Packard Forum Index » Pre-War (1899-1942)

Found this in the Chatroom. Will PM Eddie that it's now posted here.

[Eddie] I have a 1942 Packard Henney ambulance that started life on the munitions base at Hawthorne Nevada. It is rather basic with two seats in the front and a huge area for hauling. It was given to me without a title. The engine has been rebuilt and is in pristine shape. The rest of it is in tough shape. I need to know where the VIN is on this vehicle to pursue transfer of ownership. Any ideas?

there is no VIN in the modern sense. The serial number would be on the cowl plate, but if that's missing, use the engine number on the block

Thats good advise. Back in the day, the block engine number was usually used in most states anyway . . .

As said, there is no VIN in the modern sense, but the number on the patent plate isn't a serial number, its a vehicle number (VN). I know some states title with motor numbers but I believe the majority use the number the manufacturer intended to be used, and may resort to the motor number out of default when the VN is missing. By all means, try to locate your VN.

The VIN# would be found on the Packard Motor Car Company plate on the cowl and should be something like 2001A-nnnn (where 'n' is a 4 digit sequential# for the 2001A Packard line).

The Henney Company also had a plate about 2 1/4" by 2 3/4" usually found under the rug in the right front (or almost usually because it usually seems to be missing). This has the Engine#, the Serial# (being the "A" plus the 4 digit# from the Packard plate), the Henney Body# (which seems to be a sequential# for Henney, should be around 13372 for 1942) and the 4 digit Henney Model#. Should be 4291 for an ambulance.

If none of those are found I would use the the 6 digit number pressed into the firewall. The engine# is not unique to the car as it can be changed by merely swapping engines.

G'day Packard41,
to PackardInfo. I invite you to please include your '41 in the Owner Registry together with a pic, any known history and how you found it.

Packard41 for including not one but two '41 Packards in the Packard Owner's Registry.

'41 One-Eighty Super Eight Custom Great story and interesting pic.

'41 Henney Service Car Another good story, and a lot of work ahead of you!

Quote:Seems I spoke too soon, again to Packard41 for including another '41 Packard in the Packard Owner's Registry. This time a '41 Henney Landaulet Model 4198, a very rare Packard. Great story and I wish him well with it!