Owen- The number plate is screwed to the firewall and it is metal. I did miss a digit . Checking the photo the number is I 287 2064.
The number stamped into the cowl is 470608.
The metal plate with the serial number says Packard motor company and then gives the Johnstown PA address and December 7 1938 date.
Sorry for any confusion.
When I add the car to the registry I will try to upload photos of both numbers. The ID plate is quite tarnished and I will try to clean it off for any other data but the info appears to be patent information and nothing specific to the car.
If there are other locations where there may be identification information please advise.
I would like to determine if the six cylinder engine is original to the car . Not so much concerned with impact on value as to be sure about any parts for engine rebuild.
Thanks
RjR

oops- the cowl number is 407608

Hauled the Packard home today and aside from losing the brakes on my pickup,it was a good day. Fortunately the brake line broke in the seller's driveway and not moving a highway speeds. The truck, loaded with my fenders and misc. parts got to ride home on a rollback.
The data plate on the car lists I 289- 264 and what appear to be a lot of patent information . The cowl is stamped 407608.
Most interesting to me is the car data plate indicates Johnstown PA 12- 20-1938 which seems to confirm that the car was sold here and stayed in the area.
Dealing with the Caribbean was a learning experience and I assume the 1938 will be the same.
Is there any way to determine the original color for exterior / interior?
The car is currently painted yellow with a light tan interior. The seats were clearly recovered in Naugahyde but I assume with a drop top they would have been leather.
I will try to order the service manual and parts book shortly but was hoping for any hints.
Thanks
RJR

I wish I could say that your recent post inspired my comment....but I missed it. Just think getting the cars into the Registry is a good idea. If I can figure out how to post a picture this time, I will be elated.
Stay well and thanks for the tip on floor panels.

Just bought a 38 Roadster.....need something to keep me broke and off the couch once the weather turns cold.
The car is pretty solid and the seller has secured new rust free fenders and had most of the major chrome done. The engine is supposed to run but he had pulled the radiator and distributor so it will be a while before that becomes an issue....will probably opt for a rebuild while it is out of the car.
The floor pans...especially front driver side ...appear to have rusted through.
My initial question is whether there is anyone out there selling replacement floor pans or whether it will be necessary to fabricate them?
Once I get the car moved to the garage I am sure I will have a lot more questions.

Thanks in advance for any info.....and yes...I will add it to the Registry as soon as I get it to my garage.
RJR

I have never had the chance to ride in a Tesla but I have commented to many people that the torsion ride of the 55 Caribbean is pretty impressive on the potholes and rough surfaces that we call roads here in Western Pennsylvania. I think it is actually quieter going over bumps and railroad tracks than the newer Audi and BMW's that I have driven on the same roads.
I drove the car to Hershey on the Pennsylvania Turnpike last Fall and it cruised smoothly at 60-70 mph.
The car was fitted with gas filled shocks at the suggestion of Kamters and rolls on American Classic radials.
It would be nice if it handled and stopped like a new BMW but those vehicles never draw waves or thumbs up received while cuising in the Packard with the top down......and I have never had an identical car parked next to the Caribbean in a restaurant parking lot.

Replacing the windshield rubber is not an easy job. If you have to cut the rubber to remove the trim, find someone who has done the replacement to do the installation. That may have been the nastiest job during the restoration of the Caribbean.

The local PPG distributor was able to do color match for my 55 Caribbean from old color cards. We used single stage urethane for the white on advise of Pat Aldrich( to avoid,dust) and base/clear urethane for the two greens.

I agree with Leeedy that the nitrocellulose lacquers were durable....but while some is still available color match is limited. We did shoot some black a few years ago and it was spectacular.

Looks to me that the problem with installing an aftermarket radio.in a Packard has been around forever. No one produces an aftermarket automotive stereo/mp3 unit for cars with positive ground.
The photo shows a solution to the problem that still works---install the negative ground system with its own power supply.
Only problem is that the battery is not being charged by the generator and you can run out of juice.

I am not sure if this is still true, but I bought the carpeting from Neil when I was doing my Caribbean. He had a guy available to cut the carpeting and install the proper edging and heel pads.
My only serious problem with the carpet set supplied is that it did not come with any of the jute padding that normally is attached to pre-made sets that I had purchased for other projects which required acquiring padding and building up the matting to get something approaching an original appearance.
If I were doing it again I might elect to just buy the carpet and allow a professional to do the cutting and finish work.