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I am trying to figure out a 1948/49 Packard Custom Super 8 ..the cowl plaque says
2252-9-8003 it may be one of the confusing 49's made just before the 23 series took over? can anyone tell me what this code tells me besides the body style 2252...what does 9-8003 mean. There is not other code on the plate..the paint code, etc is all blank
Thanks...please respond to donwy@aol.com if u can. THANKS
DonHughes

Touring Sedan, Custom Su8 2206-2252

2252 should be the first 4 numbers on the VIN plate, indicating a 22nd series sedan (1948 model year).

Welcome Don -

Although I'm a V8 owner, I have been doing some research for a friend and may be able to shed some light. I'm not very familiar with the details of 22nd-23rd Series cars built over the three year period from 1948-1950 and never heard of a Custom Super Eight, but I can fully appreciate the confusion.

I show the 2252 model number as a 22nd Series, Custom Eight, Touring Sedan. The "-9" indicates that this is a 1949 model (NOT 1948). I suspect the suffix was used since 22nd Series production carried over from 1948 into 1949, until some point in May. The 23rd Series cars built in 1950 have a "-5" suffix to distinguish them from 1949 production.

BTW, the 2252 body was mated to the 2206 chassis, with 127-inch wheelbase and a 160HP engine.

WRT to the "8003", these digits represent a serialized production sequence on most cars, starting with car #1001. During that period in Packard history, it appears that production totals were not tracked by specific models , but related "familes" of models - a pattern which is not obvious to me. (Maybe someone else who knows will enlighten us to the truth.)

What I can tell you is that total production for combined Custom Eight Touring Sedan (2252) and Club Sedan (2255) was 5,935 units for 1948 and 2,989 units for 1949 - for a total of 8,924 units.

So, that makes me think the subject car is #7003 out of the total combined 22nd Series production run for these two models during 1948-49.

To my knowledge, Brian has it right.

This si an interesting side note I found doing research on the 48 and 49 Packard. In November 1948 Packard instructed all Packard deleats to remove data plates on all unsold 1948 Packards. The palte were order to be snet back to the factory. They were replaced by new plates with the suffix 9 added to the body style number.

The intersting part of this is did Packard also increase the prices on these unsold 1948 models. Price increases ranged between $125.00 and $200.00 on the 1949 Packards.

John F. Shireman

John,
Do you know specifically what dealer letter or what kind of communication Packard used to tell dealers to pull the plates from unsold 1948 22nd Series cars and return them for re-numbering. It is certainly accepted as a fact that it happened but I have so far not been able to see a copy of a physical document so stating. As you know, I am writing a book on the 1948-50 cars and boy would I like to see a copy of the document issued by Packard with this request.

Robert Neal

WRT to the "8003", these digits represent a serialized production sequence on most cars, starting with car #1001.

I believe the base# was 2001, not 1001.

Mr.Neal: I have no such first hand documentation. Like you I can only go by what information I have read.

John F. Shireman

Owen - So about when would my 2262-3445 have been built ?

The -9- indicates it's a '48 unsold, relabeled as a '49. Since it's a 22 series, the first numbers of the model code, 2262. "True" '49s were 23 series and came out mid year and low production. Some also went unsold and carry a -5- middle code.
You can look up the production numbers by model in Neal's 48-50 book. I don't have time right now. The PAC, or Pack and Studebaker museums may have more info on actual production dates but not sure this exists anymore. Company documents were dispersed after the sale. No clear evidence of who has what. Have to contact all when researching.