1913 Studebaker SA-25 - Where's the serial number?

[mbstude]

We have a 1913 Stude model 25 with a homemade body on it. Can anyone tell me where the serial number tag (or engine serial number) is? We need to get a title and registration for it.

 

All I've found so far is a circa 1990 registration card from a previous owner in New York. The number listed on the card is 254204. 

 

Thanks in advance. 

[mbstude]

I just found another post on this forum where I asked the same question in 2020. Seems that the original serial tag was fastened to the firewall.

 

This car doesn’t have the original firewall. 
 

I’m open to suggestions.

 

 

Edited April 18, 2023 by mbstude (see edit history)

[(S)]

I don't know much about these, but the later cars were stamped on the bottom side of the drivers frame rail . Maybe that number you have is there? Or they used the engine #  ??

[8E45E]

Google the engine number.

 

Craig

[nzcarnerd]

From Richard Quinn - "Serial is (was) on the inside of the firewall. Serial range 301501 to 315611. Engine # range 25A-1 to15031. Have a photo?"

 

You note that the firewall is gone so no luck with that number. There should be an engine number. I think back in the day plenty of cars were titled with their engine number(?).

[Bloo]

Pretty much this. The firewall was wood, and the plate was nailed on. Mine is on the left side (water pump side) and is visible with the hood open. I believe that is the correct location but can't prove it. No big surprise it is missing in this case.

 

I don't recall ever seeing the engine number, but my SA-25 is not handy to look at right now. Any clues about the engine number's location?

 

 

[mbstude]

What Bloo said - I can’t find an engine serial number. 

[mbstude]

A quick email to Andy Beckman (Archivist at the Studebaker National Museum) answered the engine number question - it’s stamped into the top of the block, left side, between the #2 and #3 cylinders. 25A-204, a pretty low number. 
 

A little more of the story on this car - Two guys from Long Island found the chassis in a New Jersey junkyard in about 1952. They got it running and cobbled together the plywood body at that time. Somehow it’s managed to survive intact for the last 70 years. 
 

The current owner’s father bought the car in 1996 from George Albright. Not much has been done to the car since, other than starting it and driving it around the pastures every few years. 
 

The car is thoroughly worn out, though it still starts and runs. I’m thinking it might be my next project.. I want to rebuild the chassis and put a more attractive body on it - turning it into either a proper speedster with a lower seating position, or a roadster style pickup truck (leaning more towards the latter idea).
 

Since it’s really just a chassis, authenticity goes out the window and I may as well have fun with it.
 

But it was purchased without any paperwork and as such has never been registered or tagged. I’d like to be able to drive the car on the road when it’s all done.. Hence the need to find a number on it so we can get it titled. Should be fun! 
 

 

 

 

Edited April 19, 2023 by mbstude (see edit history)

[Bloo]

Thanks for that. I'll be looking for it now when I can get in to see the car.

 

What is the thing sticking out of the floor just ahead of the driver's seat?

 

 

[mbstude]

1 hour ago, Bloo said:

Thanks for that. I'll be looking for it now when I can get in to see the car.

 

What is the thing sticking out of the floor just ahead of the driver's seat?

 

Exhaust cutout. 

 

 

 

 

Edited April 19, 2023 by mbstude (see edit history)

[mbstude]

 

I acquired the car from my friend this morning.

I have a Studebaker Lark project (almost done) that I need to finish up first..  Then I'll tear down this SA-25 and see what kind of trouble I can get myself into. Should be a fun build! 

 

 

Edited April 19, 2023 by mbstude (see edit history)