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Hi everyone, new to forum, I have a 39 six club coupe, with a VIN on the title starting with E1285, the 1285 would be correct, unfortunately the data plate has 1282-, apparently it must have been replaced, hopefully just for looks instead of no plate at all. The plan is to change title from FL to PA, and expect trouble, is there a way to verify that the title info is correct for this car and I could reproduce a data plate with the correct Vehicle number.

You might want to check the motor number on the front left (driver) side of the engine. If the engine was replaced sometime in the past to a later model engine it might be an "E" engine (1939 engines start with B). In Texas, Montana and other states it wasn't uncommon to title the car by engine number rather than what would be a VIN in modern speak. Replica plates are available, but even when the numbers are very carefully stamped, officialdom tends to raise their eyebrows on what is obviously a new plate.

see this for more info on the different numbers under the hood. This is for a 48; the 39 VIN plate is under the left hand part of the hood, on the side of the body under the hood.

packardinfo.com/xoops/html/downloads/SC/SC-VOL20NO4.pdf

The 1942 engines started with an "E" so maybe it is possible that someone replaced the engine in the past. Also, check with the PA DOT or Highway Patrol and see if they will let you title the car with the motor number rather than the incorrect Manufacturer Plate.

G'day Danek1,
to PackardInfo.

Putting aside the data plate confusion and, as you do own a Packard, I invite you to include your '39 Six Club Coupe in the Packard Owner's Registry!

Thanks everyone, the engine number is B25001A, so it looks to me that the title has the VN that was on the original data plate, but that was changed, thought if I could find some history from what info I do have, I may be able to confirm. As for the replacement plate, I would imagine that it is done on restorations from time to time and may not raise suspicions, but, just trying to do what is best.

Reproduction blank data plates are available from Pulfer & Williams and come up, from time to time, on eBay.

for including your '39 Six Club Coupe in the Packard Owner's Registry.

Bill Clark may have a repro patent plate for your car. To contact him go to the Texas Packard Meet website (texaspackardmeet.com) and there you will see his plates and other items in the For Sale section. He does a first-class job and has reasonable prices.

(o{}o)

If the title is already in your name from Florida, all you need is to go to a notary and have it transferred to a PA title.