Packard Forum Index » Post-War (1946-54)

1954 Packard Convertible Coupe
i have the first car off the production line and i am wondering what it would be worth? any ideas, it needs to be restored and has been inside for 40 years, it was running when i got it but i have removed the front end to restore it.
firewall is stamped C45I64
motor is stamped 446891 9 28 53
drivers door is stamped 5479 2001


thanks for your time

al

Any way to get some more information about the car you actually have?

Serial number and engine number with a picture or two would be helpful as well.

G'day Al,
to PackardInfo. As Kevin says, more info on the car would be good. Condition will be helpful to determining value although that area can be a minefield of differing opinions.

I invite you to include your '54 Convertible Coupe in the Packard Owner's Registry seeing you're restoring it and have joined PackardInfo.

firewall is stamped C45I64
motor is stamped 446891 9 28 53
drivers door is stamped 5479 2001
M600056 or Mb0005b is also stamped on the motor

thanks for all the great help guys

al

You going to want the motor serial number. It is stamped on the driver side of block, towards the back, right below the edge of the head and above the starter.

It should look some like Mxxxxxx.

Quote:
This is the "thief-proof" number - originally recorded by the factory, but those files are presumed to have been lost. However, member Owen_Dyneto building a database of those numbers.

Quote:
This is likely a part number and date for the casting. Though casting number references are available for engines like the small-block Chevy, I'm not aware of such for any Packard engines.

Quote:
This is the vehicle serial number, which is typically used for title, tags etc. The first part, "5479", is the body number, which is correct for a "Convertible Coupe". The second part, "2001", is a serialized number. Packard was entirely consistent with use of first number, but yours sure sounds like first one off the line. Check out BigKev's Packard Body Identification Numbers document for more info.

The "motor serial number" cited by BigKev is serialized, as well. IIRC, many years ago, some states may have also required this for titling; today, it is only use when the actual vehicle serial number is not available. At the very least, the motor serial number will tell you whether the engine is correct for the vehicle. Check out his Packard Engine Serial Number Reference document for more info

The Ultramatic transmission also has a serial number, but that is usually only needed when referencing production changes in servcie bulletins.

I don't believe it's possible for anyone to determine the value of a vehicle; there are price guides online and in print that give tiered values based on relative condition.

First or last off the line is a nice bragging right, but doesn't really impact fair market value, IMHO.