Simple tech: where to find your early Ford VIN

All of the early Fords have their VIN number right in front of the firewall on the driver's side frame rail.

There may also be a corresponding VIN stamped on a pad above the flywheel/clutch housing. But I'm guessing that a lot of these are long gone because of newer powerplants.

This example is a 1932, but the principle holds true for any pre-war Ford, starting with Model A's. The top picture is an overhead view of the VIN itself, the lower picture is exactly where you can find it.

--Matt

 

So I guess that means that I have to give up the frame with the beautiful****led A sedan sheetmetal that I have for sale?

 

I thought the VIN on Model A's was on top of the driver's side chassis rail but UNDER the body, so the only way you could get to it is by lifting the shell.

 

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I thought the VIN on Model A's was on top of the driver's side chassis rail but UNDER the body, so the only way you could get to it is by lifting the shell.

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It is. Here's a link for more Model A serial number info:
http://www.geocities.com/jim_mason_49913/numbers.html

 

that guy has a good site.

nice link to some pinups too
http://www.geocities.com/jim_mason_49913/garageart.html

 

Good post idea.

I'll add, my 39 Ford more-door had the frame number on the frame, drivers side, opposite the front crossmember.

I'm fairly sure my friends 48 F1 has the frame number on the front crossmember fairly close to the frame on the drivers side.
Reason I say fairly sure is, the number looked like a VIN#, but it didn't quite translate according to some number lists I've seen, but I think those were geared towards 50 & up F1's.

One last comment, if you're taking the car to the DMV to get the numbers verified, scrub them with some chalk and wipe off the excess to make it easy for the DMV people.
It will be appreciated by them and anything you can do to gain favor doesn't hurt.

 

and here I thought the VIN was found at the business end of a stamp and hammer!!!

 

Also, V8 Fords almost always have one or two stampings of the number minus its prefix along the left rail under the body. You get another chance if one is pitted to hell...
And if that crossmember number is something like "8RC 5020", you're looking at the part number for the crossmember! This and the various****embly plant/body builder numbers found on some early Ford firewalls and seat area body crossmembers might do as registration numbers if you can't find anything else and the DMV people aren't real up on their early Ford tech...

 

Here's a list of numbers so you can ID trans cases and stray frames:
http://www.vanpeltsales.com/FH_web/flathead_serialnumbers.htm

That site has lots of other good stuff on it.