1940 Vin
- Thread starter dderensis
- Start date
roadster36
BANNED
I have seen this before. There is mention of this in the V8 club book for '34. Different factories and even different people in each factory stamped the numbers differently. Some added the prefix- some did not. The lady who did my paperwork actually copied the page from the book that discusses this issue. My suggestion is to try another person or office who is more familiar with the process.
flatmotor40
Well-known member
always a problem with DMV they think they know everything but most do not even know what the cars look like just read their paperwork.
George/Maine
Well-known member
These car and trucks been around for some time now and maybe had a frame change.They ususly had a star first and last.Get a set of stamps with star or what i used was a v and indexed it 5 times and 1/4" number stamps and stamp it. *18 xxxxx*
TerryOH
Well-known member
there should also be a star before the 18 and a star after the serial number, but the titles do not include these. The 18 is not part of the serial number it is an indication of the 85HP engine in a Ford. For 1940 the 60HP vehicles start *54 and the Merc starts with *99A The next seven numbers are the serial number. Many times the prefix is located about and inch in front of the serial number with some space between. The prefix number is typically only stamped at the location above the steering box, if your looking at the number in another location it may not have the prefix.
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Milt/Las Vegas
Senior Member
I've heard that a few had a P in front of the serial number that meant it had a Merc engine.Anyone have any info on that?
Charlie Stephens
Well-known member
In my opinion work the problem with the DMV regarding the missing "18". Is there a number on the transmission with the "18"? Don't restamp anything or you will raise questions (I have heard it is a felony to change a VIN).
Charlie Stephens
Charlie Stephens
Well-known member
Another thought. Where on the frame are you finding the numbers? The number by the steering should have the "18". The other two numbers on top of the left frame rail under the body should not have the "18" (assuming it is like the 1932, I could be wrong). If you are looking at the two numbers under the body post that and someone will direct you to documentation about the "18" not being used under the body.
Charlie Stephens
Charlie Stephens
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Bruce Lancaster
Member Emeritus
The 18 is part of the serial as used by Ford...it is occasionally not used on the frame front, and I think is never on the two numbers father back. This has parallels in modern number...cars with the modern numbers frequently use the serial only on the secondary stampings, with all the prefixes only on the main tag.
Ford considered the number on the bellhousing the primary number, frame stampings, even the main one up front, were secondary and went on the car only when the factory serialed engine to be used arrived at the frame.
I think the reason it could be left off is that there was no possibility of confusion on any '32-48 type Ford...In some years, there were ONLY Model 18s, in the years with other engines, like 1940, the sequence numbers were very radically different (by many millions) and so the car could not possibly have a 99 or 54 model number with the given serial. I hope you have original trans...that is most convincing thing. But if you have '40 Ford #Xmillion, no other '40 could have that number.
Ford considered the number on the bellhousing the primary number, frame stampings, even the main one up front, were secondary and went on the car only when the factory serialed engine to be used arrived at the frame.
I think the reason it could be left off is that there was no possibility of confusion on any '32-48 type Ford...In some years, there were ONLY Model 18s, in the years with other engines, like 1940, the sequence numbers were very radically different (by many millions) and so the car could not possibly have a 99 or 54 model number with the given serial. I hope you have original trans...that is most convincing thing. But if you have '40 Ford #Xmillion, no other '40 could have that number.
George/Maine
Well-known member
I bought my 39 and the guy that sold me the car didn't know were the # was.Got i for $500 less.It had a bad frame when the body was off i found the # near the 3 rivits at crossmember.The old regestion there was no prefix.I found a good 35 frame and the number was at the steering box.So for future use i ground off the 35 number.You don,t want to use another number.So i stamped it at the 3 rivits like to 39 about 24 inches apart.What i think the frame has been changed.As for the trans number are you realy going to remove the floor.Give them what they want.