I see you are from the Dallas area. You can go to the regional service center at:

1925 E Beltline Rd
Suite 100
Carrollton, TX

They can do a history search on your car if it was registered in Texas. It is an easy process, and they do it while you wait. It costs 5 or 6 dollars. You have to have the old license plate number or the VIN number. Oh, and the car has to have been registered in Texas. I think you have to be there in person.

I just did one on my car, a 1953 Packard Clipper. The old plate was from 1996. They went back to 1989 when it came from NJ.

Wow!! Very interesting. Wish I had one like it.

Thank all of you for your replies. I much appreciate the information and opinions. I probably will make slow progress in trying to restore due to my inexperience. Also, it has been very hot here in Texas. We are on a run of 25 consecutive days above 100 degrees with no change in sight. I can't take the heat as well as I once could.

I will put the car in the Packard registry and update my progress from time to time.


Thanks again to all,

Chester

I just bought a 1953 clipper. It is in fair condition. No bad rust. I got the engine to run with a gravity feed hose to the carburetor. It's been run three times for about 20 minutes each. I have the emergecy brake working. I plan on fixing it to be a driver. I will post pictures as soon as I find my camera. This is my first Packard and my first attempted resore.

I have some questions:

In what order should I proceed?

What is the expected time before it needs an overhaul(assuming it's OK now)?

How much maintenance is required to keep it going?

My ideas are:

get the fuel system working
get the brakes workng
wheel bearings
new carpet, seat covers

I am open for ideas. Please let me know.

Thanks,

Chester