Packard Forum Index » Post-War (1946-54)

Hi Everybody, how do I determine the production date on my '51 200 deluxe sedan ?

Unless you are lucky enough to find the original build slip (typically attached to the top of the glove box) there is no way of knowing with any precision. You could make a rough guess based on the body serial (theft-proof) number. Estimates based on the vehicle number would be less precise as we know very little about how production of the various models was sequenced and batched thru the production year. The range of theft-proof numbers as established from surviving cars and known to me begins with A00050 and runs to about B02XXX (there is some overlap with the beginning of the 1952 model year). It's quite possible that the 24th Series began with A00001.

G'day collectnstuff,
to PackardInfo and I invite you to include your '51 200 Deluxe Sedan in the Packard Owner's Registry.

Thanks for the update. Am I to presume that the VIN # would not help ?
Stephen

Am I to presume that the VIN # would not help ?

It could be of some help, better than nothing especially if it's a very early or very late VN or if it's for a high production volume model that was pretty much in continuous production throughout the model year. But as I said, the theft-proof number is often more useful. Also if it's original to the car, the motor number might prove useful. You really want to look at everything in context, motor number, vehicle number, theft-proof number, engine casting date, even things like a date that might be stamped on the back of the clock.

(topic moved to Post-War forum)

Look on the bottom of the heater box for a yellow ink stamp. While it won't tell you exactly when your car was built, it will at least tell you that your car was built AFTER that date. My heater box was stamped Aug 15th, 1954. So, very late production.

Obviously, there is a chance your heater box was replaced or installed later if not originally equipped with a heater.

Gee Kev, if had just waited a few more months you could have had a 1955......