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How can I identify what model a vehicle is? I have a 1938 Packard, 4-door sedan. How can I tell which series it is? I can't tell if it is a Super 8 Deluxe, a touring sedan.

I don't know what to look for to identify the specific model.

First, 1938 was the 16th Series.

Second, check out the Model Info pages for 1938 for more info:

https://packardinfo.com/xoops/html/modules/modelinfo/index.php?mode=year&id=1938&ButtonYear=Go

The best was to positively identify the car is using the Vehicle Number.

This will help with looking at the various ID numbers to positively determine what you have:

https://packardinfo.com/xoops/html/modules/article/view.article.php?397

Once you know the "Vehicle Number", the first part of it is the "Model Number". Then you can look that up in the Model Info pages for more information.

G'day dienes83646,
to PackardInfo.

Unfortunately '38 was the only year Packard didn't affix an ID plate to the firewall. They used a decal and with the effects of time and aging most of the decals no longer remain on the car. If an owner is lucky enough, documentation may have come with the car when purchased to properly identify it. Otherwise, as Kev suggests, the Model Info pages should help. Failing that, give a thorough description and post pic's of the car in question and of any details or features which could assist in its identification and the knowledgeable and experienced here should be able to assist. As for a quick way to identify whether its a Super Eight, if the distributor mounts on the top of the head then it is one. If the distributor mounts on the drivers side of the block then its an eight.

Anyway, once you've identified your '38, could you please include it in the Packard Owner's Registry here, together with a pic, any known history and how you acquired it?

for including your '38 Eight 4 Door Touring Sedan in the Packard Owner's Registry.

Differentialting a 1938 Eight (a/k/a "120") from a Super Eight is very simple, just open the hood and take a gander.

The Super Eight has a two-piece engine block, aluminum lower crankcase and cast iron cylinders with the distributor mounted vertically on top of the cylinder head. The Eight has a one-piece engine block with the distributor mounted low down at an upwards angle on the driver's side.