Re: Thief-Proof Numbers (body serial numbers)
Posted by Owen_Dyneto On 2014/2/16 11:14:38
I know you wrote an article about your list in The Cormorant, but did you address what Packard did with this information? They seem to put effort to do it for some reason.
Do you have any idea when they changed the stamping dies? This stamping is very crisp and clear, and some are really hard to read.
Several articles, actually - and with an update pending. To my knowledge they never "changed" the font or dies other than for reasons of wear, they simply wore out over time - after all they stamped over 1 million impressions. The stampings especially in the 55/56 era and far less distinct and sharp than they were prewar. Here's a photo of the font and die info. As to why they did it, they started in 1929 and it's stated very plainly in owner's manuals of the era, to allow identification of the vehicle if other numbers were altered or defaced. The data was probably recorded in several ways but the only records we have left are the Vehicle Unit Record or Vehicle Delivery Record cards of which I am fortunate to have copies of perhaps 1000. The record cards varied considerably over time, post-war ones often showing name, address, & occupation of the buyer and details on the trade-in car & allowance, and other details.
And yes, I did snag the numbers from that 51 convertible, but thanks for bringing it to my attention.
PS - adding another example of a record card, this one from Atlanta branch courtesy of the Don Taccone collection. The Syracuse/Elmira document courtesy of Ray Pautz.
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Do you have any idea when they changed the stamping dies? This stamping is very crisp and clear, and some are really hard to read.
Several articles, actually - and with an update pending. To my knowledge they never "changed" the font or dies other than for reasons of wear, they simply wore out over time - after all they stamped over 1 million impressions. The stampings especially in the 55/56 era and far less distinct and sharp than they were prewar. Here's a photo of the font and die info. As to why they did it, they started in 1929 and it's stated very plainly in owner's manuals of the era, to allow identification of the vehicle if other numbers were altered or defaced. The data was probably recorded in several ways but the only records we have left are the Vehicle Unit Record or Vehicle Delivery Record cards of which I am fortunate to have copies of perhaps 1000. The record cards varied considerably over time, post-war ones often showing name, address, & occupation of the buyer and details on the trade-in car & allowance, and other details.
And yes, I did snag the numbers from that 51 convertible, but thanks for bringing it to my attention.
PS - adding another example of a record card, this one from Atlanta branch courtesy of the Don Taccone collection. The Syracuse/Elmira document courtesy of Ray Pautz.
Attach file:
(100.06 KB)
(64.76 KB)
(175.09 KB)
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