Serial Number Location

Ian_Greenlaw · March 29, 2011

Not sure if this has been covered earlier but I was wondering if anyone has had this problem.

I have a 34 Dodge ( Budd Body ) and the serial number on the pillar is missing.

There is a number on the firewall, and I do have the original engine number.

I had this response from the people a Chrysler Archives :

What I have been told is that the serial number can generally be found on the dashboard or driver’s side door pillar. I think the serial number will be on a plate, but it could be stamped also. It is hard to say what the factory workers did back in those days. If this helps, the serial number for the 1934 Dodge DR should either start with 3, 9, or 4, and be seven digits longs.

Can anyone help with any further information.

Thanks heaps

Ian

March 29, 2011

All through the 1930s all CPDD vehicles had their main serial number (VIN) on a plate mounted on it's side on the right front door jamb. You will find 2 small holes about 4" apart usually on the 'B' post where the plate should have been.

It's almost certain the main serial number was also stamped some where on the frame. From what I can figure out the chassis came down the line with it's chassis number already stamped into the frame and at the body drop somebody affixed the serial number plate to the door jamb with the chassis number on it. Another plate was already on the firewall with the body makers data.

Most CPDD vehicles in the 30s,not the 20s, have the main chassis number (VIN) stamped on the left front frame cheek just to the rear of the rear spring shackle of that front left spring. Any I've seen are 'in the open' and aren't too hard to find. They are about 6" long and the digits are about 1/2" high. Grease remover and paint remover are best but sometimes a little sanding helps. Obviously no hard grinding but a wire cup brush on a grinder lightly applied finds them very quickly I find.

I've included a photo of a CPDD serial number plate. It would be mounted so it read downwards on it's side.

Edited March 29, 2011 by DodgeKCL (see edit history)

Ian_Greenlaw · March 30, 2011

Thanks for that, much appreciated.

There are the two holes where the plate was but of course no plate.

The chassis has been blasted and powder coated so I'll have a look to see if anything is left.

A bit more looking to be done !

Ian_Greenlaw · April 12, 2011

Hi,

Thanks for the help with the serial number location.

My brother and I went from one end to the other of the chassis and we found it !

I've attached a photo !

April 12, 2011

Congratulations. My book says ,as you already know, that it is a 1934 Model DR. Serial numbers starting 3680001 and ending 3756367. Engine number (on front left corner pad on engine) should fall between DR-001 and DR-95158.

(I forgot that 1934 was the one and only year that CPDD vehicles got coil springs.)

Edited April 12, 2011 by DodgeKCL (see edit history)

Ian_Greenlaw · April 16, 2011

I sent off for the build sheet and got the following response :

I am very sorry, but the build record for your vehicle appears to be missing from our records. On the reel of microfilm, serial numbers 3736751-3736925 are missing. These records do not exist within the company and there was no explanation as to why they are missing. I am so sorry that I could not have better news for you.

174 missing build sheets and mine is one of them ! I wonder if the 174 was a special run of Right Hand Drives for export ?

Ah well, back to the drawing board.

April 18, 2011

I sent off for the build sheet and got the following response :
I am very sorry, but the build record for your vehicle appears to be missing from our records. On the reel of microfilm, serial numbers 3736751-3736925 are missing. These records do not exist within the company and there was no explanation as to why they are missing. I am so sorry that I could not have better news for you.
174 missing build sheets and mine is one of them ! I wonder if the 174 was a special run of Right Hand Drives for export ?
Ah well, back to the drawing board.

Could be. Have come across owners of Chrysler products sold in Europe that were CKD units from Detroit and CH did not have build records for those cars. An owner of a unit shipped from Detroit complete had a build record at CH, but the record had no entry for dealer or shipping.

Sign In

Serial Number Location

Recommended Posts

Ian_Greenlaw

Link to comment

Share on other sites

Guest DodgeKCL

Link to comment

Share on other sites

Ian_Greenlaw

Link to comment

Share on other sites

Ian_Greenlaw

Link to comment

Share on other sites

Guest DodgeKCL

Link to comment

Share on other sites

Ian_Greenlaw

Link to comment

Share on other sites

Guest Bill-W

Link to comment

Share on other sites

Create an account or sign in to comment

Create an account

Sign in

Activity