ID Number on my Model T - Need help

A

AV8-Rider

Junior Member
I bought an old Model T Touring 1927 a couple of years ago.
According to previous owners this car was restored in 1951 and Hopped Up with the drivetrain and a V860 from a 1940 Pick Up, in 1953.
All took place in Redwood City, California.

I live in Norway europe and over here we face some quite strickt regulations regarding registering old cars, especially imported ones.

When I bought the car I got an original title and all seemed oK to me. Then when I try to register I got a problem.

The case is that the T's title show a chassie(VIN) nr. that is NOT an original T number.
It has 6 digits and 2 letters. 22????AL

Norwegian goverment want fees according to an imported cars age. Due to this chassie nr. they can not legaly verify that this is an original Model T of 1927 and not a car just put together by scrap parts sometime in history.
My title is issued in 2001 and this vcar is then by definition a Model year 2001 until otherwise proven.

Of course the DMV man knows this is an old car, but they will never accept what they suspect to be a "clone" of a T due to the required fees.


They claim that ALL old Fords had a chassie # stamped on the frame rails. I can not find any old T # on the frame.
I also know from owning a lot of model A cars/frames over the years that few of them if any had #'s stamped on the rail.

Can anyone of you on here provide me of a reliable source of information for ID of T Frames. Did all of them have ID #'s??

I would also be glad if anyone know of a suitable way of contacting DMV in California. I know of their website but navigating around there is not easy from over here.
What DMV possibly could provide me is some information on where and when this VIN # was issued to the car and what kind of information their files may contain.
Perhaps it was given this numer in the 50's. If this could be proven it would help out tremendeously.

Appreciate any help or advice.

Paul
Skjeberg, Norway.

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TTouring1.jpg
 
Ford started numbering frames during late 1925, so yours should have a number on frame. I believe it is in the general area of the flat floorboard...a good research point is the Model T encyclopedia on the MTFCA site:

http://www.mtfca.com/encyclo/intro.htm

See both serial and chassis pages...I think someone on HAMB posted pics of where the numbers are found on the complete car.
 
I suspect that the number you have found is some kind of state issued number put on car because its original title did not exist. Remember we here have 50 different sets of motor vehicle law and that all the states (I think) have procedures for issuing a serial number and plate to a car that has no paperwork or has a missing number.
T's made before yours had only an engine number...nothing on frame at all.
 
That is a cute looking Hot Rod (assembled car) I see the 26/27 body.The top does not look original T style and of course the V8 wheels and engine are not. Our title system in Texas would call it an assembled car.
If you do have the correct 26/27 T frame under the body, it should have a serial number stamped on the frame under the front passenger floor board. (very near where the dash board meets the frame. I hear that some are on the driver side near the hand brake. If you have an earlier frame, it probably will not have a number.
The car looks like it would be fun to drive around in, but not with fellow Model T folks as we would be to slow.
 
The 26-27 Frame has longer rear crossmember than earlier, with protruding ends several inches wider than main frame to meet new rear body mounts...look for that before you start digging for a number.
 
Pop up the front floorboards. The number should be stamped on the passenger side frame rail right on top. It will be between the firewall and the front of the front seat. That is of course if it is a late 25 or later frame. Good Luck.
 
Frame stamping began Dec 23, 1925......here is what the frame stamp should look like, usually on the top passenger rail, some are found on the driver's top rail. The # stamped matched the engine number installed at the factory. Good luck.
 

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Thanks guys.

Bruce. We meet here aswell and not only on the HAMB. My frame has the protruding ends. I'll be all over that floorboard ASAP.

Paul
 
Hi again guys.
Back from the garage. Floorboard is out and yes it did have an original VIN.
8 digits and starting with 145XXXXX
From the list here: http://www.mtfca.com/encyclo/sernos.htm
it is produced in November 1926.
Thanks a lot for your help. My number is just as wavy as your pic tmodelman. They did not bother to align the digits. The second digit, 4, is made by a stamp tool considerably larger that the rest. Around twice the height.
Have to remember this was the 1920's

Again thanks a lot for your help all of you....and yes it is fun to drive. You can call it a hot rod but is sure ain't HOT. The 60Hp is running strong but this ain't no Highway Cruiser and no trafic light winner.
It has an overall patina to die for. I love it.


Paul
 
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