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This tag is on a 49 Super 8 Victoria I am buying. It is a Burgundy car with a tan leatherette and ivory material interior. The car is an original with one repaint.

I was told by one expert that it doesnt make sense because the 2279 is correct, but the 1036 doesn't seem right. And the paint code should be a letter only.

The small tag reads G425628CE.

Any Insight?

Thanks,
Dennis

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Welcome Dennis. Seems to me your Vehicle Plate is stating the following:

2279: 1948-9 Super 8 Victoria, the 1,036 car made. I believe this figure is appropriate as there were more than 1,036 of this model manufactured).
2440: that is a Paint Code for BF2440, which is also Code P - Grenadier Maroon Metallic
214-215: Trim Codes and they're 'Tan Imitation Leather' with 'Ivory Imitation Leather'.

So provided the Plate is original, those are the colours the car would have left the factory with.

48-9 models are not really my area of expertise, and others may clarify, or have information to add.I referred to details about the 2279 on this site. Have a look at 2279 Super 8 Victoria

There is a great reference library here and you'll be able to look up virtually any information you require on it once you have found your way around.

I can't comment about the other number quoted, but seems the car is still decked out with its original paint and trim, so appears original in that regard.

That's a curious tag and I suspect it's not original but is a reproduction tag that some prior owner had data engraved on. I say this because the type font used is not the one Packard used for stamping information on the tags.

That's a curious tag and I suspect it's not original but is a reproduction tag that some prior owner had data engraved on. I say this because the type font used is not the one Packard used for stamping information on the tags.

Plus the fact that the color and trim codes were not usually engraved- at least on mine and others I've seen. They were worn off, I had to get that info from the build sheet.

Which is another idea- you should try to find the build sheet to clarify what your vehicle was originally. They may have picked a color/trim scheme and had the tag made to match. I found my build sheet between the fill and vent tube on the gas tank.

Owen, didn't the production numbers start with 2001?

And to go along with a reproduction tag idea, the "small tag" would seem to be the motor number which was not on a tag but rather stamped on the drivers side of engine block.

The number would be correct for a 1948 Super Eight 327, 5 main bearing solid lifter engine. The CE indicates the engine is equipped with second design pistons & rings and a large capacity oil pan

Yes Joey, you're right about the sequence number beginning at 2001 - I missed that detail when looking at the photo - good pickup! Perhaps it was #2036? If so, having the thief-proof number might at least tell us how early in the production sequence this car was produced.

So quite clearly, the original patent plate has been replaced and information, some obviously incorrect, has been entered on a new blank plate. I can understand that occasionally these plates become lost in the course of a restoration or paint job, but when they are just replaced because a new one will look nicer, it's a shame because it throws out the window any hope of establishing the car's history.

Quote:
There were two build sheets. The other one was taped to the top of the glove box.




Upper is the build sheet from the gas fill tube, lower is from the top of the glove box. Hopefully one or the other is still there. If either exists, handle with extreme care as they tend to be very brittle.

The one at the gas tank filler is the telexed chassis build slip, the one above the glove box is the body build slip. Information may vary a bit, I don't recall just how they may differ in information included or not included. This is discussed a bit in the recent Robert Neal book on the 48-50 Packards.

G'day Lakecreature aka Dennis,
to PackardInfo. I also invite you to include the '49 Super 8 Victoria you are buying in the Packard Owner's Registry here on PackardInfo.

Thanks for all of the helpful info everyone. I kind of got a similar set of answers from Stuart of Kanter Automotive. ALthough the car looked like a major bargain, and beautiful, and in great condition, I have decided not to buy it. The seller is very upset with me as I gave him a deposit, but was scrambling to do the research necessary to feel comfortable with this investment. I always dream of owning an early Packard Conv. The car is over 2000 miles away and that was scary enough. Then I realized it does not have a correct data plate. I know they reproduce them and re-stamp them with the correct characters, but the small body tag must have been replaced at one time as it has the engine number on it. The car is titled under the engine number, not the vin...so how would I ever find out what the vin on the car is? Meaning I could never title it correctly, and if I ever restored it to perfection, I night never be able to sell it to a real Packard enthusiast. I'm sure the theft-proof number is there, but could I decipher the original vin number from that? So, I kind of backed of the car for now. I never owned a Packard, and know little about them, and I am a stickler for originality and history. Plus the investment aspect is very important to me.
Thanks again,
Dennis