Where's my serial number?
- Late 1960s and later: usually on a small plate on the dashboard, visible through the windshield on the driver's side.
- Earlier cars: it varies by make and year. Common places are the driver's door pillar or hinge post, the steering column, the firewall, or near the glove box. Each make's page lists what our sources say.
- Paperwork: your title and registration also show it.
Example: 21822001 (an example Packard serial).
Years we cover
1946-1956.
What a Packard serial looks like, by year
Each example below is split into numbered groups of characters, with what each group means. Example numbers show the layout; they are not a specific car.
1946-1947
Looks like 21822001 (8 characters)
| 1 Series number | 21: 21st Series (1946 and 1947) [PKINFO] [PKCLUB] |
| 2 Body model (last digits of the body model number) | 82: Clipper Six Touring Sedan (2182) [PKCLUB] |
| 3 Production number | 2001 [PKINFO] [PKCLUB] |
- The Packard Club introduction says 1946 and 1947 were both the 21st Series and differ in body numbers '16' and '21'; we do not split by year.
- This format is digits only, and many makers used plain numeric serials in these years. A match here does not by itself show the car is this make; check the make on the car and its paperwork.
PackardInfo gives 1947 as the 21st Series with the first two digits as the series number and the production number starting at 2001 (Packard Club data book). Plate: patent plate on the engine side of the firewall or cowl for 1939-1950 (ClassicDecoder).
Vehicle Number (VN) is body model number plus production number; the dash is dropped by the decoder. Example constructed from the format description (PackardInfo).
Body numbers listed for 1947 in the data book include 2182 (Clipper Six Touring Sedan), 2185 (Club Sedan), 2192 (Clipper Eight Touring Sedan); body suffix is left unmapped here.
1948
Looks like 22932001 (8 characters)
| 1 Series number | 22: 22nd Series (1948 and early 1949) [PKINFO] [PKCLUB] |
| 2 Body model (last digits of the body model number) | 93: Standard Eight Station Sedan (2201-2293) [PKCLUB] |
| 3 Production number | 2001 [PKINFO] [PKCLUB] |
- Unsold 1948 cars may carry replacement plates in the 1949 22##-9-#### form (PackardInfo). The 1948 form (8 digits) and the 1949 22nd Series form (9 digits) can overlap when a 1948 production number has five digits.
- This format is digits only, and many makers used plain numeric serials in these years. A match here does not by itself show the car is this make; check the make on the car and its paperwork.
Body model numbers from the Packard Club data book 1948 table are shown as chassis-body (e.g. 2201-2293); the VN uses the second (body) number. Plate: patent plate on the engine side of the firewall or cowl, driver's side cowl forward of the windshield per the data book (Packard Club; ClassicDecoder).
Vehicle Number (VN) is body model number plus production number; the dash is dropped by the decoder. Example constructed from the format description (PackardInfo).
Effective 1 November 1948, for registration, 1948 Series 2200 Packards became 1949 Series 2200-9 models (PackardInfo).
All body model (last digits of the body model number) codes (20)
| 50 | Custom Super Eight Limousine (2226-2250) [PKCLUB] |
| 51 | Custom Super Eight Sedan (2226-2251) [PKCLUB] |
| 52 | Custom Super Eight Touring Sedan (2206-2252) [PKCLUB] |
| 55 | Custom Super Eight Club Sedan (2206-2255) [PKCLUB] |
| 59 | Custom Super Eight Convertible Victoria (2233-2259) [PKCLUB] |
| 62 | Deluxe Eight Touring Sedan (2201-2262) [PKCLUB] |
| 65 | Deluxe Eight Club Sedan (2201-2265) [PKCLUB] |
| 70 | Super Eight Deluxe Limousine (2222-2270) [PKCLUB] |
| 71 | Super Eight Deluxe Touring Sedan (2222-2271) [PKCLUB] |
| 72 | Super Eight Touring Sedan (2222-2272) [PKCLUB] |
| 75 | Super Eight Club Sedan (2222-2275) [PKCLUB] |
| 76 | Super Eight Limousine (2222-2276) [PKCLUB] |
| 77 | Super Eight Touring Sedan (2222-2277) [PKCLUB] |
| 79 | Super Eight Convertible Victoria (2232-2279) [PKCLUB] |
| 80 | Six, export/taxi limousine (2220-2280) [PKCLUB] |
| 82 | Six, export sedan (2240-2282) [PKCLUB] |
| 86 | Six, export sedan taxi (2240-2286) [PKCLUB] |
| 92 | Standard Eight Touring Sedan (2201-2292) [PKCLUB] |
| 93 | Standard Eight Station Sedan (2201-2293) [PKCLUB] |
| 95 | Standard Eight Club Sedan (2201-2295) [PKCLUB] |
1949
Looks like 229392001 (9 characters)
| 1 Series number | 22: 22nd Series, sold as 1949 (22##-9-####) [PKINFO] [PKCLUB] |
| 2 Body model (last digits of the body model number) | 93: Standard Eight Station Sedan (2201-2293) [PKCLUB] |
| 3 Production number | 2001 [PKINFO] [PKCLUB] |
- This format is digits only, and many makers used plain numeric serials in these years. A match here does not by itself show the car is this make; check the make on the car and its paperwork.
1949 22nd Series numbers carry a 9 after the body model number: 22##-9-#### (PackardInfo).
Vehicle Number (VN) is body model number plus production number; the dash is dropped by the decoder. Example constructed from the format description (PackardInfo).
Body suffixes follow the 1948 22nd Series table; not repeated here.
All body model (last digits of the body model number) codes (20)
| 50 | Custom Super Eight Limousine (2226-2250) [PKCLUB] |
| 51 | Custom Super Eight Sedan (2226-2251) [PKCLUB] |
| 52 | Custom Super Eight Touring Sedan (2206-2252) [PKCLUB] |
| 55 | Custom Super Eight Club Sedan (2206-2255) [PKCLUB] |
| 59 | Custom Super Eight Convertible Victoria (2233-2259) [PKCLUB] |
| 62 | Deluxe Eight Touring Sedan (2201-2262) [PKCLUB] |
| 65 | Deluxe Eight Club Sedan (2201-2265) [PKCLUB] |
| 70 | Super Eight Deluxe Limousine (2222-2270) [PKCLUB] |
| 71 | Super Eight Deluxe Touring Sedan (2222-2271) [PKCLUB] |
| 72 | Super Eight Touring Sedan (2222-2272) [PKCLUB] |
| 75 | Super Eight Club Sedan (2222-2275) [PKCLUB] |
| 76 | Super Eight Limousine (2222-2276) [PKCLUB] |
| 77 | Super Eight Touring Sedan (2222-2277) [PKCLUB] |
| 79 | Super Eight Convertible Victoria (2232-2279) [PKCLUB] |
| 80 | Six, export/taxi limousine (2220-2280) [PKCLUB] |
| 82 | Six, export sedan (2240-2282) [PKCLUB] |
| 86 | Six, export sedan taxi (2240-2286) [PKCLUB] |
| 92 | Standard Eight Touring Sedan (2201-2292) [PKCLUB] |
| 93 | Standard Eight Station Sedan (2201-2293) [PKCLUB] |
| 95 | Standard Eight Club Sedan (2201-2295) [PKCLUB] |
1949
Looks like 23822001 (8 characters)
| 1 Series number | 23: 23rd Series, sold as 1949 (23##-####) [PKINFO] [PKCLUB] |
| 2 Body model (last digits of the body model number) | 82: Super Eight Sedan (2302-2382) [PKCLUB] |
| 3 Production number | 2001 [PKINFO] [PKCLUB] |
- The 1949 23rd Series form (23##-####) and the 1950 form (23##-5-####) overlap when a 1949 production number starts with 5 and the 1950 plate is read without its dash.
- This format is digits only, and many makers used plain numeric serials in these years. A match here does not by itself show the car is this make; check the make on the car and its paperwork.
23rd Series started in May 1949 (Packard Club data book). The 1949 form is 23##-#### (PackardInfo).
Vehicle Number (VN) is body model number plus production number; the dash is dropped by the decoder. Example constructed from the format description (PackardInfo).
Body suffixes combine the data book's 1949 and 1950 23rd Series lists; the 1949 list prints one body as '2322-2271' (apparently a typo for 2322-2371).
All body model (last digits of the body model number) codes (14)
| 52 | Custom Eight Sedan (2306-2352) [PKCLUB] |
| 59 | Custom Eight Convertible (2333-2359) [PKCLUB] |
| 62 | Deluxe Eight Touring Sedan (2301-2362; 1950) [PKCLUB] |
| 65 | Deluxe Eight Club Sedan (2301-2365; 1950) [PKCLUB] |
| 70 | Super Deluxe Eight Limousine (2322-2370) [PKCLUB] |
| 71 | Super Eight Deluxe Sedan (2322-2271 as printed) [PKCLUB] |
| 72 | Super Deluxe Eight Sedan (2302-2372) [PKCLUB] |
| 75 | Super Deluxe Eight Club Sedan (2302-2375) [PKCLUB] |
| 79 | Super Deluxe Eight Convertible (2332-2379) [PKCLUB] |
| 82 | Super Eight Sedan (2302-2382) [PKCLUB] |
| 85 | Super Eight Club Sedan (2302-2385) [PKCLUB] |
| 92 | Standard Eight Sedan (1950: 2392) [PKCLUB] |
| 93 | Standard Eight Station Sedan (1950: 2393) [PKCLUB] |
| 95 | Standard Eight Club Sedan (1950: 2395) [PKCLUB] |
1950
Looks like 238252001 (9 characters)
| 1 Series number | 23: 23rd Series, 1950 (23##-5-####) [PKINFO] [PKCLUB] |
| 2 Body model (last digits of the body model number) | 82: Super Eight Sedan (2302-2382) [PKCLUB] |
| 3 Production number | 2001 [PKINFO] [PKCLUB] |
- PackardInfo notes some unsold cars received 23##-9-#### replacement plates so they could be sold as 1950 models; that variant is not encoded.
- This format is digits only, and many makers used plain numeric serials in these years. A match here does not by itself show the car is this make; check the make on the car and its paperwork.
1950 23rd Series numbers carry a 5 after the body model number: 23##-5-#### (PackardInfo). The data book gives the 1950 form as XXXX-5-2nnn.
Vehicle Number (VN) is body model number plus production number; the dash is dropped by the decoder. Example constructed from the format description (PackardInfo).
All body model (last digits of the body model number) codes (14)
| 52 | Custom Eight Sedan (2306-2352) [PKCLUB] |
| 59 | Custom Eight Convertible (2333-2359) [PKCLUB] |
| 62 | Deluxe Eight Touring Sedan (2301-2362; 1950) [PKCLUB] |
| 65 | Deluxe Eight Club Sedan (2301-2365; 1950) [PKCLUB] |
| 70 | Super Deluxe Eight Limousine (2322-2370) [PKCLUB] |
| 71 | Super Eight Deluxe Sedan (2322-2271 as printed) [PKCLUB] |
| 72 | Super Deluxe Eight Sedan (2302-2372) [PKCLUB] |
| 75 | Super Deluxe Eight Club Sedan (2302-2375) [PKCLUB] |
| 79 | Super Deluxe Eight Convertible (2332-2379) [PKCLUB] |
| 82 | Super Eight Sedan (2302-2382) [PKCLUB] |
| 85 | Super Eight Club Sedan (2302-2385) [PKCLUB] |
| 92 | Standard Eight Sedan (1950: 2392) [PKCLUB] |
| 93 | Standard Eight Station Sedan (1950: 2393) [PKCLUB] |
| 95 | Standard Eight Club Sedan (1950: 2395) [PKCLUB] |
1951
Looks like 24922001 (8 characters)
| 1 Series number | 24: 24th Series (1951) [PKINFO] [PKCLUB] |
| 2 Body model (last digits of the body model number) | 92: 200 Touring Sedan [PKCLUB] |
| 3 Production number | 2001 [PKINFO] [PKCLUB] |
- The 1951 table prints 2452 for both the 400 Touring Sedan and the Custom Formal Sedan.
- This format is digits only, and many makers used plain numeric serials in these years. A match here does not by itself show the car is this make; check the make on the car and its paperwork.
Vehicle Number (VN) is body model number plus production number; the dash is dropped by the decoder. Example constructed from the format description (PackardInfo).
Patent plate on the driver's side A-pillar door jamb for 1951-1953 (ClassicDecoder).
Data book 'serial' columns for 1951 show J-prefixed ranges (200: J-200,001 to 280,000; 250 and 300: J-400,001 to 425,000; 400: J-600,001 to 610,000); these appear to be motor/serial numbers and are not encoded.
All body model (last digits of the body model number) codes (9)
| 52 | 400 Touring Sedan / Custom Formal Sedan [PKCLUB] |
| 62 | 200 Deluxe Touring Sedan [PKCLUB] |
| 65 | 200 Deluxe Club Sedan [PKCLUB] |
| 67 | 250 Sports Coupe [PKCLUB] |
| 69 | 250 Convertible [PKCLUB] |
| 72 | 300 Touring Sedan [PKCLUB] |
| 92 | 200 Touring Sedan [PKCLUB] |
| 95 | 200 Club Sedan [PKCLUB] |
| 98 | 200 Business Coupe [PKCLUB] |
1952
Looks like 25922001 (8 characters)
| 1 Series number | 25: 25th Series (1952) [PKINFO] [PKCLUB] |
| 2 Body model (last digits of the body model number) | 92: 200 Touring Sedan [PKCLUB] |
| 3 Production number | 2001 [PKINFO] [PKCLUB] |
- Data book prints 2472 for the 1952 300 in the table and 2572 in the interior notes; 2572 would fit the 25th Series.
- This format is digits only, and many makers used plain numeric serials in these years. A match here does not by itself show the car is this make; check the make on the car and its paperwork.
Vehicle Number (VN) is body model number plus production number; the dash is dropped by the decoder. Example constructed from the format description (PackardInfo).
Patent plate on the driver's side A-pillar door jamb for 1951-1953 (ClassicDecoder). Data book motor ranges for 1952: 200 K-200,001 to 250,000; 300 K-400,011 to 424,420 (not encoded).
All body model (last digits of the body model number) codes (8)
| 52 | 400 Touring Sedan [PKCLUB] |
| 62 | 200 Deluxe Touring Sedan [PKCLUB] |
| 65 | 200 Deluxe Club Sedan [PKCLUB] |
| 72 | 300 Touring Sedan unconfirmed Data book table prints 2472 for the 300 but its interior notes say 2572. [PKCLUB] |
| 77 | 250 Sports Coupe [PKCLUB] |
| 79 | 250 Convertible [PKCLUB] |
| 92 | 200 Touring Sedan [PKCLUB] |
| 95 | 200 Club Sedan [PKCLUB] |
1953
Looks like 26922001 (8 characters)
| 1 Series number | 26: 26th Series (1953) [PKINFO] [PKCLUB] |
| 2 Body model (last digits of the body model number) | 92: Clipper Touring Sedan [PKCLUB] |
| 3 Production number | 2001 [PKINFO] [PKCLUB] |
- This format is digits only, and many makers used plain numeric serials in these years. A match here does not by itself show the car is this make; check the make on the car and its paperwork.
Vehicle Number (VN) is body model number plus production number; the dash is dropped by the decoder. Example constructed from the format description (PackardInfo).
Models were renamed for 1953 (Clipper, Packard, Cavalier, Patrician). Data book motor ranges: Clipper L-200,011 to 250,000; Clipper Deluxe L-300,011 to 330,920; Packard and Cavalier L-400,001 to 418,552; Patrician L-600,011 to 607,829 (not encoded).
All body model (last digits of the body model number) codes (13)
| 50 | Patrician Corporation Limousine [PKCLUB] |
| 51 | Patrician Executive Sedan [PKCLUB] |
| 52 | Patrician Touring Sedan [PKCLUB] |
| 53 | Patrician Custom Formal Sedan [PKCLUB] |
| 62 | Clipper Deluxe Touring Sedan [PKCLUB] |
| 65 | Clipper Deluxe Club Sedan [PKCLUB] |
| 72 | Packard Cavalier Touring Sedan [PKCLUB] |
| 77 | Packard Mayfair, 2-door hardtop [PKCLUB] |
| 78 | Packard Caribbean convertible [PKCLUB] |
| 79 | Packard convertible [PKCLUB] |
| 92 | Clipper Touring Sedan [PKCLUB] |
| 95 | Clipper Club Sedan [PKCLUB] |
| 97 | Clipper Sportster, 2-door [PKCLUB] |
1954
Looks like 54922001 (8 characters)
| 1 Series number | 54: 54th Series (1954) [PKINFO] [PKCLUB] |
| 2 Body model (last digits of the body model number) | 92: Clipper Deluxe Touring Sedan [PKCLUB] |
| 3 Production number | 2001 [PKINFO] [PKCLUB] |
- This format is digits only, and many makers used plain numeric serials in these years. A match here does not by itself show the car is this make; check the make on the car and its paperwork.
Vehicle Number (VN) is body model number plus production number; the dash is dropped by the decoder. Example constructed from the format description (PackardInfo).
From 1954 the series number is tied to the production year (54th Series). Patent plate is a smaller embossed stainless plate in the driver's side A-pillar area for 1954-1956 (ClassicDecoder). PackardInfo example: 5492-2001 is the first Clipper Deluxe Touring Sedan built.
Data book also lists 5413 and 5431 body prefixes for extended-wheelbase chassis; not encoded.
All body model (last digits of the body model number) codes (15)
| 50 | Corporation Limousine [PKCLUB] |
| 51 | Executive Sedan [PKCLUB] |
| 52 | Patrician Touring Sedan [PKCLUB] |
| 62 | Clipper Super Touring Sedan [PKCLUB] |
| 65 | Clipper Super Club Sedan [PKCLUB] |
| 67 | Clipper Super Panama hardtop coupe [PKCLUB] |
| 72 | Packard Cavalier Touring Sedan [PKCLUB] |
| 77 | Pacific hardtop, 2-door [PKCLUB] |
| 78 | Caribbean convertible [PKCLUB] |
| 79 | Convertible coupe [PKCLUB] |
| 82 | Clipper Special Touring Sedan [PKCLUB] |
| 85 | Clipper Special Club Sedan [PKCLUB] |
| 92 | Clipper Deluxe Touring Sedan [PKCLUB] |
| 95 | Clipper Deluxe Club Sedan [PKCLUB] |
| 97 | Clipper Deluxe Sportster [PKCLUB] |
1955
Looks like 55821001 (8 characters)
| 1 Series number | 55: 55th Series (1955) [PKINFO] [PKCLUB] |
| 2 Body model (last digits of the body model number) | 82: Patrician Sedan [PKCLUB] |
| 3 Production number | 1001 [PKINFO] [PKCLUB] |
- This format is digits only, and many makers used plain numeric serials in these years. A match here does not by itself show the car is this make; check the make on the car and its paperwork.
Vehicle Number (VN) is body model number plus production number; the dash is dropped by the decoder. Example constructed from the format description (PackardInfo).
Data book note: the serial number and engine number are identical on all 1955 models; motor range *1001 and up. Plate: embossed stainless in the driver's side A-pillar area (ClassicDecoder).
All body model (last digits of the body model number) codes (8)
| 22 | Clipper Deluxe Sedan [PKCLUB] |
| 42 | Clipper Super Sedan [PKCLUB] |
| 47 | Clipper Panama [PKCLUB] |
| 62 | Clipper Custom Sedan [PKCLUB] |
| 67 | Clipper Constellation [PKCLUB] |
| 82 | Patrician Sedan [PKCLUB] |
| 87 | Four Hundred, 2-door hardtop [PKCLUB] |
| 88 | Caribbean convertible [PKCLUB] |
1956
Looks like 56821001 (8 characters)
| 1 Series number | 56: 56th Series (1956) [PKINFO] [PKCLUB] |
| 2 Body model (last digits of the body model number) | 82: Patrician Touring Sedan [PKCLUB] |
| 3 Production number | 1001 [PKINFO] [PKCLUB] |
- The data book prints 'VIN/serial: not listed' for 1956; the digit count of the production number is taken from the 1954 PackardInfo example and may differ.
- This format is digits only, and many makers used plain numeric serials in these years. A match here does not by itself show the car is this make; check the make on the car and its paperwork.
Vehicle Number (VN) is body model number plus production number; the dash is dropped by the decoder. Example constructed from the format description (PackardInfo).
Data book note for 1956: body type plus motor number; motor range *1001 and up. The 1955 and 1956 engine serial normally matches the VN unless the engine was replaced (PackardInfo).
All body model (last digits of the body model number) codes (11)
| 22 | Clipper Deluxe Touring Sedan [PKCLUB] |
| 42 | Clipper Super Touring Sedan [PKCLUB] |
| 47 | Clipper Super hardtop [PKCLUB] |
| 62 | Clipper Custom Touring Sedan [PKCLUB] |
| 67 | Clipper Constellation [PKCLUB] |
| 82 | Patrician Touring Sedan [PKCLUB] |
| 87 | Four Hundred, 2-door hardtop [PKCLUB] |
| 97 | Caribbean 2-door hardtop [PKCLUB] |
| 99 | Caribbean convertible [PKCLUB] |
| 72A | Executive Sedan 4-door (5672A) [PKCLUB] |
| 77A | Executive 2-door hardtop (5677A) [PKCLUB] |
What a serial number cannot tell you
It identifies what the factory recorded in the number: typically the model year, assembly plant, series or body and production sequence, and in some years the engine. It cannot confirm a car is original or numbers-matching. Compare stampings, body tags and documentation.