Chassis number?

[Mopar Mick]

I have a 1940 2 door Chrysler Coupe.

Can anyone please tell me where to find my chassis number?

Many thanks.

Mick.

[greg g]

There may be a stamped in copy of the original engine number on the frame behind the driver's side rear wheel. But Chrysler did not number individual chassis other than that.

What are you trying to do that you need a chassis number for??

In general there are three numbers on a Chrysler product from the 30 till early 60's.

the engine number on a boss above the gennerator in your cas it should start with a C 25 or C 26 depending on model (say windsor vs New Yorker) if the engine is original tot he car, the body number which is on a tag on the firewall, and the serial number (which is how Chrysler Id's the assembled car) on a tag on one of the A pillars.

[Mopar Mick]

Greg, to get my Chrysler registered, the "Chassis number" must match the number quoted on the "Import Approval Documents".

According to the "Import Approval Documents" there is a "Chassis number".

Iv'e just got to find it and make sure it matches.

Mick.

[TodFitch]

Greg, to get my Chrysler registered, the "Chassis number" must match the number quoted on the "Import Approval Documents".

According to the "Import Approval Documents" there is a "Chassis number".

Iv'e just got to find it and make sure it matches.

Mick.

If you get a metal number stamping set from your local machinery supply company it might be easier to find the "chassis number".

[Plymouthy Adams]

just what is the number of the document..as there are a couple numbers on the car..this will let us know if you are looking for engine number or a body number..original engine number is found on the left frame rail at the tip up at the rear axle..so even if your engine is changed and it was originally engine number registered..this should match your documentation

[Mopar Mick]

O.K. the serial number is C25ACR-1603

The vin/chassis number is 7638157

This is according to the "import approval documentation".

If I can't locate this chassis number, as has been suggested I may have to "find" a chassis number stamped into the chassis rails.

Mick.

[greg g]

the c 25 number is the engine number ad the vin chassis number looks to be the serial number. Do they argree whit what is on the car?? Loks like some clerk may have put them in the wrong boxes.

The number you "find" on the frame should be if the engie is original the same as the

C25A number

[Mopar Mick]

We certainly did.

A friend suggested to me that maybe everything was opposite to what was written.

Ie, chassis number may be the serial number and vise versa.

Just thought I would double check.

Many thanks to all for your help.

Mick.

[Andydodge]

Mick......& US members.........I'll give some details of what both my cars have, should have & might have which may or may not help...........I have had the 1940 Dodge Sedan since 1971, I purchased it registered, what you guys in the US would call tagged & licenced.......it was stock, an original car, built in Oz & was still in more or less daily use.

Its a D15D model, which from what I have been able to work out is a Canadian sourced, built in Oz by T J Richards car. It has on the Oz passenger side upper firewall in front of the wiper, under the hood, the letters "D15D" with numbers "475" beside that hand stamped into the firewall. Beside these numbers and letters is a T J Richards brass plate 1" x 3" in size with "King Of The Road" embossed onto this plate and the words "Body No. H 92255 " (see the attached chromed plate also another original brass plate from a car that I wrecked & used for parts many yrs ago). Note that this body number is NOT used by the state registration department for registration(titling & licencing)......from my registration papers the following details are noted.......the year, make & shape, the engine number and VIN/Chassis number.....which in my 1940 Dodges case is 3938637. This number is correct from what I understand and have read in both US and Oz workshop manuals jto indicate a 1940 Dodge "Serial Number". I have NOT found this number myself either on a plate on the body or stamped into the chassis anywhere.

[Andydodge]

OOPPS......posted before I wanted to........

I have not found the serial number or what is been determined to be the Chassis number by the state registration authorities anywhere on the chassis as although the car is a hotrod I have never taken the body off the chassis.....so it might be there waiting for me........

My other car the 1941 Plymouth Coupe is a RHD car built in Sth Africa.........it does have the Serial Number, # "15043851" on a metal plate screwed onto the RHD inside drivers pillar or door hinge post. It also has the plymouth Firewall tag on the US drivers side firewall with # P11 1063 ASC" and has engine number "P11 168737".....both these numbers indicate a 1941 Plymouth body and engine.

Now the weird thing with this car is whilst the serial number plate was easily identified and given to the Rego authorites they chose to use the firewall tag, "P11 1063 ASC" as the Vin/Chassis number on the rego papers.......at least they got the engine number correct for that section.....

So.......Mike.......that VIN/Chassis number that you have on the paperwork would appear to be the correct "serial" number as issued by Chrysler in the US..........it sounds like you don't have the body plate on the door post......I'd either get a "replacement" plate........nudge, nudge, wink, wink..........or hopefully find it on the chassis.........also nudge, nudge........

Anyway I hope this has helped to muddy and confuse the waters ........btw did you notice the engine capacity......I TOLD them it was 201 cubes.........lol.........they couldn't even leave that alone, changing it to metric!!.......see attached pic........regards.....andyd

[Mopar Mick]

Andy, I have the body plate on the door post.

It matches my "import approval document".

It is my understanding that this is a "serial number".

I am trying to find the "chassis number".

As far as I'm concerned it should be a number "stamped into the chassis rail".

I posed the question on here thinking I may find someone who has a Chrysler that has the body seperated form the chassis and "knows" where the chassis number is stamped.

Mick.

[greg g]

did you look on the frame behind the left rear wheel?? you may have to look with a wire wheel, and very bright light. It shold match the number on the engine block assuming the engine is original to the vehicle.

[Plymouthy Adams]

and, if the engine is not origial to the chassis..even better the chassis # may be properly identified on the registration..

[TodFitch]

and, if the engine is not origial to the chassis..even better the chassis # may be properly identified on the registration..

He's got the "import approval document" with the serial number on it that matches the serial number on the door post.

The problem is that he is looking for that on the frame. And he will never find it because it is not there. He might find the original engine number on the left frame rail around the rear axle kick-up. But he won't find the serial number anywhere on the chassis.

If the local Australian authorities are really and truly requiring him to find a non-existent "chassis number" that is matching the serial number it has been suggested that he "find" one using a metal number stamp tool kit.

[Plymouthy Adams]

I could not read his photo of the registration..if he is truly looking for the body number on the frame, I concur..time for a bit of stamping...rough it up..put a bit of corrosive acid to age it and yell ureka..I found it..

[Andydodge]

Tim, that was my Plymouth rego papers, this car even tho its an import, being a RHD Sth African build it never seems to have had any"import" papers, well at least the previous owner to me never had them or knew of them and when I purchased it it was on a concessional, "historic car" registration thru the car club he belonged to in another state, 2000kms away from me. I had it shipped to me and found that it needed a few minor things fixed up for registration(licencing) here in New South Wales. I had to get it checked for roadworthyness by a state licence mechanic, then I fronted the Roads & Traffic Authority(RTA) with all their paperwork........when they saw that it had a body number they decided to use that as the number in the VIN/Chassis number section.......notwithstanding my protestations that there is a "serial" number on this here plate on the side of the door pillar..........so my car has the body number as its VIN/Chassis number........this chassis number thing has been in use in OZ for as long as I know........and probably harks back to the time when Oz cars tended to be made up of chassis imports that then had Oz bodys installed on them.........anyway........thats my story........lol...........andyd

[blucarsdn]

I have ran into the problem of body numbers vs serial numbers being used alternately by various states here in the US... A friend of mine purchased a '39 Plym in Alabama that was sold with a Bill of Sale in lieu of a title.. The number shown on the Bill of Sale was the engine number.. P8-----. The CA DMV would not title and license the car because the numbers were not correct for a '39 Plym...

I was able to help my friend by going to the Standard Catalog of American Cars and copying the page showing the correct location for the serial number on the right front door hinge.

Using this method to identify the '40 Chrysler in question, the SCAC lists the car as being a Series 25 six,... A Royal series with the serial number being on the right front door hinge pillar starting with #7625001, ending 7657487.... Engine number.... left side of block.....starting, C25-1001.

THERE IS NO CHASSIS NUMBER SHOWN IN THE CATALOG...

I would suggest that you get hold of a Standard Catalog of American Cars, 1805-1942, taking same with you to the motor vehicle office.... IT HAS WORKED FOR ME MANY TIMES... Government officials tend to back off when they see things in writing..

For a fee you can also contact Chrysler Historical, giving them the numbers you have via a tracing of the serial number plate, where-as they will send you a copy of the build sheet for your car.

[Mopar Mick]

Many thanks for the replies.

As suggested, I may have to "find" a chassis number on the chassis.

The registration people in the state where I live are obstinate, power crazy, dickheads!

They are not interested in logic or any other "truthful" variation of matters like this.

When inspecting the vehicle for registration the "have to sight a chassis number".

Dosen't matter if it dosen't exist!

Their "good book" says every vehicle has a chassis number!

I previously registered a 1954 Plymouth Cranbrook.

I had removed the original front end and did a complete chassi frame graft.

The new front section of the front end had a "found" chassis number just like the one on the paperwork!

It was smiles all round, everybody was happy.

Looks like history will have to repeat itself.

Mick.

[blucarsdn]

Assuming my best Claude Rains, (Casablanca) pose,... Quoting C.R. I have to say "I am appalled" that TodFitch and others would suggest "finding" a VIN/Chassis number with the aid of a metal stamp set.

Upon reading such statements, Jim B, POC Sec., would be adjusting his belt to square away his britches, while telling everyone that you are suggesting unlawful acts...

Edited August 15, 2011 by blucarsdn

[TodFitch]

Assuming my best Claude Rains, (Casablanca) pose,... Quoting C.R. I have to say "I am appalled" that ...

I guess it could be "googled" but I recall the line to be more like "I'm shocked, shocked to find gambling going on in here..."

[Andydodge]

Reminds me of the time about 35yrs ago when my brother found that the 1936 Chev Panel van he was hotrodding had a 350 Chev small block engine number...........funny what you find.........and the Roads & Traffic Authority never do...........lol........am sure Mick will find the number, just where he's been searching for it.........lol..........andyd

[busycoupe]

Back in the early 70's, before Massachusetts had a title law, I bought a 1966 Honda 305 Superhawk from "Vinnie" in Revere, MA. The engine number had been visibly altered but before I handed over the money I went to the police station where the officer at the desk was kind enough to run the numbers and told me that it was clean. I bought the bike and had no trouble registering it. .. Probably end up in jail today. ...

[B-Watson]

O.K. the serial number is C25ACR-1603

The vin/chassis number is 7638157

This is according to the "import approval documentation".

If I can't locate this chassis number, as has been suggested I may have to "find" a chassis number stamped into the chassis rails.

Mick.

The "serial number" sounds as if it is the body number which is on a tag attached to the firewall.

The chassis number (VIN and serial number amount to the same in North America) was stamped on a plate attached to the right front door hinge post from 1931 through mid-1946.

It is also stamped on the chassis, right side top, just behind the front axle, if memory serves. Or just ahead of it. Another Australian member had an Australian 1940 Royal sedan with imported chassis and body by by Richards. And that was where he found the chassis number on his car.

[B-Watson]

Should also point out the engine number should be on the left side of the frame. Cars with leaf springs up front had the number stamped either on the top or the side of the frame just by the left front spring's rear hanger. Models with coil springs had the number somwhere between that location on the frame and the front axle.

In the 1950's the serial number was stamped on the right side of the frame just around the front hangar for the right rear leaf spring. Some have been found on the side of the frame facing the curb while a few have found it stamped on top of the frame when they removed the body.

With unibody construction, as the cars no longer had a chassis frame the serial number was no stamped on the car. During the 1968 model year things changed and cars had to have the VIN, or at least partial VIN, stamped on the body, engine and transmission.

[B-Watson]

Park of Mopar Mick's problem still is the difference in the #'s that he has. Paperwork vs existing findable #. 7638157 and 76388157. that pesky extra 8

Somewhere a new door pillar serial # tag needs to materialize with a # that matches.

The correct number should be 7 638 157 - seven digits in total. Serial numbers for the U.S.-built Chrysler Royal (C28S) started at 7625001 and ended at 7657487.

When he finds the number stamped on the chassis, the 7638157 number will be confirmed.