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

I believe until 48 the instrument numerals and lettering was just ordinary paint and was illuminated by the reflected light of the bulbs. With only one or maybe two bulbs the prewar lighting was not as bright as some of the later models with multiple bulbs illuminating the space.

In the 48-50 models they went to a different illumination Packard called Flite-Glo. Those used a white looking but luminescent paint on the needles and instrument markings that glowed green at night when activated by UV light. The UV was provided by filters over the dash lamps. At night the dash shows as a very dim purple with only the numerals and needles glowing in bright green. The paint on those does tend to wear out or flake off and illumination can become splotchy. In some cases if the missing paint is severe the instruments can't be seen at night. Some have resorted to removing the UV filters with the instruments becoming more like the 51 and later models which went back to ordinary illumination. There might have been some kind of clear coating over the ordinary paint on yours which is what is cracking.

The prewar Clipper and some of the 40-42 conventional bodies had a speedometer needle that was separately illuminated with its own bulb. Via some plastic filters moving in front of the bulb the needle changed color as the speed increased. Postwar, that feature was eliminated.