Orange County surprises us (well not really) with another fantastic classic.

Year: 1954

Make: Packard

Model: Caribbean

We must admit that American cars never really did much for us. There was a time however, that America was manufacturing some of the finest automobiles in the world, particularly in the pre-war era. Some of the early Cadillac’s, Lincolns, Packard’s and most certainly Duesenberg’s were indeed world class cars that rivaled any other marque.

When it comes to post-war American iron however, there really is not much out there that we find all that stimulating. It seems as though America was possessed with a booming post war economy and quantity became somehow more important than quality when it came to the automobile. It has also seemed to stay that way; perhaps another article for another day…..

Then it happens, we find a really great American car, this is one.

In 1953 Packard released their newly designed Caribbean. The Caribbean was the brain child of then company President James Nance and was part of his effort to restore Packard’s pure-luxury image, the intent being to boost sales after years of decline due to primary focus on medium priced cars.

The Caribbean borrowed styling cues from the 1952 Packard Pan American show car. The price was an astonishing $5,210.00- $1,000.00 more than the Cadillac 62 Convertible of the same year. Exclusivity was the plan and it seems to have worked, only 750 happy customers stepped up and bought the Caribbean in 1953.

In 1954 Packard added flat top rear wheel arches, giving the car a longer look and provided two-tone paint, radio, heater, power seats and power windows as standard equipment. The already powerful in-line 8 cylinder engines capacity was also increased to 359 cubic inches and horsepower was increased to 212; making Packard’s straight 8 the most potent American post war in-line 8 cylinder engine. Price was also increased to an optimistic $6,100.00. Only 400 1954 Packard Caribbeans found buyers that year.

Packard Caribbeans were produced from 1953 through the 1956 model year. Hard top coupes were produced as well, but, only for the 1956 production year.

This Car:

This beautifully restored 1954 Caribbean is the handy work of Packard Guru Robert Escalante and his craftsmen at Custom Auto Service in Santa Ana; one of, if not the best, Packard restoration specialists in the country.

This wonderful car is finished in two-tone White/Black with matching interior. It was originally ordered by and built for Mrs. Edward Brenner and the original dash plaque is still in the same position that it was placed some 54 years ago. The car runs and drives extraordinarily well and most certainly exudes an air of absolute opulence even after all this time.

We again have to admit that even though we are not normally American car fans, this one has somehow captured our attention and then some. Yes, it is big, no it is not nimble, it is powerful for its era and is most certainly luxurious-regardless of age.

This Packard does however, prove a point. If we as Americans wanted to build some of the finest automobiles in the world, we could-we did.

www.occarenthusiast.com