Re: VIN verifications in California

Posted by Owen_Dyneto On 2018/9/17 17:42:36

As far as I know Packard never used a second "secret" hidden VN (vehicle number, not a VIN - that's entirely different). Their fourth significant and important number used on senior cars 1936 and earlier (and perhaps others) was the frame number, usually stamped on the frame side face just above the trunnion block (rear shackle of front left spring). It's a 6-digit number in the same series as the motor number and preceded and followed by a star.

I was just recently involved in preparing a California-titled 1934 1101 for export to Finland; even though the original patent plate and VN was available, it was titled by CA using the frame number and this the fourth time I've seen this, all on CA-titled 1936 or earlier Packards. The frame number is not recorded on the vehicle delivery card which for many years was the Packard document that recorded the VN, motor number, and theft-proof number in a single document.