Thanks a lot for your comments. This car has the PNHLR without the dot. Maybe this is due to the engine change which has been made. This car has the 1953 L6.. engine and not the original M6... Maybe the person that did the engine swap also switched to the Ultramatic which belongs to the engine. If he was a thorough man he also replaced the indicator on the column. Do you believe this makes sense? Would there have been a technical reason why also change the gearbox when changing engine?
In terms of functionality and reliability, do you see any difference between the original and the gear change unit?

Something is not correct. Howard says the car would be the 3711th Patrician for year -54. When I check in the model info it states that only 2760 pcs 5452 models where made. Would it be that the year 54 is staring with 2001 insted of 1001? Am I reading this wrong or is there a contradiction?

Another thing I wonder, is it possible to see the original paint and trim scheme for this model? On the "patent plates" on earlier model this was mentioned.

Could someone help me with how read the serial number. The car I am looking at has a serial 5452-4712. The first 4 digits are clear, but what does the next 4 tell me?

mgf