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

It's a '42, grill has horizontal side pieces, '41 had vertical pieces. I think it's a 282 but my Packard engine recognition skills are limited. Engine serial number locations have been identified in the Packard Engine Serial Number Reference in the Packard Literature and Manuals Section. Can't seem to open that at the moment but when you get in there, there are pic's of the engine number locations.

The significant visual clue on the engine is the starter motor, it's NOT a Super 8. And the number embossed into the cowl is not a vehicle number and is of no use in further identifying the vehicle, except to establish it as a 1942 model, and a late one at that.

i ve had it for years,,, yes its very complete,, looks to be an easy repair,, what is it??? hearse?

Junior dash plastic, senior steering wheel. I recall seeing a similar one (but a 41) in MI a few years ago

the motor is (A)E 319,357(1)

head is 367635 date 1-13

i have pics,, but too tired to go get camara.. lol

what do you think this things worth???

hope this works

i think the A and 1 are the stamp ends!!

so E 319,357

might have to rewrite books?

standard 8
1942 models:

300,001- 319,329 in one book 319,350 in another

here is the henny plate, that is was located on the passengerside seat floor board:



info i found from a fellow PAckard guy!!

So what we have is:

This car is a 2001A, or what would be a One Twenty if they were still using that nomenclature (by 1942 it was an Eight). The 20 means 20th Series, or 1942, while the 2001 signifies the Eight. The A suffix, probably derived from the word "ambulance," always meant a commercial version of the preceding chassis (until the 1956 Executive).

The serial is, as you noted, #724, as they started each year with -2001. The last 1942 Henney Packard Eight was -2804, making your car 80 units shy of the end for the year (or 81, depending on how you interpret the word "shy").

The last engine number was E 319 359, so your engine is even closer to the end. Reinforcing the observation that they didn't necessarily use chassis and engines in order, but pulled from stock. Most Henneyfolks use the body number as a reference to everything; that's on the Henney plate, found probably nailed to the floor under the passenger's heel. The Henney plate will also have the Henney model number, which you can expect to be something like 4294.

These numbers, incidentally, were furnished by Henney to the Ambulance Manufacturers Association at the time.

The embossed cowl number, the one some folks call the theftproof number, has no meaning for me. There are roster keepers who really groove on them, and The Packard Club can put you in touch with some of them (assuming that you are a member. If not, see me for details).

I'm going out on a limb here, however: I don't see "military" in that ambulance. For one thing, there's glass in the rear side doors, and they usually skipped that. For another, there's a clock, which the military never would have bought. Continuing: the marking on the glove box does not say TP 40 the way the military would have, it says TIRES: 40 LBS. The abbreviation "lbs" is not like the military anyway; they prefer the correct "lb." Finally, all the military Henneys I have ever seen from 1942 had extra cooling louvers on top of the bonnet, and a special ventilator cap on the roof, making the cars look like none other.

So my thinking is, this was a civilian ambulance, some rescue squad somewhere, or maybe a fire department.

You've undertaken a real project, and I commend you for it. There are plenty of Packard suppliers who can help; keep in touch.

Geo

Why have all the photos disappeared?

i think i added that last photo to teh album and everything went haywire.

link to all photos:

http://s867.photobucket.com/albums/ab239/meatball427/1937%20Packard/1942%20Packard%20Hearse/