O.K. i'm needing to know a few things about my serial#/vin on my 1939 ford tudor sedan standard. On the very front of the frame rail by the steering box the serial number is stamped starting with 18- then continues on with 7 more numbers. then i check the 2 other vin locations on the frame and there only stamped with the last seven numbers and not the 18- in front of it. So my question is when im trying to locate a title for the vehicle with the dmv do i give them the whole 18-******* or do i just give them the last 7 numbers. what is the complete serial#/vin i need to use when trying to locate a title for the vehicle.
good question, This 34 coupe I'm building is my first one. I've had A ton of model A in the past but the vin is diffrent on them. I wasn't going to use the 18 in my vin when that time comes but this is the first time I've though about it and it's got to be right. also does the number 18 just means it's A v8?
18 means it is a 221 V8 (239 would have been 99, used in trucks and Mercs), the actual number means it is that number in a series started with #1 in 1932. It is rightly part of the SN...the others are the "secret" numbers for checking stolen cars. 18-4,661,001 to 18-5,210,700 is the 1939 range. if V8 60, "54" meaning 1935 series 136 would be the code. The REAL serial is the same # stamped on trans bell...power train was numbered at engine plant, # copied and stamped on frame at assembly plat.
Hmm the car did not come with the transmission or engine. so i guess when i apply for am abandoned title i will include the 18- then if thats is what your saying is the compllete serial/vin#.
When I complete appraisals for insurance companies and check the frame number with the title serial numbers they must include the 18. Larry
The 18- is part of the complete serial number, but practice varied from one assembly plant to another as to whether to put the prefix on the frame. I still have the original transmission out of my '38 Ford pickup which has the full *18-4461076* but it only has 4461076 stamped on the frame. Something that I have never seen on another old Ford. My truck has 81C (model designation for '38 commercial) stamped on the frame under the serial number. For what it's worth, Ford's number stamps used a capital I for the numeral 1, so any I's in your number should be read as 1's. I used the full number to register it and will keep the trans that came out of it if anyone ever questions anything.
On my '34 Fordor the frame is stamped with the "18" prefix , but the title itself has "40" for the prefix. All the other numbers are identical on the frame and the title. I'm thinking that when cars were originally titled, the prefix used could have been the model number (33 and 34 fords cars were known as the model 40).
thanks for all your help! im going to use the complete prefix of 18- thanks alot guys and the hamb once again.
In my state the reg has make and body style boxes on it. example, make 34 ford, body style model 40 coupe. Jared
You will have to give the DMV the whole 18-numbers,...the last 6- numbers are the sequential run/build number from the assembly line plant. the middle numbers allocate the assembly plant, engine configuations, and dates.
Also, different plants had different assembly codes copasetic to that region of the country.( this is also apparent with interior materials and coverings and options listed on the body trim tag. which also varie from plant to assembly plant)
It is common practice to have an additional vin tag made with the 18-digit code from the frame put onto the body for proper police identification( most put the 3/8" X 2" tag on the drivers side door frame) as it is much easier to see and identify.
The Jalopy Journal
