Some of the Caribbean's styling was derived from the Pan American Packard show car of the previous year.

[4] Marketers at the time described them as a "sports car, which usually meant anything with a convertible top, lots of performance, a few unique styling touches, and top-of-the-line price tag.

"[5] The company prepared a concept car, the Packard Pan-American, earning positive reception at auto shows during 1952.

[4] The Caribbean was introduced for the 1953 model year as "Packard's sportiest car ... based on the standard Cavalier convertible, with custom touches transforming it into a line-topping stunner.

Bodies for the Caribbean were modified by Mitchell-Bentley Corporation of Ionia, Michigan instead of Briggs Manufacturing Company, who had supplied bodywork to Packard beginning in 1941.

[1] Like the Patrician and the Pacific coupe, the Caribbean also gained heavier "finned" headlight housings, one of the visual cues applied to help differentiate the senior Packards from the lower-priced models.

The single hood scoop was split into two units, and the car also received Packard's Torsion-Level Torsion bar suspension at all four wheels.

Trim styling differences between the 1955 and 1956 cars were minimal, with new tri-tone exterior color combinations the most visible differentiation.

The thick foam rubber cushions eliminated coil springs in the seats, preventing sagging, while the covers could be removed for cleaning [11] The 374 cu in (6.1 L) V8 engine included Packard's "Ultramatic" push-button automatic transmission.

The engine features dual four-barrel carburetors and a 10:1 compression ratio to develop 310 hp (231 kW; 314 PS) and with 405 pound force-feet (549 N⋅m) of torque, the highest-rated power among U.S.