Re: 1949 Custom Eight Touring Sedan

Posted by Owen_Dyneto On 2009/7/22 10:22:43

The 2252 tells you it's a 22nd series Custom 8 sedan, the -9- tells you it was either factory renumbered or manufactured to sell as a 1949 model, though they are essentiall identical the the 1948 models. The renumbering was to let dealers avoid the consequences of selling a 1948 as a left-over when the 1949 (22nd series) cars were identical.

The 8008 tells you it was the 6008th 22nd series Custom 8 sedan manufactured. The 2252-7882 is the production number assigned by the body manufacturer, Briggs. The bodies were shipped from Briggs to Packard, sometimes stored for a while, and thus the numbers don't necessarily correlate; yours is typically close.

The large, embossed 840024 is known as the body serial number or "thief-proof" number, and number do be used when ordering parts or requesting service from Packard if the other numbers have been altered or obliterated.

All of the above sounds correct, but you might locate (driver's side) the engine# and check against that data elsewhere on this website to determine if it is in the correct range for that year and model.

Your casting number is actually combining two numbers, the last digits, 356, tell you the head is from a 356 cubic inch engine which this model should have. The balance of the casting number isn't of much consequence though you should also find a casting date which should be in line with a 1948-49 car.