1953 Packard Caribbeans: Out in the Cold

Imagine my surprise when, on the way to a lunch meeting, I couldn't help but see the faceless front of a turquoise Packard peeping out from behind a closed service station.While I like the 1951 to '54 models, I didn't think too much of it, but when I was next driving past, I decided to stop and take a closer look. I expected a sedan, but once I saw it was a convertible, I was more intrigued. 

I looked briefly, took a number on the front of the building and made a call a few days later. The owner confirmed that not only was it a 1953 Packard convertible, there were two, and they were both Caribbeans. (I had totally missed the one without the front clip.) Here in Youngstown, Ohio, just 15 miles away from the Packard Museum in nearby Warren, Ohio, are two of the most sought-after post-war Packards. Two remaining from 750 built in 1953, and although one looks like it is more of a parts car, anything is restorable.

It was sleeting when I took the pictures, and the cars are behind a fence, so these are the best pictures I can get for the time being. 

Spotters guide: The 53 and 54 look very similar, especially with no grille/front chrome, but the 1953, the first year for the Caribbean, has fully open rear wheels, while the 1954 has half enclosed ones.

I must say that I am very surprised that, although the green/turquoise car looks like a restoration project, I can't see using another Caribbean as a parts car. It looks as though someone has done that. It can't be doing either of them any good to be out in the Ohio elements - even a cheap tarpaulin would have been helpful. Perhaps these cars will yet be rescued.
Interested in more to do with Packards? Try the website mentioned above here.