Welly 1:24 1953 Packard Caribbean Convertible

Classic cars have style that none of the modern counterparts can handle.  Lots of chrome, lots of detail, lots of style, lots of good times.  This is the case for this 1953 Packard Caribbean convertible from Welly.  While the cream yellow was more common, this avocado green version really peaked my interest, and for the first time do I encounter a 1:24 scale loose car where I could only add a few small details personally.

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The Caribbean was based on the Pan-American Packard show can and was sent into production in 1953 as a personal luxury car for Packard.  Based on the Cavalier model range the Caribbean was sold only as a convertible until the last model year where a coupe was offered.  Colors were a limited selection from the factory, though a few special ordered colors were offered as well.  This Packard was the first to have no rear fender skirts and a continental spare tire kit in the rear.  Power windows and an automatic transmission was the only options to the highly decked-out interior.  Moving the Caribbean was the 327 CID 4-barrel L-head Thunderbolt I-8 that produces 180 hp. through a 3-speed automatic.  Production was limited as only 750 was built for the 1953 model year.

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Stare at amazement in this Gulf Green Metallic beauty.  The front has a Chevy/Oldsmobile look to it with round headlights with chrome trim, chrome grille with ribbed center between the foglights/signal lights, chrome trim that wraps to the sides, and a lower chrome bumper with central pads.  The hood has a long scoop that seamlessly integrates into the hood.  The sides have more chrome trim on the windshield trim, exterior mirrors, upper door edge with a slight V, and round flared rear fenders to enhance the subtle side.  The rear has a Cadillac look with quad taillights mated to chrome trim in the center, slightly-peaked fenders, body-colored spare tire cover with Packard logo and chrome center wheel, and a chrome bumper that matches the front bumper.

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Inside is more beauty, but first I had to remove the glue tabs to the top to make the white top removable and make it a true convertible.  There, now you can see the color-matching interior with front and rear two-tone bench seats with ivory cream inserts that mate with the curved color that separates the white from the green on the door panels.  The dashboard has the flat look with the chrome center radio speaker, Packard logo on the glovebox, and a white 3-spoke outer wheel with chrome spokes, ivory on the shifter and turn signal stalks, and chrome on the detailed gauges.  Note the detailed parking brake to the left of the steering wheel and the three black pedals on the floor.  This has to be one of the most highly-detailed 1:24 scale cars that I have ever seen at this lower end of the price range!

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Under the hood the I-8 shines with a silver block deep in the engine bay with black round air box and tubes, detailed battery, distributor, and a few other round canisters.  So detailed that I really had nothing to add (same for the interior and exterior).  The base was the one that needed details so I added silver to the exhaust system, transmission, driveshaft, fuel tank, and steering stabilizer bar.  The front has the lower control arms and engine and transmission details.  The center has a narrow muffler and X-brake to support the convertible body, to the live axle and leaf springs and fuel tank at the rear.  Finally, the amazing lace wheel chrome wheelcovers adorn the whitewall tires.

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All-in-all this is one amazing classic car that is packed with details and loaded with chrome, and not quite as common as typical cars of this era and that's the sweet spot.