Anyone who collects classic and/Â or vintage cars and trucks will need to know where to find serial number locations on their vehicle. Finding classic car ID numbers is a must if you are considering buying any vehicle.
As most collector’s and auto enthusiasts know, automobile manufacturers at one time had their own identification system. Nothing was standardized and what was put on the ID number or serial number and how many letters and numbers used varied from manufacturer to manufacturer. This of course makes it hard to both locate and decipher the VIN. Below we have compiled a list of vintage vehicles and where you might be able to find the ID number or VIN as it is now called.
Old Serial Numbers didn’t reflect what is given on today’s VIN’s. VIN’s didn’t even exist until about 1968. What you had prior to that could be called an Identification Number or Serial Number.
The old identification numbers, or serial numbers, used typically represented the build order from the factory. In some cases the car body was built by another company and had it’s own set of numbers and characters.
States sometimes will differ on what they accept as valid VIN’s. What one state might accept as a classic car identification number for registration purposes another state may not. Some might accept a straight engine number and others not.
The older the car or truck the more complicated it could be. Older vehicles often have had engines and other parts replaced over the years and as such it could make the process of registering a vintage or classic vehicle, in some cases, somewhat challenging because of multiple serial numbers. Some states at the time used frame numbers to register the vehicle and some used engine numbers. You can see the confusion caused when a vintage car needs to be registered today.
Your two concerns are to find the classic car serial number and to talk with your state’s DMV.
Automakers did not necessarily change locations of car serial numbers each model year so if your model is from a year close to those shown here yours may be in the same locations.
You may also be interested in our article on Antique and Classic VIN’s, What They Tell Us
Based on our research, the following information may help you in locating your vehicles ID number, Serial number or VIN.
Also, see our article on pre 1926 Ford vintage car serial numbers and information on registering an antique vehicle.
1938 Cadillac
Serial number should be located on the left frame side bar at the rear of the left front motor support.
1951 Cadillac
On right side of frame behind engine support bracket.
1955 Cadillac
On the frame, passenger’s side, just behind or near the A arm.
1922 Ford
Cars this old often had a Serial Number and a Warranty Plate. The best place to look for the Serial Number or VIN is at the front or rear of the drivers door frame. Also look around the area of the cowl/underhood firewall.
1929 Ford
Look on top of the frame on the left side back from the front body bolt hole. This is where you would typically place your left foot. Many engines were replaced on these early Ford’s so be sure to match up any number found with that on the engine block.
1935 Ford
You may find the ID number on the top frame rail on the drivers side right in front of the firewall. Also located on the right rear top frame rail over the tire. These were metal stamped with letters and numbers.
1939 Ford
Look on the left hand frame rail near the firewall. You may also see a star stamped before and after the numbers.
Another explanation we’ve learned regarding locating 1939 Ford serial numbers is as follows…Ford Motor Company stamped the serial number at three places. One is seen looking down into the engine compartment. You’ll only be able to view the two others when the body is removed from the frame. When you locate the Ford serial number on the frame in the engine compartment, the number format should look as follows…19 5258103
1947 Ford
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