Re: The Door Lock that Wouldn't

Posted by Owen_Dyneto On 2013/6/7 11:09:06

As long as we're on the subject, should owners of older Packards stumble across this thread, Packard's standard for locks and keys in the mid-30s (before built-in trunks and locking glove boxes, and how much before and after I don't know) was a dedicated key for the ignition and a second key for the door lock and the Oakes lock on the sidemounts (if so equipped). They used the same ignition lock cylinder from 1935 thru 1956 and key numbers for most of that time were P-1251 to P-1500; prior to 1935 and back to the earlier 30s the range was P-601 to P-700. If you have a well preserved Packard between 1924 and 1937 (and perhaps earlier and later) you can often still find the key numbers stamped in ink on the reverse of the patent plate. There, for those who didn't know it, the secret is out about where they hid the key numbers!! All a knowledgeable car thief had to do was open the hood, remove and flip over the patent plate, select from only 250 (or less) keys, and drive your Packard away.

If anyone has a patent plate earlier than 1924 (1st Series Single Eight and Six) or later than 1937 that has the key numbers stamped on the reverse of the patent plate, that would be useful information.