1931 Plymouths had no VIN?

[Frank Gooz]

I just saw a 1931 Plymouth coupe for sale and the ad said they had no vin no.? I have never heard of this. I had a friend in High School that had a 1932 Plymouth, And I do not remember him saying anything about that.

What do any of you know of this? Is this car a special case?

 

Frank

[kencombs]

Maybe it is just the term VIN.  That is a fairly new thing in the auto world as it came into being by federal mandate in about 1981.  Before that date most, if not all, had a serial number.

 

The serial number is part of the VIN, but it also contains much more information regarding the vehicle, paint, engine, trans, options, etc.  those were recorded in some other fashion before the VIN came into being.

[greg g]

There should be a numbered tag with an ID number.  If not there they might have used the engine number.  Take a look at member Mark Duggan posts.  He just purchased a late 20s early 30s Chrysler coupe. In the pics from this post is a shot of the tag.

Edited April 17, 2021 by greg g

[soth122003]

Check the frame behind the left rear wheel, on the upward arc as it went over the axle. They usually had a stamped number there as an ID. P-xx-xxxxxx (Plymouth) or D-xx-xxxxx (Dodge) etc... which matched the original engine number. Don't use a wire brush to clean the area as the stamping isn't that deep and will be erased by the wire brush or wire wheel. Use a rag dampened with light oil or soapy water to lightly clean the area.

 

Joe Lee

[TodFitch]

For 1931, the serial number tag should be on the front passenger (right) side door hinge post. To the best of my knowledge that is the only place the serial number appears on the car. In that era they often registered cars using the engine number. The engine number should be on a boss on the driver (left) side of the engine block above the generator. For 1933 the engine number was also stamped on the frame on the driver's side between the running board supports. I don't know if they stamped the frame in 1931 or not.

 

For more than you care to know, see https://www.ply33.com/Misc/vin