My 49' Ford has a vin# on title but cannot find a # under hood that matches. I think there is a patent plate but that # does'nt match. Will this be a problem if I sell vehicle?
Best reference I know is the 1949-50-51 Ford Book, published by the Early Ford V-8 Club of America. Hopefully it's still in print.
There is stamped numbers on the cowl that indicate year,model,color,ECT but on the right side of the firewall there is a rivited plate that has the vinn# on it
The serial number is also stamped on the passenger side of the frame. You can buy a new patent tag from Dennis Carpenter and have your local trophy shop stamp your VIN/serial number and remount it on the firewall. Don't confuse the cowl number with the serial number, they're not the same.
I can clear this up for you real quick. If the patent plate # doesn't match , then your title doesn't match the car, the end. Michigan doesn't check the vin against the title, so getting registration is not a problem. The PO must not have had a title for it and just bought a 'historical document' and used that. How do I know this? I bought a car out of Michigan and the title didn't match the VIN, live and learn. I went the extra mile and filed for a lost title when I got the car here in california, I just didn't liek the idea of fooling with VIN plates and whatnot, and it was only $150 to get the whole thing straightened out.