1939 Graham ID help

[motoringicons]

Are there any numbers beside the VIN (which is 510631) on a 1939 Graham Supercharged two door? Is there a body number anywhere? If so, where would it be? Are there any numbers or reference items out there which show what body style is correct per VIN number, what trim options, whether or not a car is originally a supercharged car, etc? Just trying make sure I have all the right info on this car. This is for the black car pictured a few threads down. Thank you in advance!

[alsancle]

Are there any numbers beside the VIN (which is 510631) on a 1939 Graham Supercharged two door? Is there a body number anywhere? If so, where would it be? Are there any numbers or reference items out there which show what body style is correct per VIN number, what trim options, whether or not a car is originally a supercharged car, etc? Just trying make sure I have all the right info on this car. This is for the black car pictured a few threads down. Thank you in advance!

I'm not a guru, but I'm pretty sure there is nothing that will tell you the options. There are 3 plates, a serial number plate, body plate and engine plate. The body plate will tell the body style. I know on the hollywoods the engine number is usually close to the serial number numerically but that is not a hard and fast rule.

That is a beautiful car btw.

A.J.

[Guest Bill-W]

Are there any numbers beside the VIN (which is 510631) on a 1939 Graham Supercharged two door? Is there a body number anywhere? If so, where would it be? Are there any numbers or reference items out there which show what body style is correct per VIN number, what trim options, whether or not a car is originally a supercharged car, etc? Just trying make sure I have all the right info on this car. This is for the black car pictured a few threads down. Thank you in advance!

The VIN will confirm whether or not the car came from the factory with a Supercharger. Non-supercharged models used one sequence, while supercharged models used another. Model numbers differed as well.

For the 1938-40 sharknose models, with engine numbers in parentheses :

1938 :

Series 96, non-supercharged : 225001 to 227602 (230001 to 232605)

Series 97, Supercharger : 140001 to 142403 (145001 to 147434)

1939 :

Series 96, non-supercharged : 600001 to 602913 (610001 to 612920)

Series 97, Supercharger : 500001 to 502479 (510001 to 512507)

1940 :

Series 108, non-supercharged : 605001 to 605661 (615001 to 615657)

Series 97, Supercharger : 505001 to 505358 (515001 to 515575)

The number you quoted, 510631, does not fall into any serial number sequence. It does, however, fall into the engine number sequence for the 1939 series 97, Supercharger - 510001 to 512507. So that number is probably the engine number, which is stamped on both the engine and the serial number plate just in side the right rear door on sedans under the carpet or under the right seat of coupes or on the door sill.

As stated, any options on the car were not noted on any plate. That did not come into effect until after WW II on American cars. Also, many options were installed by the dealer as there were no large items such as A/C, power steering, power windows, door door locks, etc. Even radios and heaters were generally dealer installed as there was a choice of items and the dealer would install the unit the buyer wanted.

Bill

Vancouver, BC