Had a friend call me a bit ago asking for some direction. He just sold a 1946 Mercury Coupe and the new owner is having trouble registering it. The car has been a local car for over thirty years, and the guy he bought it from restored it from a near hulk. When he bought the car, having known it forever and with Arkansas not having an inspection, he never looked for a physical VIN. A week ago he sold the car ( and ruined my evil plan to acquire it) and it went out of state. The new owner has to have the VIN verified, and can't find a number to show the DMv..... I was told there was probably a number on the motor, ( a flat head) and possibly on the frame rails. Can anyone tell me exactly where? Thanks.
This might help if someone hasn't knocked the number off the firewall and or if it has the original block. http://forum.love-fords.org/content.php?189-1946-1947-1948-Ford-Mercury-Lincoln-VIN-Highs
If it is like a 40 Ford frame, then the factory number is stamped in three place of the left frame rail. 1. Under the hood, around the engine mount, 2. in the middle, right under the door. 3. on the frame kick up over the rear end.
I am with kscarguy on this based on my knowledge about early Fords but you might try the Mercury Forum on the Early Ford V8 Club site (earlyfordv8.org). Charlie Stephens
stamped on the top of the frame rail infront of the steering box. it with start with a star infront and end with a star behind.
For USA production, we have the breakdown from 1932-59 on one of our webpages: http://vanpeltsales.com/FH_web/flathead_serialnumbers.htm Note: if the trans were original, it would have the same serial number stamped into the top front of its bell housing. If this was a cobbled up car, chances are the serial on the trans is from another car. The real number the DMV will want to see is stamped into the top flange of the driver's side frame rail. Of the 3 locations Ford stamped it, the only one visible with the body sitting on the frame will be the location at the front, near the steering gearbox. It could have been stamped anywhere from the front crossmember all the way back to aft of the steering box.
Ditto with bbr......drivers side on top of frame close to motor mount location on my '48 Ford. Starts with a star........use a little emery cloth, to clean up the rust. I never could quite figure the other two locations....... are you supposed to lift the body high enough to read them ? !!! Good luck...........