Packard Forum Index » Post-War (1946-54)

Where have the vin, serial or body numbers been located? I've heard there was a theft proof location also. Any help is appreciated.
Bryan

Hi Bryan,
You will get a swift answer here but it would be helpful to know what year Packard you are asking about. The locations varied.

Hello and thanks. It is a 1949 super 8. I see the plate located on the cowl under the hood, drivers side and a small plate above the heater core. I've heard that there is a theft proof location, but I'm not sure it applies to this year.
Bryan

The number on the plate on the cowl just forward of the driver's windshield (the "patent plate") contains the vehicle number (VN, not VIN). The first part of the number defines the car's year, model, and body style. The second part is the sequential production number which started at 2001. A 1949 Packard can be either a 22nd series or a 23rd series so you need to know which you have. Some 1949 22nd series cars were renumbered left-over 1948 models and the VN also will reveal that.

The small plate above the heater box is the Briggs tag, Briggs built the bodies. The number there should be reasonably close to the VN but rarely identical.

Theft-proof numbers began in 1929 and were used thru 1956. Pretty hard to miss, a very large embossed 6-digit number on the firewall with brackets at each end.

I'd appreciate knowing, either publicly or privately via s PM, the vehicle number and theft-proof numbers as I've been analyzing these for some years.

While you are investigating your Super Eight, feel around on top of the outside of the glove box. If you are very, very lucky the original build slip may still be there. If it is, it is probably taped on the two outside edges. Be careful when removing it! It will be extremely brittle and delicate. If it's still there you will know exactly how your car was equipped when it left the factory.

Also check towards the bottom of the gas tank fill tube. You may find a small, folded square of paper wedged between the fill tube and the vent tube. It contains much the same information but may not be legible even when carefully unfolded.

P.S. The 1949 22nd Series and 23rd Series Super Eight had significant differences, so it would be interesting to know which you have.

Hello and thank for the info. I had checked the info you provided, but was trying to confirm. I will get the info and pass it along. The tag on the cowl has the correct VN other than somehow a capital (I) was used in place of a (1) and is causing havoc at DMV.

The "I' is not an error, in the font that Packard used for the vehicle numbers, the numeral "1" took the form of an "I". The attachment is from the Packard Bold type font they used for their advertisements, etc.; although the numerals are not quite the same as used for the patent plates it clearly shows the digit "1" and an "I".

Attach file:

---

  (28.70 KB)

Hello again. I found what I expect is the build slip on top of the box, got it in one piece, have scanned it into the computer and made a copy for my Packard records. Thanks much.

Great, now all I have to do is get the DMV to buy into that explanation. I have documents from this vehicle back to the sales paper, so maybe I can use all of it to get this handled. You all are, or can be life savers for Packard info. Thanks
Bryan

Brian, Take this to the BMV if they have any questions.

https://www.packardinfo.com/xoops/html/downloads/PackardIDNumbers.pdf