I'm building a 1927 studebaker, of course it started as just a body and I don't have any vin numbers. If any one has any info on how to obtain some that would be awesome. I don't want to register the car as a special build just because here in cali that means inspections, smog and all that other crap I don't want to deal with. any help would kick a$$!
1927 Studebaker IDs were either on the left frame rail above the axle (EU, EQ, ES and some EW models) or some of the EW series had a tag on the left door hinge pillar. EU is the Standard/Dictator, EQ the Special Six, EW the Commander Big Six, and ES the President Big Six. Do you know what model your body was? Maybe it has the tag on it. 1920s serial numbers are confusing because many companies carried over the same model from one year to the next with no changes, calling it the next year's car, before introducing an all-new or slightly upgraded model as the true next model year car. In this case, some Dictators were carried over as 1928 models, while the Special Six was a carryover 1925-26 model as remaining stock was sold out (per NADA and Motor publications of the period). And the President model had a 1928 carryover also. Serial numbers and engine numbers as follows: Serials: EU - start 1346001 end 1410000 (1385940 and up sold as 1928 first series models, 1410001-up 1928 regular model) EQ - start 3173001 End 3200000 EW - start 4000001 end 4039800 (next serial is a 1928 car) ES - start 2102301, end 2114902, also carries over to 1928 first series. Engine numbers were often used as ID numbers then - EU start EU-1 end EU-65800 EQ - not available, but 1925-26 listing notes EQ numbers EQ-1 and up. EQ-53780/up would probably be in the 1927 range. EW start EW-1 end EW-40700 ES start ES-43301 and up. Only the ES (and likely high EU) engine numbers are used on 1928 cars, the others all change series or cease production and the beginning engine code changes. So using an engine number with the correct year prefix, but past the last number listed, should create a unique, clear serial number. You'd have to determine if any of them exist in California titled with the engine number.
That's great information from RNY. You really need to (quietly) check and see what California requires to title a vintage age car or you end up with a special build plate. The information you need will likely vary by state and may include a frame/body and/or engine to be an original title. Depending on what you need, maybe you could get enough of a Model A or period Chevy to title and then modify the Stude body to fit and keep calling it a Model A. Or, buy something already titled in another state,bring it in and transfer the title and mount your body. A brand new frame/motor combination is likely going to earn you problems. There are lots of threads here on titling woes,but remember it's pretty much a state by state problem.
Most people in your situation just buy an old title from a title agency and stamp those #'s on your frame.
The Jalopy Journal
