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I've sent a question to the eBay seller asking whether the numbers are stamped or embossed. Hopefully I'll get a response. Besides, I want to know if my eyesight is playing tricks on me!

Thanks for taking the initiative; to me, whether embossed, stamped or roll-stamped or whatever the process, they look to me to be impressed INTO the panel which was my original take on them. If not, never seen anything like it before and either has my collector of patent plates. Awaiting your feedback.....

Well, my eyesight is playing tricks on me, the eBay seller advised "The numbers are stamped into the plate".

Time to see the Optometrist! And sorry for creating a storm in a teacup.

OD,
Here is another one for your list
ebay.com/itm/Packard-Convertible-250-195 ... item=171243846375&pt=US_Cars_Trucks



Do you have any idea when they changed the stamping dies? This stamping is very crisp and clear, and some are really hard to read.

I know you wrote an article about your list in The Cormorant, but did you address what Packard did with this information? They seem to put effort to do it for some reason.

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I know you wrote an article about your list in The Cormorant, but did you address what Packard did with this information? They seem to put effort to do it for some reason.

Do you have any idea when they changed the stamping dies? This stamping is very crisp and clear, and some are really hard to read.

Several articles, actually - and with an update pending. To my knowledge they never "changed" the font or dies other than for reasons of wear, they simply wore out over time - after all they stamped over 1 million impressions. The stampings especially in the 55/56 era and far less distinct and sharp than they were prewar. Here's a photo of the font and die info. As to why they did it, they started in 1929 and it's stated very plainly in owner's manuals of the era, to allow identification of the vehicle if other numbers were altered or defaced. The data was probably recorded in several ways but the only records we have left are the Vehicle Unit Record or Vehicle Delivery Record cards of which I am fortunate to have copies of perhaps 1000. The record cards varied considerably over time, post-war ones often showing name, address, & occupation of the buyer and details on the trade-in car & allowance, and other details.

And yes, I did snag the numbers from that 51 convertible, but thanks for bringing it to my attention.

PS - adding another example of a record card, this one from Atlanta branch courtesy of the Don Taccone collection. The Syracuse/Elmira document courtesy of Ray Pautz.

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Just for those with an interest the nearly 1000 new car delivery records I have are from:

Newtown Motors, Elmira NY (Ray Pautz collection)
McCormack Bros. Motors, Birmingham, AL (Don Taccone collection)
Goss Motors, Aurora, IL (Roscoe Stelford collection)
Autolya OY, Finland (courtesy of Nordic Packard Owner's Club)

With the exception of the Finnish records which are all prewar, these are all postwar deliveries. Thus far I've only had one "hit" in supplying a current owner with the original delivery ticket for his car. Needless to say, he was thrilled!

Picture of the thief-Proof number on my '41 OneTwenty.

CG

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Here are the numbers for my 1952 200

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Thanks for the numbers.

OD,
This 55 Patrician, has that glob, above the stamped number, in the same place that I have seen on many cars. Was this the seal of approval by the body man on the line?

ebay.com/itm/Packard-Other-1955-packard- ... item=251537460015&pt=US_Cars_Trucks

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