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hello im Joel from long island N.Y. i have a 1938 Packard 4dr with a super 8 im not ready to work on it yet i have it sitting for a while as im currently rebuilding my 47 Plymouth
my car doesn't have any serious rot just a few spots that needs patches ,some new trim,the luggage rack, new interior, and one rear vent window assemble the rusted away. i did get the car running after being in storage for so long she sound beefy i will be here reading from time to time and can not wait to start work on it
does anyone know what modern car rims fit my Packard so that i can remove my orig rims and work on them i would like to blast/paint them and get new inner tubes i already purchased new 16" tires

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Quote:G'day Joel,
to PackardInfo and could you please include your '38 Super 8 in the Packard Owner's Registry here, together with a pic, any known history and how you acquired it?

i would like help to figure what model it is and the specs it came with from factory
my vin is I2722253 then i will add it to the registry with all current info i think its a 1114 Super Eight Touring Sedan but looking at the picture on this site my rear roof line is has a greater slope the rear side window looks smaller and my rear door top hinge is lower ? if need be i will take allot of photos of my 38 if we have to dig deeper and i dont know if my front fenders have been changed as they do not have wheels mounted to them :(

Have you looked thru the 1939 pictures and model info. Others here are much more knowledgeable in this area, but 1272 indicates a 1939 Super 8 Touring Sedan. If it is a 1939, the data book and owners manual as well as service manual are on site & should answer most of your questions.

registration says 1938 the tag on the cowl says manufacture date of x-mas 1938 so maybe i got an early 39 tagged as and last minute 38 ? sound plausible
the game is afoot

Some states titled by the year it was delivered regardless of the model year. If it was built Dec 1938, then it should be a 1939 model.

Hi Joel,

You have a 1939 Super 8 Model 1703 Body number 1272. Take your time and learn as much as you can about the car. It is a mix of very available 1940 senior pieces, some junior pieces, and many 39 Super 8 only pieces.

I have learned a bit about this particular model, by default, through owning, maintaining, and operating the exact same model.

Once completely sorted out, they are not a bad car. We enjoy ours.

Jim

P.S. take a look here:packardinfo.com/xoops/html/modules/modelinfo/viewmodel.php?model=942

wow that's great info i don't know if i should call it a 38 or 39 :) i can not wait to start the work on this car once i finish my custom i am building
with the total production being just under 4000 would that make the car more rare then normal or is 4000 an average number of cars produced back then
also what modern car rims fit the bolt pattern so that i can media blast my rims, change the inner tubes and put the new rubber i have i search but couldn't find a refrence

Joel for including your '39 Super Eight Touring Sedan in the Packard Owner's Registry.

Hi Joel,

As for your question: "with the total production being just under 4000 would that make the car more rare then normal or is 4000 an average number of cars produced back then"

Yes, that is a relatively low production number compared to most any mass produced automobile. Not terribly low as compared to V-12 and special construction Packard's. The 39 Super 8 is a very unique situation. It was effectively the last hand built Super 8. From what I have learned the 39 Super 8 was being built while the 1940 assembly line was being created to facilitate mass production of all models including senior models.

Rarity certainly does not equal popularity. The 1939 Super 8 is not always met with the same enthusiasm as the 40. Regardless of individual testimony as to the merits or demerits of this model, it is a recognized full classic by the Classic Car Club of America probably due to the hand built nature of factory assembly.

"i can not wait to start the work on this car..."

Again, I cannot stress researching and learning as much about the car, options, trim, and especially engine as possible. The engine in particular is a very sophisticated piece, both ahead of it's time, fragile, expensive, and baffling all in one. Through personal necessity, I am intimately familiar with the strengths and weaknesses of this year model piece. As you learn more and have questions, please ask. There are some very sharp people on this forum that can give you personal opinion. You can take those opinions and form your own.

"also what modern car rims fit the bolt pattern"

None. There is a locating thong that sticks out of each drum / hub assembly. Short of drilling each modern wheel to allow the thong to stick through they will not fit. Jack stands should tide you over.

Use the literature available to you on this site. All the important literature including the sales lit, data book, parts book, and the holy grail of all 39 lit., the Data book. This will give you a real leg up understanding what is correct, where it goes, and how it works.

Best of luck,
Jim