Thread: general registration questions

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Originally Posted by 35fordcoupe

I have one more question. In the 30's did they have any identification numbers on the cars? The old registration and insurance cars don't seem to have any number specific to the car.

Fords of the '30s had a vehicle specific "vin" stamped on the frame in two places, both on the driver side frame rail top. One is back where the frame begins it's kick over the rear axle, not visible with the body on (and usually erroded away over the years). The one most knowledgeable inspectors look for is on the front portion of the rail forward of the firewall down leg, sometimes almost as far forward as where the stock steering box mounts.

Often the same number was stamped on the top of the trans bell housing, but not necessarily so.

BTW, for info on all 50 state reg policies here's a site that might be worth saving: http://www.crankshaftcoalition.com/w...itle_a_hot_rod

Originally Posted by Bob Parmenter

Fords of the '30s had a vehicle specific "vin" stamped on the frame in two places, both on the driver side frame rail top. One is back where the frame begins it's kick over the rear axle, not visible with the body on (and usually erroded away over the years). The one most knowledgeable inspectors look for is on the front portion of the rail forward of the firewall down leg, sometimes almost as far forward as where the stock steering box mounts.

Often the same number was stamped on the top of the trans bell housing, but not necessarily so.

BTW, for info on all 50 state reg policies here's a site that might be worth saving: http://www.crankshaftcoalition.com/w...itle_a_hot_rod

KANSAS is totally blank!! Unfortunately that is because the process is such a royal PITA!!

Thanks again Jack. If the plate goes in the door jam than I won't mind just masking it off for paint.

That's interesting Bob. I don't remember seeing the number on the frame when I was preping and painting it. Maybe it was ground off by the previous owner after they stole it from someone?. Would this be the serial number that I have listed on the old insurance and registration papers or another unrelated number?

Originally Posted by 35fordcoupe

Would this be the serial number that I have listed on the old insurance and registration papers or another unrelated number?

In most cases I would expect so if the registering state used the original manufacturer supplied number. I don't have my file of info with me here in Vegas so can't check but the number for these; should start with either a 48 or perhaps an 18, 48 being the indicator for a '35. On the frame the stamped vin would start with a five pointed star, then the number sequence. Years of corrosion will sometimes make them very difficult to see as they get erroded away, especially if someone unwittingly took a grinder to the area to "clean up" the rust. Many times an acid wash in the noted area will bring up a faint image of the original stamping.

Bob/35FordCoupe,
I'm not sure it is the best source, but here is a place I used in the past when chasing numbers. The notes at the bottom of the list discuss specific locations, as well as symbols that are found on OEM stampings to frame the number. http://www.vanpeltsales.com/FH_web/f...ialnumbers.htm

I always find it best to just go down to the local DMV and ask them, preferrably before you invest a bunch of time/money. Even in the same state, the interpretation of the rules change from one DMV to the next. In Texas we always went to one town and not another because they used a different, and much simpler, way to do it.
I know you have the history on the car and this is a sidebar but many people have waited until the car was built and then had problems. I have even heard of a previous owner coming with a slideback and taking a car that he held the legal title to. Not what you want to see happen to a build that took 4 years and $30,000.