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

Hello All, I have bought a patent decal from Andy Wolf for my 1938 120, but having never seen a intact one, i have no idea what numbers are imprinted on it. I imagine that the body identification number, in this case, 1192 plus some other number will appear, pehaps the fngine number? Am i right?. What style of impression or font was used? is it similar to the body number that is pressed into the firewall? If any one can help I will appreciate it.
Thanks and regards.
dnielsen.

The patent plate contains the vehicle number, selling dealer's name, and date of delivery. The thief-proof number or cowl number does not go on the decal. The vehicle number was preprinted at the factory in a unique Packard type font in black ink. The selling dealer added the other information in whatever manner he chose, often a rubber stamp and ink for the 1938-only decal.

Vehicle # would be the body type (1192) followed by a dash and then the sequential production number for that specific car, beginning at 2001 for the first 1192 produced. If you don't have a record of the original vehicle number, it does not appear anywhere else on the car and you'll have to create it, and hope that it's not already in legitimate use on another car.

Having owned a '38, without the decal, I'm always on the lookout for one with it. But in 5+ years have only seen one, see pic's, and that left a lot to be desired.

Attach file:

---

  (48.99 KB)


  (31.99 KB)


  (40.96 KB)


  (45.26 KB)


  (26.84 KB)

Hello Owen_Dyneto. Thanks for the info. I will try to find some sort of record of the Canadian production of '38 Packards,[in S. A. most American cars came from there]. If possible make an educated guess using my engine casting date as a reference,to come up with a production number. As to the rest I will scout around locally for dealers names etc. Regards dnielsen

Hello Ozstatman, thanks for the photos and info, Nice car.
I have family in Brisbane. Regards, dnielsen

dnielsen,

The '38 Super Eight in the pic's is on the Gold Coast south of Brisbane. I photographed it last year when visiting there.

The highest VN I know of for a 1192 is 1192-15416 so at the least you should pick a number higher than that, though you still will run some risk of having a duplicate # with some other vehicle.

Just as a matter of interest, the Canadian-built cars in 1938 had a starting sequence number of 101, whereas the US production started at 2001. Also, I don't think you mentioned previously that you had a Canadian-built car and that makes the discussion about the decal irrelevant, the Canadian-built cars did NOT use the decal but used a traditional brass patent plate, see below. Thanks to Chas. Finney for this photograph.

Attach file:

---

  (106.29 KB)

Here's a shot of my 38 decal. If I hold a light just right I can even read some of the numbers

Attach file:

---

  (148.46 KB)

Dear dnielson:

I have seen two good ones. Both cars had under 10,000 miles and were in heated garages.

As I recall the font was just a plain boldface arial type.

I do know where there is a good one with all the type but I don't speak to that person because he is too wierd.