Re: How do I validate 1954 Clipper Deluxe transmission

Posted by HH56 On 2018/7/1 17:18:21

The door post number is the official vehicle number.

5492 denotes a 54 Clipper Deluxe 4 door sedan on the 5401 Chassis. 9418 is a sequence number. I believe 54 started at 2001 making yours the 7418th Deluxe built. If I am wrong on the starting number someone will correct and give you the proper number so adjust accordingly.

5493 on the small tag screwed to the firewall and commonly called the Briggs tag was put on by the body builder and doesn't appear to be a valid number. Perhaps it is a poor stamping and is actually 5492?? The sequence numbers may be different because the body may not have been placed on the assembly line to receive the official number in the same order the body was received from Briggs. If not a poor stamping then hard to say what might be going on with it. 54 apparently was a transition year and there are some mechanical things in 54 Clipper models that don't follow exactly with what would be expected based on what was used in previous and succeeding models that are in the same series.

The stamped number above the heater is the Body ID or more commonly called the theft proof number. It was used internally at Packard and very few documents remain. It is almost impossible to know what number went with a particular car. Ironically it is the only permanent number on the car and the one where few records exist. Owen_Dyneto has been compiling a database of these numbers to correlate with the official vehicle number and motor number. Am sure he will be glad to add yours to his list.

The M3xxxxx motor number is the proper one for the car. A 1954 327 5 main with solid lifters delivering 165 HP.