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

OK, so downloading the data plate images...I only see model/body stampings and those for the date.

We know by counting spark plugs that it is an eight...presumably a 120 but that is unsubstantiated so far

We know that 120's and Super8's could be ordered with sidemounts...not likely a 6 cylinder car to begin with based on those two facts alone

I'm a little bothered by the very tall Roman numeral 11 (november dealer month)...different font than the rest of the day/year...either suspicious or an overstrike of a smaller font error or faint trace...lets see a picture of the title to see if it matches?

It is possible that someone got "11" happy and mis-struck the "1182" as well as the "11 (november)" numerals...it should be either and 1192 or an 1172 to be designated as an eight cylinder.

It is possible, even likely, that a late 1938 (overlapping with the delivery of 1939's by the month of november) could have received a column shifter...especially if either it was the only subassembly available at that late date (it fits the old 1938 geometry so its not a stretch to just "get it out the door" OR, the owner said "hey I like the new 1938 column shift, but you're giving me X% off on a clearance 38 model to flush out the factory inventory so make my 1938 a column shift since...yadayadayada"...I dont think the column shift religiously defines it as a 1939 especially during the model year overlap period.

We need to see the hood side photo (on top of the roof), hubcaps.

We need photos of the dash and interior to establish it further.

Get more photos is the takeaway...document this; have you inspected/photographed the title and any documentation with the vehicle? Look in the glove compartments, under seats, etc, etc, etc.

BTW, that is indeed a 120 engine, not a super Eight. Thank your lucky stars.

Quote:

Why

Quote:

Not likely at all. It is a 1939 plain and simple and it’s not the first time that questions about this very car have come up. In any event, all cars’ model year starts around September of the prior calendar year and everything about this one, other than the door handles, is 1939 and Packard did not “phase-in” changes in this degree. 1940 had a couple minor changes over the model year (bumpers, wheel covers, trunk emblem) and so did some 22nd series cars but, as far as I know, not 1939.

As for the handles, they were likely replaced at some point and no one noticed the difference because at a glance they are very similar. Unfortunately Packard never stamped the VIN on the chassis or anywhere else so, unless the build sheet is found hidden away somewhere in the car, you’ll be sore pressed to register it in some places. Certainly not in California if the VIN verifier does their due diligence.

Quote:

Because everything about a 1938 Super 8 engine is terrible. The '38 Super's are known for cracked blocks. Something with the metallurgy. They are a one-year-only engine, with many other parts (like the water pump) being a one year only item. Repairing the block is probably a waste of time, and '37 or '39 Super engines are also super rare. Add to that the Super engines are not easy to work on. The block and the crankcase are two separate pieces, so there are way more bolts to remove and replace. Also the rods are too big to fit through the block, so getting the pistons back into the block and mating it the crankcase is dumb. So much easier to have a "normal" straight 8 from those years.

We've been through 3 tries on 2 different '38 blocks and all ended in failure. Now on a '39 block mated to a '38 crank and seems to be working.