I just cleaned up the VIN plate on my '46 Ford and it only has 3 numbers. Is there a site where i can research what they mean?
Your reference to "Vin Plate" confuses me. There is a body number plate. The VIN (actually the serial number) should be stamped into the top of the left frame rail. Probably a prefix and about a 7 digit number. It will probably have a star before and after the number. Post the question on earlyfordv8.org for confirmation on what the number should look like (I am used to the older cars and half guessing). Charlie Stephens
Im refering to the plate thats mounted on the top left side of the firewall. 3 digits stamped in the top left of the tag. Now you got me all confused, and i pray to god i dont need the #s from the frame. Cuz the frame is probably a bridge in china by now.
Try posting the question on the restorer sight, earlyfordv8.org for confirmation. I think you will find I am right. Too bad about the frame where the number was located. Charlie Stephens
No early Ford car or pickup after the introduction had a 1-2-3-4-5-6-7 VIN number aftere those were used in 1932. Your 46 should have a five-pointed star 99A dash(-) production sequence number and another five-pointed star. BUT these true VIN numbers would have been on the original frame in 3 places, the bellhousing of the original transmission, and if required by the state of sale, the same number stamped into the engine(block top deck ideally buy I've seen them stamped into the intake manifold too, HA).
You are a bit hosed. The #'s are on the frame. Maybe you can get the #'s off a junker and put them on yours? But thats illegal, isn't it? Doesn't your state issue #'s for constructed vehicles?
There was no "vin" until the 50's. So the amount of numbers varies with mfg. It comfuses most DMV workers as much as the general public. Was the car ever registered under those numbers? Even if not it depends on what the local DMV is looking for. Ga. has no title so when I moved to Fl. I had to get one. DMV didnt care what the number was or what tag it was on as long as they could look at something. Varies from state to state. They thought all cars have a frame number, not a 36 chevy.But the tag from the vet on the firewall worked for them.
Any stamping on the patent plate should be letters designating the assembly plant, I think, not even numbers. I think your actual number should look like *699A-lots of numbers*, range of serial number for '46 easy to locate. Number is engine number stamped also on frame. Body has no legal identity attached, is not the car at all in early practice, the chassis is the car legally. The Chinese can register their bridge as a '46 Ford now. I think you need to show (and/or fabricate) a few receipts for body and big parts, just get an assigned number plate from state.
Actually the prefix would be 699C for a half-ton, 699Y for 3/4 ton, and 699T for 1 ton and larger...V8's of course. Followed by 6 digit serial number (said he's looking for a truck sn) If it was a 6 cyl truck the prefix would be 1GC, 1GY or 1GT followed by 6 digits
Heres the thing when it comes to getting a new #. According to the man at the DMV hotline if you've made your own frame then you will have to register it as a new custom. So say i was going to register this year, The registration would read "2009 custom" Even though i built it last season, it goes by date of registration. Now being a "2009 custom" I would have to abide by all of the same standards as a new vehicle would, minus airbags and smog. Doing this i would need have all the pollution stuff that the engine had on it when it was new. Seeing i am running a 454 out of an '86 truck i would need a smog pump, factory manifolds, a charcoal canister, and a catylitic converter. Now wheres the fun in that? I have no problem pulling a fast one on the state, they do it to me enough. I just dont want to try it, then get flagged on the system and be screwed. Sometimes here in NY they want a rubbing of the #s, if i can track down the bellhousing i could grab em, but i am not going to use it in my truck. So technically i'de have the original #s, but they wouldn't be on my truck, there in lies more confusion.
Didn't see it was a truck. I bet there are different categories for "new custom" and "old truck with lost title"...
From the above input, it sounds like the 46 truck frame will be stamped somewhere on the left frame rail. The location of the stamping isn't under the cab, like some model A Fords is it? I, too, have been looking for the stamped number on my '46 Ford truck for a while to make sure it agrees with the number on the title, but I can't find the stamping. It would be helpful if someone could give the exact location of the stamped numbers on the frame. I already tried Ford Barn, but nobody responded specific to '46 Ford trucks.
Matter solved. I went to the DMV with these 3 digits and they told me if i get a police officer to verify the #s then they will register it. So i called the local PD and they sent a cruiser over, verified that those are the #s, then filed a report. Now all i have to do is take a copy of the report, a rubbing of the tag, and a bill of sale from the previous owner to the DMV and i can get this registered as a historical vehicle. You and i both know that this most likely isnt the correct #, but i went by the book and am now in the clear.
"old truck with lost title" still needs to be trailered/towed to an inspection station to get verified. All receipts must be present. Its just like registering a salvage vehicle. Once again, with the custom frame it would need to be as a "new custom"
3 numbers sounds more like a code than a vin #. Even the 1948 Pirsch Firetruck that I used to drive had a 4 # vin. And I think those were a bit rarer than your ford.
I know this is a little late, but the trucks had a tag on the inside of the glove box door with the "VIN" on it. They are commonly missing though since they are just screwed in.
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