Packard Forum Index » Pre-War (1899-1942)

I just looked at a 1939 2 door coupe for possible purchase. The registration papers seem to match with that body style, but the plate in the engine compartment has a body number that goes with a 4 door sedan.

Is there any place on the body where there is a hidden body number? The plate is fastened by 4 screws and not rivets.

Any help from someone who knows would be appreciated.

Is there any place on the body where there is a hidden body number?

Not "officially" but on occasion you'll find it chalked inside a door or on a tag under or inside of a seat as a result of the assembly line process.

Thank you for the info. Maybe I should pass on this car.

If the Coupe is what you want and like, why pass it up because of an incorrect patent plate? These plates get removed, lost, and/or incorrect ones get affixed. Also, there are many a Packard is running around with a reproduction plate. If the car has a current and valid title and registration it should be good. What number is used on the title, the engine number? If these numbers match this will give you further assurance. It was common practice to use the engine number to register vehicles instead of serial numbers like are used today. If the car checks out all other ways, it is worth considering.

(o{}o)

I agree with JW, nearly every car one contemplates buying comes with some issues and in the big picture this isn't an overly large one; only problem is that you'll probably never be able to reconnect with vehicle's past history except by whatever documentation you might be able to get from prior owners. It is indeed sad when the original patent plates are removed and don't follow with the sale of the car; kind of like a "man without a country", it's a car without a past.

In 38 they changed from an ID plate to a decal. My 38 still has the original decal but it's almost impossible to read the numbers (if you hold a light just right you can make out about 75% of them) so just to make life and identification easier I stamped the numbers into the frame rail near the steering box. You could do the same and then get a repo plate.

Phil, good suggestion. You are fortunate to have been able to read your decal. Frank is saying the car has a patent plate that does not match the car. We don't know about the engine number and TPN, nor which numbers are used for the title.

(o{}o)

In 38 they changed from an ID plate to a decal.

Phil, you probably already know this but just in case you didn't, Packard/Canada did not switch to the decal in 1938 but continued to use a metal plate.

This discussion about patent plates is somewhat timely. We went to the Austin Autorama on Saturday. It is part of a national touring car show with a mix of local vehicles. Mainly the vehicles on display were hot rods, street rods, customs, and race cars. There were a few restored to like new condition. There was one Packard on display - A 1939 Convertible Coupe that had been converted to a street rod. Excellent appearing work. One of the features was a repo patent plate incorrectly mounted. The stamping on the plate was difficult to read, but the bottom line reads "Packard Pontiac". Here are some photos of the plate and car.

(o{}o)

Attach file:

---

  (23.11 KB)


  (31.43 KB)


  (26.34 KB)


  (23.11 KB)

a hood ornament under the hood.

really?