Go Back   The Ford Barn > General Discussion > Model A (1928-31)

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)

Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
Old 05-25-2020, 03:12 PM   #1
dlfrisch
Senior Member
 
dlfrisch's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2014
Location: Florida - 32128
Posts: 416
Default Factory VIN - ID Numbers

I have the main body off of the frame - soda (sanded) and primed. I can’t find any manufacturers numbers / letters on the frame or cross members.
dlfrisch is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-25-2020, 03:17 PM   #2
Dean Lemoine
Senior Member
 
Dean Lemoine's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2018
Location: Dahlonega, Ga
Posts: 251
Default Re: Factory VIN - ID Numbers

The serial number should be stamped on the top of the left frame rail, about where the front of the cowl is mounted.
Dean Lemoine is offline   Reply With Quote
Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)
Old 05-25-2020, 03:42 PM   #3
Gary WA
Senior Member
 
Gary WA's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Clinton,WA/Whidbey Island
Posts: 4,088
Default Re: Factory VIN - ID Numbers

thiswork
Attached Images
File Type: jpg engineno.jpg (55.0 KB, 113 views)
__________________
www.whidbeymodelaclub.com
Gary WA is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-25-2020, 06:37 PM   #4
rotorwrench
Senior Member
 
rotorwrench's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: San Antonio, Texas
Posts: 16,367
Default Re: Factory VIN - ID Numbers

The characters Ford used are relatively large at 1/4". They always begin and end with a star character on model As. They are sometimes rather shallow stampings but can generally be seen as long as the frame hasn't been pebbled with corrosion. Blasting tends to make them less visible than sanding with fine paper. I usually find them before cleaning the frame. Paint can fill them in so that they are barely visible.

If they aren't in the spot previously posted, then it's doubtful you will find them anywhere else. Ford did offer replacement frames back in the day and they didn't have any numbers. Dealers were supposed to stamp them with the KR Wilson stamp sets.

If you do happen to find them, I'd suggest making a pencil rubbing on paper. Photographs wont't hurt but some DMVs only accept the rubbing for titling purposes. If it's already titled then it should be no problem until the next owner comes along.
rotorwrench is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-25-2020, 07:34 PM   #5
Bill G
Senior Member
 
Bill G's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2017
Location: Walla Walla, WA
Posts: 1,044
Default Re: Factory VIN - ID Numbers

Mine were not stamped very firmly into the steel, and I had to really rub a bunch before it came clear. Also, mine were probably done one day by someone who may have had a bad day for one reason or another. They were unevenly spaced and uneven top to bottom. Maybe the guy who stamped the frame was new on the job. The car was assembled in the Twin Cities plant.
Bill G is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-26-2020, 12:07 PM   #6
dlfrisch
Senior Member
 
dlfrisch's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2014
Location: Florida - 32128
Posts: 416
Default Re: Factory VIN - ID Numbers

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)
Good information - thank’s
dlfrisch is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-26-2020, 06:29 PM   #7
CWPASADENA
Senior Member
 
CWPASADENA's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2010
Location: PASADENA, CA
Posts: 1,881
Default Re: Factory VIN - ID Numbers

While all frames were supposed to be stamped at the factory, some did not get stamped so if you have a frame with no numbers, it still may be original to that car.

Chris W
CWPASADENA is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-26-2020, 07:22 PM   #8
chrs1961815
Senior Member
 
chrs1961815's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2018
Location: Spring Grove, Illinois
Posts: 1,371
Default Re: Factory VIN - ID Numbers

Also, if I remember right, some plants did not stamp their frames.
__________________
"The more things change, the more they stay the same."
chrs1961815 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-26-2020, 08:12 PM   #9
Mulletwagon
Senior Member
 
Mulletwagon's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2019
Location: Florida Panhandle
Posts: 585
Default Re: Factory VIN - ID Numbers

It has been said cars made in Canada were not stamped - don't know. Some may disagree, but while you have it apart, and if it is titled, might stamp on the numbers. In a perfect world, the numbers on the frame, engine, and title should all agree. Again, if already titled (in your name), might also consider restamping the engine if the number is not the same as the title. This will simplify title transfer if eventually selling to a buyer out of state. Restamping different numbers is something of a touchy subject - but it is legally your car and your call.
Mulletwagon is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-27-2020, 05:34 PM   #10
redmodelt
Senior Member
 
redmodelt's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Portland OR
Posts: 6,339
Default Re: Factory VIN - ID Numbers

This is close to what I just saw on one of the crime TV stations, only they said the numbers, being harder stood out after using the acid. While the color of the acid mix he used was about the same, the detective may have used a different acid in the show.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ld4hJmxP9Zk
__________________
I know the voices aren't real but damn they have some good ideas!
redmodelt is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-27-2020, 06:29 PM   #11
Dick Carne
Senior Member
 
Dick Carne's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Fayetteville, Georgia
Posts: 467
Default Re: Factory VIN - ID Numbers

I have restored a few Model A's over the years, mostly '28-'29 models, and each of these had serial numbers stamped on the left frame rail; however, my current project is a '31 Cabriolet and it did not have a stamping on the frame. I purchased this car from the son of the second owner, who purchased the car in 1936 (and no indication of any frame swaps or repairs were evident upon disassembly), leading me to conclude that it was never stamped at the factory. I have a friend who is also building a '30 model, and it does not appear to have ever been stamped either. Hope this helps.
Dick Carne is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-28-2020, 10:33 AM   #12
Mike V. Florida
Senior Member
 
Mike V. Florida's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2010
Location: South Florida
Posts: 14,054
Send a message via AIM to Mike V. Florida
Default Re: Factory VIN - ID Numbers

Quote:
Originally Posted by Mulletwagon View Post
It has been said cars made in Canada were not stamped - don't know. Some may disagree, but while you have it apart, and if it is titled, might stamp on the numbers. In a perfect world, the numbers on the frame, engine, and title should all agree. Again, if already titled (in your name), might also consider restamping the engine if the number is not the same as the title. This will simplify title transfer if eventually selling to a buyer out of state. Restamping different numbers is something of a touchy subject - but it is legally your car and your call.
All engines were assembled constructed, tested and
numbered at the Ford Motor Company of Canada, Ltd plant
in Windsor, Ontario. Engines and frames were stamped with
matching numbers through late 1928. Thereafter, frames
were no longer stamped with the engine number. (Engine
numbers on early frames were stamped on the left hand
side, same as USA, directly below the cowl area and are not
visible unless the body is removed.)
__________________
What's right about America is that although we have a mess of problems, we have great capacity - intellect and resources - to do some thing about them. - Henry Ford II
Mike V. Florida is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-28-2020, 12:19 PM   #13
Ted Duke
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Mar 2012
Location: Fairfield, Virginia
Posts: 615
Default Re: Factory VIN - ID Numbers

We could find no numbers on my 1929 Roadster PU frame. Since then it has been sandblasted and painted.
Ted Duke is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-28-2020, 05:58 PM   #14
rotorwrench
Senior Member
 
rotorwrench's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: San Antonio, Texas
Posts: 16,367
Default Re: Factory VIN - ID Numbers

Canadian model As certainly could have made it over the border. The engine numbers always had "C" as the first character and generally "A" was always second but after that, there can be any number of alphabet characters. This site link has a listing.
https://www.mafcgb.org.uk/engine-cha...ers-explained/

If the engine is gone or replaced then all a person has is characteristics of the chassis to go by. Bodies are easily swapped around as long as the radiator mounts fit with the model year of the body. No number leaves it wide open for paperwork problems here in the US. I'm not sure if Canadians experience difficulties of this nature or not.

If I purchased a Canadian one with an engine number consistent with the characteristics of the car date wise then I would stamp the frame to match. At least there would be some ID on the car besides the engine.

Last edited by rotorwrench; 05-28-2020 at 06:03 PM.
rotorwrench is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off

Forum Jump

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)


All times are GMT -5. The time now is 07:44 AM.