Well, you can't mess with the theft-proof number so... maybe.

The gold cars were painted gold initially and not re-painted. The code was 'R' for special request. Unless your car was a factory renumbered '49 model, the -5- indicates it was built as a 1950 model and couldn't be a gold drive-away Packard. The serial number on the factory renumbered 1949 models would have been much higher than yours. So... to answer your question... it's very unlikely.

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I have a matched set (see above). FWIW, the only difference between the glove box version and the gas tank version is that the gas tank version doesn't show WSW (white side wall tires). I must admit that since the gas tank version was supposedly for the chassis build, I would have thought that that the tire type would have been important...

It's a mystery. I think the answer is lost to time. The 'gas tank slip' from my 1949 22nd Series Custom Touring Sedan shows 9735. The slip from my 1949 23rd Series Custom (renumbered later as a 1950) isn't legible but looks like it might be 67 something something.

The excellent book Packard 1948 to 1950 by Robert J. Neal refers to the meaning of this number as being 'currently unknown' (page 34).

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Yes, it's a nut and stud arrangement. You mentioned 'resistance' in connection with the sender. Are you are aware that the 22nd and 23rd Series Packards didn't use a standard resistance based sender/gauge? They use a bi-metal heater based on/off system. Hopefully you installed a compatible sender.

I live north of the river.

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That sounds a lot like a loose connection.

Just a couple of observations... I thought that the paint and trim codes for the 23rd series were stamped in ink at the factory which is why they often don't survive. It appears that the date of sale may have been stamped/embossed in the trim code space so maybe the dealer didn't get the memo. The condition of the paint on the cowl would indicate to me a re-paint has been done.

Interesting thought. The opening does direct air to the lower portion of the radiator helped along by the splash pan. But for whatever benefit it provided, it was done away with on all models before the 22nd series had ended.

The inserts in the bumper applied only to the Custom and complimented the egg crate motif.

Here they are on my 22nd series Custom.

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The painted center was applicable only to the junior 22nd series Packards and was discontinued as a running change even before they changed to a solid bumper.

The 22nd series open bumper was not one-piece, and the connecting brackets are not the same as the solid bumper.