The 1956 Caribbean's seats were reversible — cloth on one side, leather on the other, with removable covers — so owners could flip them with the season or just clean them easier.
Lead trim: Caribbean 352 cu in OHV V8 (275 bhp, 1955) · up to 310 hp
Packard Caribbean1955–1956
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Nobody in Burbles has spotted a Packard Caribbean yet. See one on the street, point the app at it, and the first card is yours — with your @handle permanently credited on this page.
FactThe 1956 Caribbean's seats were reversible — cloth on one side, leather on the other, with removable covers — so owners could flip them with the season or just clean them easier.
In 1955 the Caribbean fully adopted the senior Packard line styling with the new Packard-developed overhead-valve V8 (352 cu in, 275 bhp) and Torsion-Level torsion-bar suspension at all four wheels, restyled by Dick Teague with two- or three-tone paint and a split hood scoop; 500 were built at US$5,932. For 1956 the Caribbean was a separate luxury series with a hardtop added (263 hardtops and 276 convertibles, the convertible US$5,995): a 374 cu in (6.1 L) V8 with dual four-barrel carburetors and 10:1 compression developing 310 hp and 405 lb-ft of torque, the highest-rated power among U.S. automobiles, push-button Ultramatic, a 12-volt system, electric door locks and a limited-slip rear differential, with reversible cloth-and-leather seat cushions; the model ended when Detroit production shut down. Wheelbase 127 in, length 216.5 in, width 77.8 in, height 62.9 in.
Collectors Spotted in the Packard Caribbean Lineage
No member has published a public street spot of the Packard Caribbean yet — the First · Worldwide stamp is wide open.
Trims & Figures
2 published trims in the catalogue. A blank is a figure not recorded, not zero.
| Trim | Years | Engine | Power | Torque | 0–60 | Drive | Gearbox | MSRP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Caribbean 352 cu in OHV V8 (275 bhp, 1955) | 1955–1955 | 5.8 L V8 | 275 hp | 355 lb-ft | — | — | — | — |
| Caribbean 374 cu in dual-quad OHV V8 (310 hp, 405 lb-ft, 1956) | 1956–1956 | 6.1 L V8 | 310 hp | 405 lb-ft | — | — | — | — |
Owning one
We don’t estimate running costs for a car like this. What it costs depends on its condition, its specialist and how it is driven, and an average would mislead.
Owners’ builds
Nobody has claimed one yet.
Photographs
The 1956 Caribbean's seats were reversible — cloth on one side, leather on the other, with removable covers — so owners could flip them with the season or just clean them easier.
Packard's flagship 1953 Caribbean came in just four advertised colors — anyone wanting Ivory or Black had to special-order it.
Rivals
Same body, same money, other badges — tap any card to flip.
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