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Old 12-23-2010, 07:40 PM   #1
raceron1120
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Default VIN/Serial # Location - '47 Ford

My son picked up a '47 Super Deluxe awhile back and somehow it ended up in my barn... Anyhow, it's a project car, seems nearly complete except a few minor pieces, and also appears original. Plans are to get it running and roadworthy while keeping it as close to stock/original as possible, and have some fun with it.

He got it with a bill of sale but no title and no indication of serial # or VIN.

Neither of us are very familiar with these cars.

So the question I have is - where is the VIN or serial # located on these cars?

I've looked around and don't see it anyplace.

Thanks.
Ron

Last edited by raceron1120; 03-29-2016 at 02:35 PM.
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Old 12-23-2010, 08:20 PM   #2
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Default Re: VIN/Serial # Location - '47 Ford

the serial # is on the top of driver side frame anywhere from the firewall foward usually around by the steering box and crossmember,you may need to use a wire brush to clean it
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Old 12-23-2010, 08:23 PM   #3
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Default Re: VIN/Serial # Location - '47 Ford

ron ,its between steering box and radiator frame drivers side of course
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Old 12-23-2010, 08:24 PM   #4
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Default Re: VIN/Serial # Location - '47 Ford

it should be on the driver side frame rail next to the crossmember.
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Old 12-23-2010, 08:34 PM   #5
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Default Re: VIN/Serial # Location - '47 Ford

Thanks guys, that's what I wanted to know. I'll check it out over the weekend.
Ron
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Old 03-29-2016, 03:09 PM   #6
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Default Re: VIN/Serial # Location - '47 Ford

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Quote:
Originally Posted by 1oldtimer View Post
it should be on the driver side frame rail next to the crossmember.
Quote:
Originally Posted by raceron1120 View Post
Thanks guys, that's what I wanted to know. I'll check it out over the weekend.
Ron
Well. . . the "next weekend" only took a few years to get here! wow life sure gets in the way sometimes. I didn't expect to take so long to get back to it but the '47 Ford sits quietly in its stall in the new polebarn I built since last doing anything with it.

But to business at hand, I still have not located the VIN on this car.

And to 1oldtimer - thanks much for the photo. That frame section on yours is close to what mine looks like but I had to pull the inner fender away from the frame in order to see it. I cleaned off crud down to shiny steel. But no VIN is stamped there. I have cleaned most of the top of the rail from the front Xmember to the steer gearbox, nothing but shiny steel the entire length. I haven't yet gone forward from the Xmember to bumper end of the frame. Might it be there?

The frame looks original and undamaged, just had some rust on it but not much more than normal surface rust so and very unlikely to have completely corroded any #s.

I haven't pulled the floor plate yet to see if a number is on the trans/bell hsng but will do so. But since they can be switched out I have learned that some states will not accept those numbers as a valid VIN; the VIN must be stamped into the frame. I'd hate to have to pull the body off in order to find the VIN.

Does anyone know where else I might locate it? thanks!
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Old 03-29-2016, 03:58 PM   #7
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Default Re: VIN/Serial # Location - '47 Ford

You probably don't need to pull the floor...look at the center front, where toe board goes uphill to firewall. You should see an oval punch-out that can be bent out of the way to reveal the trans number, which was actually the master number.
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Old 03-29-2016, 04:12 PM   #8
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Default Re: VIN/Serial # Location - '47 Ford

The numbers are there, it is common for folks to look and look and swear up and down they are not there and finally find them. I have several bare frames that I thought I would never get the numbers off of! They are there, somewhere between the front crossmember and the firewall on the drivers side. In rare cases you have to resort to chemical warfare.

Take a look a VanPelts side for some additional information. http://www.vanpeltsales.com/FH_web/f...ialnumbers.htm

http://www.vanpeltsales.com/FH_web/1...eardown-13.htm
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Old 03-29-2016, 04:24 PM   #9
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Default Re: VIN/Serial # Location - '47 Ford

Couple of examples if that helps any:
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File Type: jpg 39ford-pic54.jpg (32.6 KB, 37 views)
File Type: jpg AAFrame7.jpg (61.3 KB, 38 views)
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Old 03-29-2016, 04:25 PM   #10
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Default Re: VIN/Serial # Location - '47 Ford

yes I looked at VanPelts site previously, it helped a lot. And yes it looks like I will have to scrub a bit more, taking the scotchbrite all the way under the firewall as far as I can reach, and up to the frame horn if necessary.

BTW, the trans # should be easy to find but as I stated, some states will not accept it when verifying VINs, as the trans can be replaced whereas a frame usually isn't.

Thanks!
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Old 03-29-2016, 04:26 PM   #11
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Default Re: VIN/Serial # Location - '47 Ford

Yep.
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Old 03-29-2016, 04:26 PM   #12
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Default Re: VIN/Serial # Location - '47 Ford

Quote:
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Couple of examples if that helps any:
Yes those photos help, thanks.
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Old 03-29-2016, 05:27 PM   #13
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Default Re: VIN/Serial # Location - '47 Ford

I feel your pain! I have yet to find the VIN on my 48's frame either! I did find the VIN that matched the one on my title on the transmission though. I called it good enough.
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Old 03-29-2016, 06:44 PM   #14
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Default Re: VIN/Serial # Location - '47 Ford

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I feel your pain! I have yet to find the VIN on my 48's frame either! I did find the VIN that matched the one on my title on the transmission though. I called it good enough.
Quitter!
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Old 03-29-2016, 07:24 PM   #15
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Default Re: VIN/Serial # Location - '47 Ford

Look in front of the front crossmember, drivers side, I'm working on one now, and that's where it is stamped.
On the main frame rail.
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Old 03-29-2016, 07:35 PM   #16
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Default Re: VIN/Serial # Location - '47 Ford

On the 39 I used to own, the number was stamped in well enough, but......the factory then proceeded to run the hydraulic brake line right smack dab over the numbers. I never found them until I'd stripped down the chassis and removed the brake line. Cleaned off the rust and dirt, and there it was.
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Old 03-29-2016, 07:43 PM   #17
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Default Re: VIN/Serial # Location - '47 Ford

I just had the nose off my 48 and the numbers were there. Look toward the front - that's where mine was.
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Old 03-30-2016, 02:50 PM   #18
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Default Re: VIN/Serial # Location - '47 Ford

Thanks again to all for the help. I now have more places to clean the rust off the frame to check, wow such a scavenger hunt. Next week's project, or so I hope.
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