Is it a regular 1954 convertible or a 1954 Caribbean? Either way it is certainly worth restoring. Your name sounds familiar.

10,000 comedians out of work and you're trying to be funny. Yes of course it's worth restoring. People would kill for a convertible. I'll give you $100.00 for it.

I think it depends on the DMV, the day of the week, and maybe how well he/she is getting along with his/her spouse that day. Kind of like the police department.

Seriously, I think all they want is that you have two readable plates that are DMV clear. They make a black and white photo copy of each plate and send that along with the application to the DMV in Sacramento. I don't think they would have an issue with restored plates as long as the color is not obviously wrong. The yellow would have to be blue or something before they would reject them.

BTW, The plates I am registering to my 51 Packard are the original ones issued to the car in 1951. They were in the trunk. Too bad the yellow 1956 plates with the black letters weren't there too with the 51 plates. Also have the receipt from AAA where they registered the car in September 1951 showing the VIN and the license plate number. AAA probably handed them the plates right there on the spot.

The valve covers are silver, I think that the flash makes make them look like primer. I think that I'll probably get the lettering done over the winter as its taken so long to get to this point that I would really rather take her out and have some fun for a while.

MY GODFATHER GAVE ME A 1954 PACKARD CONVERTIBLE THAT HAS BEEN DISASSEMBLED BUT EVERYTHING IS THERE. MY QUESTION IS IS IT WORTH DOING AND HOW RARE IS THIS CAR. I SEE THERE WAS ONLY 863 PRODUCED IN 1954.

I don't know the 52 architecture that well. But if there is a location that gets air flow other than in front of the radiator, I'd probably take guidance from the new car designs and locate it there. I hope there is such a place. good luck.

In 40 the 120 used the 282ci engine. It was 5 main bearing. Basically the same engine introduced in 35 and later the 288ci. The Supers all used the new 356ci engine. It remained virtually the same through 50.
The serial numbers for the 282 were C3xxxxx while the 356 was C5xxxxxx.

With some luck I should be able to check the numbers on the 356 I have tomorrow.I'll let you know as soon as I can.

Dave:

Could you check the numbers on the engine you believe is for a '48 and get back with me? I haven't heard back yet from Al on whether his numbers show his '40 is for a 120 or a 160/180. I'm more than a little confused now, did the 1940 120 have a 356 9 main bearing engine? The packard club website says the engine serials were way different between the 120 and 160/180, which would seem to imply different engine. Thanks guys for the help on this.

Kev

Now I believe you. You actually were in Detroit!
I grew up in East St. Louis. They hardly have buildings where my neighborhood was 50+ years ago.

It has got to be heartbreaking to see the change of what was such a prestigious address and place.
Maybe we still preserve some of the Packard Glory in our separate garages and projects all over the country/world.

Nobody could pose that background elsewhere. Good Shot, Kev.

DanL

I am not at ALL worried about originality! (Future postings will make that clearer :) ). I intend to keep the spirit of the Packard, but want to improve reliability where it is practical to do so.

I'd really like a LOT more cooling capacity,as (a) I live in Texas where the daily highs most days recently have been 100, and (b) I intend to add air conditioning, which will put a condenser in front of the radiator to further impede its effectiveness.

Randy also suggested strongly we think about how we could easily find or fabricate a shroud.

I DO know a really good parts man. I will call him.

Jim G