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

by 1938 Club Coupe on 2009/2/13 8:37:44

38 was the only year for the decal vin tag,hope its not missing ?Its a 38 dash for sure,if it has a trip odometer then it more than likely a 120.You could measure the wheel base to be positive.The banjo wheel was an option.

Assuming the VIN decal went on the firewall plate, it is missing. I was wondering about that, the space on the plate is smooth; as though it was never imprinted. The 8 engine fits in comfortably, as I recall the 110 was about 6" shorter in the engine compartment. So, I assume a 120.

110 (or properly the Six in 1938) has 122 inch wheelbase, the 120 (properly the Eight in 1938) has (except for the lwb limo) 127, so if in doubt get out your tape measure.

Yep that's a 38 dash. Now I have a question- there are 4 knobs or the holes for 4 knobs where the radio goes. I have a volume knob and a tuning knob,what are the other (outside) knobs for? Right now I have my turn signal lights in there.

Perhaps you don't realize that it's here, but why not just go to the picture of the dashboard in the 38 owner's manual (on this site). The various functions and positions are identified there. See page 14.

I have already checked the 38 owners manual on this site. The manual is for a 6 and the picture is of a radio delete dash

G'day Faust,
to PackardInfo. Please don't forget to include your '38, and any other Packards you have, in the Owner Registry together with a pic, any known history and how you acquired it/them.

Don't the Six and the Eight have the same dashboard? I thought so. Sorry, I missed noting that the dash pictured didn't have a radio.

I've not gone back to look a the pictures again, but likely difference is Standard vs. Deluxe radio. Check the accessories brochure...

"Yep that's a 38 dash. Now I have a question- there are 4 knobs or the holes for 4 knobs where the radio goes. I have a volume knob and a tuning knob,what are the other (outside) knobs for? Right now I have my turn signal lights in there."

Can't recall what the "knob" to the right of the radio is, the one to the left is a bulb. It is unshielded and seems to be red. The guess about directionals is a good one. There are absolutely no lights on the car, but there is a hint on the steering column. Just below the wheel the column is wrapped with friction tape (remember friction tape and dark closets?) This suggests that at one time a directional switch was mounted on the column.

I have decided the car is a 120CD, or the 1938 equivalent. It has "all the options", radio, clock, dual tone horns, banjo wheel, etc. Too bad it is "just parts".

G'day Faust,
Welcome to PackardInfo. Please don't forget to include your '38, and any other Packards you have, in the Owner Registry together with a pic, any known history and how you acquired it/them.

G'day
I am more of a fan of Buicks of that era and don't have any other Packards.

On the other hand, I have a framed copy of an old Packard ad which reads "I'm keeping a promise I made to this boy". When I was a kid in the 60's, an old lady still drove around town in a 1937 120 Club Sedan, green with sidemounts. Should I come across one of those, it may be another story.

An interesting line in that ad is "can be bought with little or no cash".

If anyone is interested in middle 50's Packards, I can point you to a junkyard with 4-5 of those, no Carribeans, a few two doors. I haven't been there is a few months and the junkyard is under pressure by the town to close, they may have gone to the crusher.

PS, I just sent 1200lb of Fiat parts to Australia. It went ocean freight. You might be interested to know that because of dockside costs in Australia, it might have been somewhat cheaper to have paid for delivery to his home in Melbourne. This is not without cost, but it appears it would have been less.