1940 Ford Vin numbers

[392 Hemi]

I was wondering if the vin numbers that are stamped on the 40 Ford frame rails indicate what type of vehicle it is (coupe, 2dr sedan,4dr sedan).

Thanks

[Gumpy]

I don't think so,,,,but the gussets on the side of the frame will tell you if its a pickup or passenger car...if they are missing it's a pick-up

[Milt/Las Vegas]

Convertibles have an extra set of holes for the cowl mounts,and are heavier gauge.

[deuce lover]

Ford's vin numbers (at least up to 1948 that I know of)offer no clue as to what body style it was.At least pass cars I think.Others will chime in I am sure.

[Mike in AZ]

frame numbers indicate year of manufacture, i believe....if there's a plate on the firewall, that might indicate body style.....Mike

[joel]

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As has been stated, P/U and convt frames are different; coupe,tudor and 4 drs are all the same. i don't know about Sta.wagon.

[Dale Fairfax]

Those numbers are sequential serial numbers within a model (No.) run. They have no significance as to the identification of the car. The numbers were assigned as the engine/ transmission assy was produced in the Rouge engine plant. Those assemblies were shipped out to the various assembly plants around the country. At the point where the engine/transmission was mated to a chassis on the final assembly line that number was read and stamped into the frame. The only piece of info you can glean from a Ford serial number is an approximate date of assembly-and that's only because records exist as to start and finish of a model run.

[kusdomh]

i am wondering if the 40 ford convertibles Vin number differs from the passenger car vins... can anyone help me thanks tommy

[V8COOPMAN]

Originally Posted by Dale Fairfax

Those numbers are sequential serial numbers within a model (No.) run. They have no significance as to the identification of the car. The numbers were assigned as the engine/ transmission assy was produced in the Rouge engine plant. Those assemblies were shipped out to the various assembly plants around the country. At the point where the engine/transmission was mated to a chassis on the final assembly line that number was read and stamped into the frame. The only piece of info you can glean from a Ford serial number is an approximate date of assembly-and that's only because records exist as to start and finish of a model run.

They DO NOT differ with regard to a convertible. READ and UNDERSTAND very carefully what Dale has written directly ABOVE. Engine / transmission ASSEMBLIES were stamped with sequential numbers when manufactured. When ANY engine was subsequently installed in ANY chassis, that assembly's number was stamped on the car's chassis. DD

[Joe Immler]

Van Pelt Sales has a good article on this. http://www.vanpeltsales.com/FH_web/f...ialnumbers.htm
The number does not appear to tell what model the car is.

[Joe Immler]

Just noticed I screwed up the address. Try this:
http://www.vanpeltsales.com/FH_web/f...ialnumbers.htm

[Kube]

Originally Posted by 392 Hemi

I was wondering if the vin numbers that are stamped on the 40 Ford frame rails indicate what type of vehicle it is (coupe, 2dr sedan,4dr sedan).

Thanks

Nope.

[Kube]

Originally Posted by Milt/Las Vegas

Convertibles have an extra set of holes for the cowl mounts,and are heavier gauge.

Those holes are in all frames. And, only the side rails are heavier gauge on the open cars vs. closed cars.

[Kube]

Originally Posted by joel

As has been stated, P/U and convt frames are different; coupe,tudor and 4 drs are all the same. i don't know about Sta.wagon.

The only difference between a pickup frame and passenger car frame is the absence of the "outriggers" on the PU frame. Other than that, they are identical to one another.

add Feb. 26: I have been informed that the pickup frame is also a heavier gauge. Not being anything close to an expert on the PU's I will have to defer to Larry... He knows his stuff when it comes to the trucks. i keep learning...

[Kube]

Originally Posted by kusdomh

i am wondering if the 40 ford convertibles Vin number differs from the passenger car vins... can anyone help me thanks tommy

Nope. However, there was a body number plate on the firewall that indicated the sequential order when the body was built.

[40larry]

Mike:
The pickup, convertible and wagon frame has a heavier gauge central x member than the other closed body passenger cars. You can tell this easily by looking at the two cone shaped holes for the anti-chatter rods. On the thinner closed car frames these holes use an added doubler plate and on the heavier frames these holes are only a single thickness.............Larry

[Kube]

Originally Posted by 40larry

Mike:
The pickup, convertible and wagon frame has a heavier gauge central x member than the other closed body passenger cars. You can tell this easily by looking at the two cone shaped holes for the anti-chatter rods. On the thinner closed car frames these holes use an added doubler plate and on the heavier frames these holes are only a single thickness.............Larry

Larry, I should have been more definitive in my previous post. I do agree with you that the convertible and wagon frames are heavier gauge through the "X" member. I think of that as part of the side rail.
The welded "pad" at the anti-chatter rod attaching point was welded to all frames beginning in mid 1939.
My personal experience has borne this out on numerous convertible frames. As you know, I am just recently getting my feet wet on the pick up trucks.
The wagons I have played with also had those pads welded in place. The only exception I've encountered was a very early 39 wagon.... VERY early.

[Milt/Las Vegas]

Originally Posted by Kube

Nope. However, there was a body number plate on the firewall that indicated the sequential order when the body was built.

I've never seen a body number plate with a sequential number on any 40 firewall I've looked at.The only plate that I've seen has patent numbers only.

[TJ]

Originally Posted by Milt/Las Vegas

I've never seen a body number plate with a sequential number on any 40 firewall I've looked at.The only plate that I've seen has patent numbers only.

I think he was talking about convertibles and wagons only.

[swoopNZ]

I do know that on 1939 models, convertibles and pickups have about 3 circular cut-outs along each side of the rear diagonal chassis sections.
Passenger vehicle chassis do not have this feature.