Hi Michael, Thanks for the information on your Six. Your noted that the Briggs body number was 752309. That, I feel sure, must be the firewall number. The Briggs Body number will be very close to the vin number, which was 2282-2016. In this particular case I would expect it to be the same since it is very early in production (the 16th car built). You might check on it.

Regards and good luck with the restoration.

Robert

Here I am again. I have not heard from anyone recently so I thought I would drop in and stir up some interest.

Everyone seems to be somewhat fascinated by the 1948-1950 Station Sedans. Interesting cars I will admit. So I did some digging in the remainder of the Packard archives, which seem to be scattered about.

I now know exactly how many were built and that, as everyone has guessed by now, all were built as 22nd Series cars.

I know how many were built as 1948 22nd Series and how many were built as 1949 22nd Series. Leftover 1948s were renumbered as 1949 22nd Series. Exactly how many that was we will never know for sure but reports of the data below will help narrow that down.

I now know positively that leftover 22nd Series Station Sedans were renumbered as 23rd Series cars and exactly how many that was.

I know that leftover 1949 23rd Series Station Sedans were renumbered as 1950 23rd Series (as was done with all other 1949 to 1950 23rd Series cars) and at what serial these started.

What I don't know is just what, if anything, they did to update these cars to 23rd Series beyond changing their data plates.

What will answer that question is reports for existing cars, 23rd Series in particular, buy any will be helpful. I need:
1- serial from the vin tag on the cowl
2- numbers on the Briggs plate on the firewall
3- firewall number
4- data from the build sheet taped to the top of the glove box if it survives
5- early or late type front bumper?
6- early or late type dash features?
7- round or square brake and clutch pedals?
8- 22nd or 23rd type windshield wiper control knob?
9- engine number and, of course, is it original or not?

OK you guys, lets see the reports come piling in.
You can certainly leave comments on this thread but please send the data directly to me at rjneal0000@aol.com as I do not commonly make rounds of all the various web sites. My days have not gotten long enough yet.

Robert

Thanks all for the recent data on taxis and LWB cars. It is particularly welcome on these rare cars. I don't necessarily get back to this form every day so please forgive any tardy response. Any one who wishes, or who needs to be sure I respond rapidly can send me emails directly as my address is in my posts.

Yes, my response was to Michael from the UK who posted information regarding the RHD car he has.

Robert

Hi Michael,
Yes, the RHD cars do interest me. I would very much appreciate your giving me the vin number found on the cowl plate as well as the firewall number and the Briggs body number found on the little plate under it. The engine number would also be helpful.

Also do you have a good picture of the firewall from the engine side showing where the stearing gear comes through and also one showing the passenger side. Obviously these are two of the main differences between the RHD cars and the ones we always see in the States. There is also a question of how they did the heater on the RHD cars. Does your car have one?

Regards,
Robert

Thanks John,

I will get used to this site some day. I look forward to seeing your email. In checking back to the thread that led me to ask for information on the renumbering data I see that you answered me way back there, saying you had no specifics. I just never managed to see the answer before. Anyway, I still look forward to conversing with you.

You can just click on the email address I put in the post and it will address the email for you.

Robert

A note again to John Shireman. I would really like to see a copy of any material related to renumbering, or a reference as to where you saw it.

QUESTION OF THE MONTH: I am seeking to acquire a copy of pictures of all variations of the Macauley Phantom. There are some early versions of this car that i saw pictures of years ago that do not seem to want to surface now. One of you guys must have have them stashed away. The Macauley Phantom tells a significant story in the development of the 1948-1950 cars.

HELP

Robert neal
RJNEAL0000@aol.com

John Shireman - John, do you have copies of the actual communication Packard used to have dealers return data plates of unsold cars for renumbering. It is accepted that it was done but no one seems to have copies of the actual request. Wauld love to have it for the book.
Robert Neal

Thanks, I bet that is what happened. I followed the above post with another long one and - you guessed it - it dissapeared after some 30 minutes work. I said several very bad words following that.

John,
Do you know specifically what dealer letter or what kind of communication Packard used to tell dealers to pull the plates from unsold 1948 22nd Series cars and return them for re-numbering. It is certainly accepted as a fact that it happened but I have so far not been able to see a copy of a physical document so stating. As you know, I am writing a book on the 1948-50 cars and boy would I like to see a copy of the document issued by Packard with this request.

Robert Neal

Hello all,
I posted a rather long comment on the latest status of my book project yesterday 5,8,09 and when I came back today to see if there were any comments my yesterday's entry was nowhere to be found. Is there a secrete to getting posts to work/

I try again. Thanks to all for their expressions of sympathy for my loss. I have recovered well from bypass and back surgery and plan to be at the PAC national meet in Branson in June.

I just purchased a 1950 Custom 8 sedan to keep the 1954 Cavalier company. Besides, even though I have owned several 22nd-23rd Series cars in the past I currently did not have one and if you are going to write a book on them I guess you should own one.

Before I put more time into this note I am going to post this and see if it also goes down the tube. Then I will return and add more information.