I found the letters WEF stamped into a 32 frame under the vin just in front of the firewall on the drivers side. Is this the stamp of an after market frame co.?
Picture of the frame Sure would help. Be sure to block your numbers. People like Mr. Lancaster could tell you if the stamp was real Ford.
I'm not sure about the letters but I do know that some frames were manufactured in Walkersville,Ontario,Canada..that would help with the "W" . HRP
The reason I checked the frame # was my title shows the vin as 18490 xxx which is a 34 # not a 32 #. The frame has the same # right where it should be in front of cowling but no * on either end then right under the # is WEF. The frame shows no pitting under the paint and primer where I cleaned it so I thought it might be a replacement frame. The car was built in the late 70s early 80s and has been on the road with this title since then and who knows how long before that. Is this a problem or since the frame and title match, nothing to worry about?
Maybe. That may help decide if it was stamped by Ford or just someone that had a open '34 title to use.
It's possible,,and yes they did. Bruce Lancaster is the resident Guru,,so maybe he will drop in and share some of his abyss of knowledge. HRP
Oh yes, I know of Mr Lancaster, he's answered a few questions for me. Anyway, I work for Ford prototype. We still abreviate plants like that. For instance, Woodhaven Stamping Plant is: WHSTPLT
The more I think about it I think it is a new frame. The car is channeled so the firewall braces are not on the car but there are no holes in the frame for them. That still does not explain how a 32 title ended up with a 34 vin number.
Pics would be cool, been wanting to see your 3w score! I thought the 18 prefix was used clear through '36? http://www.vanpeltsales.com/FH_web/flathead_serialnumbers.htm
1932 V8s went to 18-302XXX or there about. The 18 prefix was used throughout the 1930s. An 18-490XXX would be a 1933 not a 1934. The '32 Ford was built in 1933 and 1934 in foreign plants and in fact the last was assembled in 1935 in Belgium. As frame numbers are assigned by the engine installed in the factory, it is quite plausible that a 1932 Ford was assembled in a foreign plant using the engine 18-490XXX. The WEF prefix must be a foreign plant anyway. Does your title show a date of first registration or simply the model year? Ed
Does the 32 Ford 18-xxxxxx carry thru the other 2 Vin #s under the door and rear kickup? What I mean is do they drop the 18 prefix. Ago
Can you see the inside of the rails, and if so, are the holes filled so you can tell, or does it look like there were never any holes there? If it looks absolutely perfect, then you probably have repro rails that somebody stamped a '33 number into. Show us a picture (fuzz out the last few digits). We can tell by the lettering style if they are real or not. Bruce Lancaster posted on the Fordbarn that he would be away from a computer till school started again in January.
All you guys that are curious about the 32 and later VIN #'s I suggest that you go on www.fordbarn.com(sister site to this also owned by Ryan) early V8 Forum and you will get the correct info.DavidG,the 32 expert and author of the 32 Ford 2 volume books will chime in.Bruce is also a member there.32 V8 #'s started with 18-1 - 18-212,238 for domestic production.Hope this helps.
Reproduction frame. Don't worry about it. If it is stamped it could be an original (Deuce Factory) easy to tell by rounded edges (larger than stock). If it is welded u know it is aftermarket. Marten Fabrication built the first fabricated rails in the 70's and the DF came next. Just a Hobby built lots of rails for all shops. Now everyone makes rails.
The Jalopy Journal
