I'VE GOT MAIL! #66 March 16, 2021

Reaching in my mailbox and finding an envelope from one of the mints back in the day always got an immediate smile and gave my heart a flutter.  It would always be the first envelope I opened, no matter what was in the mail for that day.  A simple Flyer this time from Danbury, but one that got an "oh man, are you kidding?" exclamation from me!  

This wasn't another Chevy or a repaint of an existing model, it was a NEW model!  And not just any model, but one that wasn't on the radar and I'll admit one that wasn't even dreamed one of the mints would produce.  General Motors with their Cadillac and Ford Motor Co. with their Lincoln, hit absolute Home Runs in 1956 in the beauty department.  They delivered cars that looked and were elite, but also showed their owners they were elite too.  But hold on, because PACKARD was able to stand proudly next to both marques and be every bit as elite as they were.  As Packard advertised, "Just Ask the Man Who Owns One".  

Danbury Mint presents the 1956 PACKARD CARIBBEAN HARDTOP!

This model is perfect and for those that like "features", this one even offered inter-changeable seats!  The striking "Three-Tone" color combination was tastefully done and wasn't overdone.  The classic taillights that in every way rivaled Cadillac and Lincoln were equally attractive.  It has always been my personal opinion that for 1956 Cadillac, Lincoln, and PACKARD were the three most beautiful cars of the Fifties Decade.  

As history tells us, PACKARD was struggling, but their '56 entry in the luxury car market certainly said they were trying and still a contender.  Yes they were "facelifted" from their '55's, and yes this was the last year that "true" Packard's would be sold, and if we want to point a finger at the problem, the name Studebaker pops to mind.