assist me.

My grandfather, Kurt Karl Jedel, from Austin, Manitoba, Canada, was an avid car restorer and enthusiast. When I was a little girl, he restored and showed several classic cars. I’m now hoping to reconnect with one of his restorations.

The specific car I’m searching for is a 1953 Packard Caribbean Convertible, which he restored in the late 1960s or early 1970s. My family believes this car was purchased by, or donated to, a museum in British Columbia sometime in the early 1980s.

I understand this may be a long shot, and it’s possible the current owner may not want to part with it. Regardless, I would love to have any information about the car’s whereabouts, whether it’s on display at a museum or held in a private collection.

Unfortunately, my uncle—who likely has most of the original documents related to my grandfather’s cars—is battling rapid progression early onset dementia, and we’re unsure where those records might be.

We do have some old books, parts manuals, and even a newspaper article about this particular car. Above all, I would love to own a piece of our family’s history and one day pass it on to my children.

If anyone has any information or can point me in the right direction, I would be deeply grateful.

Thank you so much for your time and consideration.

Please post a photo showing the paint/color scheme if you have one.

The best thing to find would be an old registration or photocopy of the title, which shows the vehicle number.

PBREWS, welcome. I can’t help with your search for this car, best of luck. but I do have some letters from Karl to my father! From many years ago. When a youngster, my father would take me out to visit Karl & see his cars.? My dad was originally from Brandon MB

newspaper clipping I found
PM me, I can give you a gentlemen's name in Winnipeg that might help

PBREWS, to PackardInfo.
A possibility, altough a slim one, is the Roster Keeper in Packard Automobile Classics Club for '53 Carribeans may have some info on previous ownerships on the Packard you are interested in.

Likewise any car club. your Grandfather was a member of, may have records or members who know the car in question.

I certainly remember the name and membership rosters from the Packard Club for 1981 and 1985 (The only old ones that I have) show Karl with many Packards including a 1954 Caribbean convertible. No mention of a 1953 Caribbean.

Edit - just saw the clipping posted by Dads 56 and the photo is definitely a 1953 Caribbean

This is the car I’m looking for. But would be interested in finding any of them. Thanks for the information! The hunt begins!

I see in the newspaper cutting reference is made to the International Packard Club this might mean "Packards International" being the other major Packard club in the hobby besides PAC.

It's another possibility at least.

Speaking of which local, historical societies or libaries are other sources you could investigate.

It's unfortunate that there's no date on the newspaper clipping, but the Packard Club (PAC) membership directory and handbook shows that the club's first National Meet was held in Colorado Springs, Colorado from August 23rd through the 25th, 1966. Interesting to read that Packard produced only 30 Caribbeans in 1953; most other sources put production at 750.