J3Studio Posted April 29, 2019 Share Posted April 29, 2019 At the Tupelo Automobile Museum auction last weekend, a 1955 Packard Caribbean sold for $28,000 including buyer's premium: https://www.bonhams.com/auctions/25593/lot/495/ Allegedly running and driving but in need of maintenance, it was also in what I think is the "correct" color combination—I believe it's called Dover White, Scottish Heather, and Maltese Gray. Bonham's expected it to sell in the $40,000 to $70,000 range, but it didn't come close. What happened, O educated Packard folks? Is the price paid for deferred maintenance and sitting around in museum so much that this particular car couldn't even get to Hagerty's #4/Fair money? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alsancle Posted April 30, 2019 Share Posted April 30, 2019 I’m gonna guess condition was bad. Otherwise one of the many dealers in attendance would have paid more. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
J3Studio Posted April 30, 2019 Author Share Posted April 30, 2019 1 hour ago, alsancle said: I’m gonna guess condition was bad. Otherwise one of the many dealers in attendance would have paid more. That was my thought. It was hard to tell from the photographs as to how close or far it was from (say) it's sister at the National Packard Museum. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alsancle Posted April 30, 2019 Share Posted April 30, 2019 As a general rule, pictures lie. If a car looks like an eight out of 10 in the pictures, chances are it is a 5 or 6. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
auburnseeker Posted April 30, 2019 Share Posted April 30, 2019 Look close at the detail photos. While it would be a fun driver as is, it's a used car that many would say needs full restoration. It almost looks like a survivor. All the chrome is worn and scratched, but not badly pitted. paint is the same. Front seat looks like the foam is deteriorating under the covers which are far from fresh but still usable. It was probably sold spot on price wise. If one wants to just tour around in a 55 Packard this would be a good one. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alsancle Posted April 30, 2019 Share Posted April 30, 2019 A 55 Caribbean may be the most expensive and complicated car of the 1950s to restore. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
J3Studio Posted April 30, 2019 Author Share Posted April 30, 2019 14 minutes ago, alsancle said: A 55 Caribbean may be the most expensive and complicated car of the 1950s to restore. But so gorgeous! They have been a favorite of mine of for decades. However, when I got even a little educated, I got the sense that I will never have one, because of that "expensive and complicated" thing. My taste in 1950s cars definitely tends toward the high end. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alsancle Posted April 30, 2019 Share Posted April 30, 2019 I guess they are completely different, but my advice would be a 53/54 or a 53 Skylark. Simple mechanics. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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