Packard Forum Index » V-8 (1955-56)

I am looking at reproducing the small stainless steel dash plaques used on some of the 1956 Packard Caribbeans that included the original owner's name. I have an actual plaque now as a model to work from.

I've physically seen two cars with these plaques attached which both were 56 Caribbean 2-dr hardtops, I've also found two other articles on the web that have mentioned their 56 Caribbeans (both convertibles) have these plates attached with Original owner's name included.


My questions are:
1) Does anyone else have a 1956 with this plate attached or the two mounting holes attached where this plate was? Would like to find pictures of where this plate was attached. I do have older photos of a 56 Caribbean hardtop with this plaque attached.

2) Does anyone know the history of these plaques? Factory installed, dealer installed? late cars or early cars only?

3) Do any 55's have them perhaps?

thanks!

I believe OD has the original owners dash plaque on his 56 Caribbean.

1. I've seen perhaps a dozen on 56 Caribbean convertibles, they all were brass and glued to the glove box door.

2 I very much doubt they were factory-installed as generally the factory didn't know the name of the initial purchaser. I have no documentation but I'll guess they were supplied loose to the dealer who had the owner's name engraved and then installed it. Some dealers may just not have bothered.

3. I don't recall seeing them on any 55 Caribs; Tex Sorrell's 55 Carib is a very original car and doesn't have one, perhaps ECAnthony can comment on Dan Kanter's 55 Carib, also very original.

The one on my 56 has a bit of a story told to me by the original owner who was a very early Packard enthusiast and PAC member. He was so opposed to the Studebaker-Packard combine that he had a replica plaque made which identified the maker as Packard Motor Car Company and not Studebaker-Packard Corporation. The original brass one was in the glovebox when I bought the car but can't find it just now.

My 5697 has the stainless version or maybe it is a plated brass and is glued on.
I hesitate to mention as fact since the memory is failing but believe there was a paragraph or two in one of the books on the process for the plaques.

IIRC, (not guaranteed) they were a 56 addition and engraved at the factory. The process was the dealer either sent in a special card or provided the buyers name via other methods. The factory engraved the plaque and usually returned it to the dealer for installation. I believe it mentioned by request the plaque could be returned directly to the customer. Don't recall if there was a turnaround time noted.

The process was the dealer either sent in a special card or provided the buyers name via other methods. The factory engraved the plaque and usually returned it to the dealer for installation.

HH56, now that you mention it, that does jog my memory and I think you are correct. In any case it was not affixed at the factory except perhaps in the case of a factory delivery.

this is a very heavy stainless steel plate with a slight curvature and two large mounting pins, very well built and as well built as the cars themselves, no glue used on these, they even have clips for mounting the pins also

this is a very heavy stainless steel plate with a slight curvature and two large mounting pins

Picture, please.

1st of three photos

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2nd of three photos

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third of 3 photos

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