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I could really use some help with this next step. I have already purchased a Year Of Manufacture (YOM) tag to send off for certification by the folks at the Florida DMV. It's a really nice 1953 plate that will have to be approved as being in a condition that meets the requirements of the state for registry to and display on the car. The problem that I may run into is that the title states that the car is a 1952. It is my understanding that back in the day, cars were titled in accordance with the year that they were built in and not the model year of manufacture. From the information that I've obtained so far, the 1953 Packards made their debut on November 28th, 1952 so I assume that any Packard built from 11/28/52 through 12/31/52 would be titled as a 1952. That's not good when you're trying to match the correct YOM plate to a car that in reality is wrongly titled. I'm just wondering if anyone else has run into this problem and how they handled it. Is there any way to find out the actual date of manufacture including the month? I couldn't find the answer in the FAQ's section or by performing a search. The only thing I know to do is to try to prove it by providing them with a document that attaches the model/series number to the 1953 model cars.

There is this out of the intro section (page III) of 51-4 parts manual. You could match your engine and body numbers by year. I don't believe there is any way to match by month but the engine serial number reference gives the range of engine numbers used during the model production. You might be able to narrow it down a bit by finding where yours falls in the total. The November 1952 issue of service counselor also lists the new 26th series (1953) specifications and some data.

There are also some books referencing the somewhat limited remaining available data on Packard production by year that might be of help.

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Wouldn't be the first time that some bureaucrat made a mistake.

Not sure when the practice began, but manufacturers, including Packard, sent annual letters to the states regarding specifics for registration. I don't seem to recall any of those letters on file, here, but I have photocopy of one for '55 models; the earliest I've seen was for '48s. You might need to check with a Packard literature specialist.

After confirming that your serial or motor number is for a 1953, go forth with parts book in hand to get the title corrected. Else, I doubt if they let you use a 53 YOM plate with a title for a 52.

Good idea HH...I printed page III from the source you provided and will take it with me to the local DMV in hopes that they will "see the light". I certainly don't disagree with you BH and chances are they'll laugh in my face but I feel like with enough evidence to send over to Tallahassee, they will at least have to consider the possibility...heck fire, the VIN number verification sheet that I have to provide doesn't even require a title before 1955 and only requires the engine serial number...go figure.

Many states registered the cars via engine number back then. California is one. Makes it really interesting for a new owner when an engine was replaced somewhere along the line and no paperwork exists to document it.

Also with Packard before 51, the other ID number that could possibly have been used was not permanent. After 51, at least they riveted the body number plate--although it seems several posters have found theirs had been removed.

With engine and body data plate removable, the only permanent number on the car is the embossed one on firewall. Packard did not use that number for much of anything it appears. Other than Owen_Dyneto's database, no known records exist but many DMVs will use it if registering today because it is permanent. Speaking of O_D's database, am sure he would appreciate your body number and firewall number to add to it.

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That's correct HH and so did Florida on pre 1955 vehicles. Well I haven't made much progress in my effort to get the YOM corrected on the title but didn't expect to accomplish it in record time. After writing a two page letter explaining how the Packard vehicle ID system worked and what the numbers represented, I called the Florida DMV to find out where to send it and they tell me that I have to take it up with the South Carolina DMV first and then submit the corrected title to them for re-issue as a Florida title. So I sat down last night and wrote an email to the South Carolina DMV (Unlike Florida, at least they have email) and included the same explanation of the difference between 1952 and 1953 Packards and offered to send whatever documentation they required in order to resolve the issue. I also provided them with the South Carolina title number and this photo. Now its hurry up an wait.

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There is no hard and fast rule on this. If the 1953 Packards debuted on Nov 28 1952, chances are the factory was turning out 53 models in September or early November, in order to have them in showrooms on introduction day.

In the fifties and sixties it was common to change over the assembly line in August and introduce new models to the public in early September.

On the other hand Chrysler usually brought out new models in January, in the forties and fifties. The 1949 models were so late, they continued to sell the old model as "early 49s". Some 49 model Chrysler products did not reach the public until April of 1949.

Chev did the same thing with pickup trucks in 1955, having "early 55" and "late 55" models, which are completely different trucks.

It was also common to title leftover cars as next year's models. Many unsold 1950 Kaiser and Frazer cars had their ID plates altered and sold as 51s.

The DMV had something to say about it too. They often went by the date of first registration. A car first registered in 1953 was a 53 car to them, whether it was made in 1953, 1952 or even 1951.

I have a 1968 Triumph that was registered as a 1969. It happened to be a slow selling model when new.

So, good luck with your efforts. You may decide it does not matter what is on your title as long as you know what your car really is.

Well there may be hope afterall!!!...I prepared and mailed in a "Title History Request" form Friday afternoon to the South Carolina DMV in hopes that the car has always resided in that state and will await the results. Meanwhile, back at the farm, I just happened to get in touch with the right person at my own Bradford County FL. DMV and she provided me with the name and phone number of one of the DMV Field Representatives. I didn't even know thay had folks in these positions but evidently, they research VIN numbers when there's a problem with them that's more complicated than what they can handle in the local office. So I contacted "David" and gave him the history explaining that the car was not a '52 but a '53 and that I had documents to support the fact. He immediately asked me what the Motor Number was and I said L302309. He writes it down and hands it to his Super who runs a search on the National DMV Database while I'm waiting. The Super tells David that it's a '53 Packard Clipper and to write a letter to the South Carolina DMV on my behalf telling them that they cannot transfer the title to a Florida title until they correct the S.C. title. I had just told my wife that I didn't care if I had to write a letter to a South Carolina State Rep, that title was wrong and I was going to get it changed one way or another. From what I understand, using the Motor Number as the VIN was the nationwide common practice for all cars built prior to 1955. If a motor was changed out, you were supposed to fill out and submit a form stating what the new motor number was but I doubt that they had very good participation in that program...stealing cars wasn't the problem that it is today so they didn't have as much cause to keep accurate records.