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I want to thank everyone who has contributed thief-proof numbers and corresponding vehicle numbers to me in the past. Though I wish I had a thousand more, I believe I have barely enough to support a research article for future publication in The Packard Cormorant which I'm currently writing.

That doesn't mean I'm still not interested in obtaining more data so if those of you who haven't already contributed are willing, I ask for:

Year, model
Thief-proof number (1929-1956)
Vehicle number (from the patent or serial # plate)
Briggs body number if between 1941 and 1954.

The years with the greatest need are 1930, 1931, 1935, 1936, 1938, 1940, 1942 and 1952.

Also if anyone has a 1940 made during the period when no thief-proof numbers were stamped, I'd love to have the vehicle number and model.

Send by PM or email to <dlczirr@optimum.net>.

Thanks.

PS - If Canadian built or right-hand drive, please make a note of that.

Hi Owen_Dyneto,

I think you are doing a great job with this. I will e-mail you the information I can supply by e-mail.

Please, keep us updated of your results.

Could the items Dave needs for his thief-proof, vehicle, and Briggs Body numbers be fields added to the Owner Registry? Just a thought.

Just attempting to keep this subject active a while longer in hopes of more data, especially for pre-war cars. Thanks to those of you who have recently sent numbers.

Seems I may owe you all something for the constant requests, so let me provide a bit of entertainment (trivia). Often people see the digit "1" as an "I" on their TP or vehicle number.

Packard commissioned two private custom typefaces from American Type Founders for use in it's internal house organ, advertising, and other printed matter. I'm not sure of the origin date but Packard and Packard Bold typefaces are listed in the 1923 ATF catalog as font #348 and #453 respectively. They are also listed on page 245 of McGrew's book American Metal Typefaces of the Twentieth Century.

In the Packard typeface, the numerical character "1" is shaped like the alpha character "I". So there, you have it, another minor Packard mystery uncovered. If you want to see an example of the Packard typeface, I could probably post something, let me know.

Thanks! I've often wondered about that. It's always nice to have little nagging mysteries solved.

"In the Packard typeface, the numerical character "1" is shaped like the alpha character "I". "

ok. But how is an alpha "I" represented???? Simply not used at all????

But how is an alpha "I" represented???? Simply not used at all????

It would be pretty hard to use an alphabet that had no upper case "I", wouldn't it? The upper case "I" is differentiated from number 1 by noticeably smaller serifs top and bottom.

I've heard it said that one (1) is the loneliest number that you'll ever do.

If you take a look at some old typewriters, there was no key for the number "1" back then; typists had to use the lower case "l" (el) instead.

Yet, in more modern times, automotive serial numbers specifically do not use the letters "I", "O" and "Q", so as to avoid confusion with the numbers "1" and "0".

If you take a look at some old typewriters, there was no key for the number "1" back then; typists had to use the lower case "l" (el) instead.

Are you making fun of my old Royal Standard, circa 1958? I use it nearly every day.

For the truly curious, here's a sample of Packard font:

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You need to update to the Royal Safari that's the electric portable. It's a great machine. I know I helped design it for Litton Industries years ago.

These new fangeled computers seem to take all of the character out of typing.