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

At best, the VIN plate is an attempt to replicate the original. Original stamped plates use a capital ‘I’ (Roman numeral one) for the number one. And of course the panhead screws indicate the plate had been removed. November, if that’s a real date, is very, very late to be selling a previous year when the new models were announced in August.

Again and regardless of what the engine currently in it is, the car itself is a 1939 120 but being titled as a 1938 with a 1938 data plate would be a reject here as part of the verification process if to equivocally and without doubt or error state the year.

Wow, guys, thanks for the information. Especially about the engine - I was hoping that it wasn't a super 8 after reading all the horror stories.

I've attached a couple more pictures, but I don't have any of the hood because I didn't want to disturb it. Maybe these can help clear up some more questions. I also don't know why the headlights were removed, but we did find them so I don't think there's anything missing (or at least anything major/hard to find).

As for the title, I have seen it and it is valid, using the data plate as the VIN/year. Here in KY the inspection process isn't as stringent as CA is, but there is a process to get a new title if absolutely necessary. I don't really forsee this being an issue.

Thanks again for the information! I can try to get more pics at some point later on if that'll help. My one main concern was the engine, and that has been cleared up so I do feel better about that, now.

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It looks like a solid, mostly un-molested car to me. The glass may have been replaced. It looks too good to be pre-war. Most pre-war glass is delaminated and impossible to use. Is that a Packard color? If the car has been painted, they painted the firewall, which probably finished the sticker. Does it have a trunk rack?

That interior looks excellent. And the paint doesn't look bad, but hard to tell with the dust. That car should clean up nicely and hopefully will be a good driver after going through the mechanical things.

For reference, here's what a '38 Super engine looks like. '37 and '39 are basically the same with minor differences.