[38-39 Ford VIN question]

Thanks for all your input and knowledge.  That is the reason I posted on this forum.  The only info that I had was from Vanpelts. (Picture attached).  I believe totally that it is a 39 and the DMV or whatever titled it as a 38 because it was Oct of 38 purchase.  If you can send me the reference of where you obtained the last serial # for the 38 year it would be appreciated.   Again, thanks for all the info and feedback.  All my questions were based on the Vanpelts data - which seems to be in error or I lack the understanding of how to read it. 

 

 

[38-39 Ford VIN question]

The car was bought new in October of 1938.  The best original pictures I have are included.  These are coming out of the barn (since 1955) and after I cleaned it up a bit.  It had hydraulic brakes when bought. Serial # is 18-4654985. That makes it within ~ 6000 cars of the end of 38 production (based on 38 production being through 4,661,000). 
 

[38-39 Ford VIN question]

On 3/31/2020 at 10:24 PM, Pomeroy41144 said:

 

 

VINS for the 1938 calendar year run up to 466100, NOT the model year.  The 1938 model year ended in August 1938.  After that Ford produced 1939 vehicles.  

 

I have seen it before with old titles---the car was probably titled in error as a 1938 car by someone at the forerunner to the modern DMV--either in error or because the transaction took place in 1938 and the vehicle was new.  

 

On 3/31/2020 at 10:04 PM, Pomeroy41144 said:

 

 

 

 

Wow.  This looks like it is a 1939 Standard.  Maybe the car was titled in late 1938.  1938 number and 1939 front end.  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[38-39 Ford VIN question]

Thanks, this one was bought new by my wife’s grandpa. When I talked with my mother-in-law she said they had never changed any brakes etc. As I stated, the grill and hood latch and hood side panels are all 39. Grandpa was a farmer and the car was basic transportation. Just an interesting situation to me. 

[38-39 Ford VIN question]

Here are some completed pictures:

 

[38-39 Ford VIN question]

[38-39 Ford VIN question]

We inherited a 38 or 39 ford 4dr Standard from my wife’s grandfather.  I looked at the VIN and it is 18-4654xxx. When I search Vanpelts data base it indicates that the VIN for 38 runs through 18-466100.  The title reflects it is a 38.  However it has hydraulic brakes and the grill, hood, hood latch and dash look exactly like a 39!  Very confused, anyone have any ideas? Since it was very near the end of the 38 production run, could they have started putting 39 parts on it?