Seeking Info on a 1939 Tudor Sedan
 

Hey y’all… a friend of mine has a 1939 Tudor Sedan that he is trying to title after it has been sitting in his family’s barn since the mid-60’s.
He’s wondering where the VIN is located on the car and does this number from the 1964 title sound like a normal VIN for the 39 tudor?: 4962832

Thanks for any help…

Re: Seeking Info on a 1939 Tudor Sedan
 

VIN sequencing did not start until 1968. Fords of the era had a serial number stamped on the drivers frame rail, most forward position is just forward of the firewall on the top side of the frame. The other two are not visible unless the body is removed from the car. The serial begins and ends with a "Star" stamp and can be a variable number of characters. See Mac VanPelt's web site for more info.

Re: Seeking Info on a 1939 Tudor Sedan
 

The VIN is stamped on the top of the frame rail on the driver side between the firewall and the front crossmember. It is usually located about where the steering gear is.

Van pelt lists the '39 serial numbers to be between 18-4,661,001 to 18-5,210,700

Re: Seeking Info on a 1939 Tudor Sedan
 

Hi Everyone, Tom, the vanpeltsales.com website has a very informative page that includes a list of serial numbers here:

http://www.vanpeltsales.com/FH_web/f...ialnumbers.htm

That number does appear to be in the range for a 39 85hp transmission. ADDING: The number should begin and end with a star symbol, then begin with a 18- and followed with the serial. The 1939's ranged between 18-4661001 to 18-5210700.

Near the bottom of the VanPelt page is a diagram of a frame with the areas indicated where the serial number that was on the transmission was stamped on the frame as they were married.

Re: Seeking Info on a 1939 Tudor Sedan
 

Yes, and as stamped on the left front top of the frame: *18 4962832* The title may omit the prefix number 18 in some states, and never shows the stars as on the frame. The number is not a VIN, but rather, is the serial number of the engine/transmission assembly, stamped into the transmission bell before moving to the assembly line, where the number is then stamped into the frame. If the transmission has ever been replaced, the numbers won't match, but title goes with the frame anyway. Two other places to find the number, neither of which would have the prefix or stars: Midway top of left frame, hidden by the body, and top of left frame over rear axle. This last location is often not readable due to rust.


PS~ Jeff, you beat me to it! Heck, everyone beat me to it!

Re: Seeking Info on a 1939 Tudor Sedan
 

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This is the drawing (compliments of Mac VanPelt) that shows the relative location on a chassis to find the factory-stamped numbers. DD


https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/attac...4&d=1612216592

Re: Seeking Info on a 1939 Tudor Sedan
 

YES, mine is 51##### on a Wisconsin title, located on left frame rail, easily seen by lifting the hood.

Re: Seeking Info on a 1939 Tudor Sedan
 

On a car "sitting in a barn since the mid-sixties", you will probably need to do some cleaning of that section of the frame. And then maybe some de-greasing, too. The serial numbers can be difficult to read. They were just hand-stamped on the assembly line, are not stamped very deep. So use water and solvents to clean, but not abrasives.

Re: Seeking Info on a 1939 Tudor Sedan
 

Thank you fellers, This is exactly the kind of information that Robby (my friend) was hoping I'd find.

Re: Seeking Info on a 1939 Tudor Sedan
 

As Jay indicated, avoid using abrasive materials on the stamped characters. Scotch Brite pads are the best choice.

Re: Seeking Info on a 1939 Tudor Sedan
 

Ya know, if by chance that '39 still has it's ORIGINAL transmission, the original Serial Number will be stamped into the flat pad at the very top, front of the transmission bell where it bolts to the engine block, similar to the number on this 1948 Ford transmission in picture. But be prepared for the number to be something altogether different though, as not TOO many of these old Fords still retain their virgin trans. DD


https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/attac...1&d=1612138936

Re: Seeking Info on a 1939 Tudor Sedan
 

I'll tell him coop. IIRC, this car was his grandad's from new, so the likelihood of the trans still being a virgin is greater than average. Thank you sir.

Re: Seeking Info on a 1939 Tudor Sedan
 

Here's a note from my friend - thanks for all the info!

"Tom, I was able to read the email earlier today but got sidetracked by an hydraulic issue. I was just able to read the email fully and I hopefully will be able to find the stamp tomorrow. Thanks for all your help! I didn’t know you would get that many responses that quick. Also there is a paper tag on the radiator from a service in the 40’s so I’m sure that the trans and other parts are original as the car only has 31k miles. Thanks again, Robby."

Re: Seeking Info on a 1939 Tudor Sedan
 

Tell your friend he owes some pictures of the car for all the help. :)

Re: Seeking Info on a 1939 Tudor Sedan
 

YA!... we gotta see / hear more about this car now!! .... ask him to join the Forum.... he’ll get all the knowledge of the entire group..... Mark

Re: Seeking Info on a 1939 Tudor Sedan
 

Not only ask him to join this forum , but tell him to join the Early Ford V-8 Club of America(www.earlyfordv8.org) and have him buy the V-8 Club's 38-39 book. He will learn a lot about his car that he has become the caretaker of from grandpa. A very lucky guy.

Re: Seeking Info on a 1939 Tudor Sedan
 

I'll tell him guys!

Re: Seeking Info on a 1939 Tudor Sedan
 

For Stretch Cab and flatford8..as you requested...sorry, I don't know how to make 'em bigger...

Re: Seeking Info on a 1939 Tudor Sedan
 

https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/attac...0&d=1613405758

https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/attac...1&d=1613405784

https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/attac...8&d=1613405801

Re: Seeking Info on a 1939 Tudor Sedan
 

What a great old Ford to start restoration on !Looks to be pretty much all there and not in bad shape !Tell your friend goodluck with it and make Grandpa proud !