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

on my 39 120, the engine number is B312862A. What does the A signify? Theft proof number is 503I04.

Hi Dave: Could I get a vehicle number to go with that thief-proof number? Incidently, in Packard's type font used for the thief proof numbers, vehicle numbers, and much of their printed advertising, the character "I" is read as "1". It's been a while since I last did so, so I'll again post an example from their exclusive font (Packard Bold, American Type Founders #453).

Someone else will have the answer about the engine# suffix but as I look at about 100 39 120s I have engine numbers for, they all have the "A".

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O_D, just to continue the excursion, I see there is no "Pp" in the Packard font!

A secret test to see who is alert and reads this stuff.

Sneaky - aint he?

The meaning of the 39 "A" suffix is proving elusive at the moment. I don't find it in the literature I have but am missing tech bulletins if they used them in addition to the service letters then. Hopefully someone else can answer. If it were a 38 engine, A would be a cast iron camshaft & B would be steel --each needing to replace a different gear somewhere else if camshaft replaced. If a 40, A would mean a different type clutch plate only. B would be a different complete clutch assy substituted -- all due to shortages of one thing or another.

I have said it before -- my hat's off to the mechanics working for Packard back then. Trying to keep track of various changes they would need to know in order to service a vehicle properly must have been mind boggling. Between suffixes, symbols, and dabs of colored paint here and there designating some important change, not always meaning the same thing year to year or sometimes even model to model, it's a wonder any of them kept their sanity.

That's way I love this site - learn something everyday!

Owen, the chassis ID is 1707-1294, four door sedan 120. It has a radio, underdash heater/defroster and underseat heater, but no overdrive. It was purchased new in Dallas TX, from the Ross Ave dealership. I bought it from Cecil Eugen Hawkins in Duncanville TX in 2003. He had purchased it from a Bobby R. Almond in Arlington TX. Not sure who was the original purchaser.

Thanks for the vehicle number. I believe the chassis number should be 1701, not 1707; 1707 would be a twelve cylinder model.

1701 is correct. The 12 is a neat car, but too rich for my pocket book.