Packard Forum Index » Packard Vehicles - For Sale, Wanted, Trade

The next group of cars from my dear friend Louis' collection are now listed on-line. I know most of these cars first-hand, so I may be able to fill in few blanks from the limited pictures and descriptions. Please circulate the auction info to anyone you think may be interested in these cars, there really are some good ones... link is
collarcityauctionsonline.com/servlet/List.do?auctionId=754

Item #9, 1954 Packard Caribbean Convertible, VIN: 5478CW2200A

Is that a Packard serial number with those extra three letters (especially the 'CW')?

The letter(s) between the two segments of the vehicle number represent the paint code(s), in some factory documentation this was a practice of Packard going back at least until the early 1930s, perhaps earlier. The delivery record cards gave paint code information in this manner.

The alpha character at the end is believed to indicate the number of revisions to the original production order before the car was actually built. An "A" would indicate the car was built in agreement with the original production order. There is a nice explanation of this in that older Cormorant article with production details of all the 5699 cars. As I recall at least one "C" car exists, originally designated for export with the metric speedo and low compression equipment, and reconfigured twice.

Thanks Owen! I knew about the 'A' on the end, but didn't know about the paint code. So would the paint code letters actually be stamped on the serial number plate between the two number segments?

No. The insertion of the paint code(s) between segments of the VN was apparently a practice limited to some written documents. And it was certainly not part of the formal vehicle number. I could provide copies of a document or two demonstrating this if you wish.

All the deals were in the last auction, with a 22% buyers premium I doubt there will be much action here.

Nothing is calling me.

Will there be a time to inspect the cars like the first auction?

That 1954 Caribbean looks pretty good.

Some of the cars in this lot are in much better condition than the previous. There are a few that caught my eye. Even with the buyer's premium, some of these may be picked up for much less than you could do otherwise.

Lot 9 - 1954 Caribbean. Decent condition, interior needs to be redone

Lot 12 - 1939 120 Rollston town car. Looks pretty good, especially the interior and the top

Lot 13 - 1938 Super 8 limo. Original paint and interior look great, plus upgraded to a very nice looking '39 engine (working on a '38 super 8 engine is the worst). Packard Blue. This is a beautiful car.

Lot 15 - 1941 120 coupe. Interior is a bit rough, but the exterior isn't bad.

Lot 16 - 1937 120 Dietrich convertible. It's a project, but you don't see a lot of these around

Lot 17 - 1937 120 convertible. Already restored. A little work and it should be back in business. Really nice car.

A couple of other '41's that are projects or parts cars. And a couple of '54 Pacific's that might be more for parts. The cracked windshield on the first one made my cry a little.

-Kevin