Re: vin help

Posted by BH On 2008/1/24 8:47:15

I guess I should have said (more properly) that the second two digits Of the serial number reflect the body style. Together with the Series number, those four digits make up the model number.

Our webmaster, BigKev, wisely chose to provide a search by model number in the "Model Info" section. Thus, you can also browse all models of a given Series or model year. (Keep in mind that some Series spanned more than one year, but some model years included more than one series.) Also, while pages for PreWar models are a work-in-progress, postwar Packards are complete through 1956 (56th Series), and I'm working on 1957 and 1958 for the sake of closure.

Model information is neatly summarized in that section, but know also that model/serial number info is disclosed in factory parts books, which have been widely available as reprints for decades - through major Packard parts vendors as well as clubs.

That said, someone would have to be awfully naive to think they could put a Clipper serial number plate on a limo and get away with it.

However, if the estate included multiple Packards in various stages of repair, there might have been some mix-up in getting them ready for sale. I've seen a lot of damage done to old cars in trying to make them "presentable" for an estate auction; I won't even bid on most of them anymore if I see evidence of any shortcuts.

If you were ripped off, you clearly have some grounds for legal action - civil and criminal. Keep us posted.