VCCA Home Forums TECHNICAL - 1945 AND EARLIER 1929-1932 serial number plate 1931 roadster

I have a 1931 chevrolet roadster and want to put on a serial number plate. Question is where exactly is the plate located on a roadster?

I see you're in Canada. Is the roadster Canadian or US built?
Joe

If it's a US car, it goes on the right side of the base of the front seat, nailed onto the wedge-shaped wooden base. If you'll send me a PM with your email address, I'll send you a photo.

All the Best, Chip

Hello, I am restoring a 30 chev roadster also. Am not certain whether it is an American model or Canadian as the serial plate is missing. Did Canadian models have the serial plate located in a different location than the American models?

Chip is correct, "Right side of front seat, on all models except Coach. Coach , is on right sill under carpet."

I am not an expert on differences between Canadian and American versions of '31/30 Chev's, but my April '31 Canadian coach has the serial number riveted to the front of the cowl, and includes all the pertinent data, including paint code, engine stamping #, etc. Not sure where Canadian Roadsters were ID'.

So you may want to look for evidence of left center top of cowl for 2 small telltale holes of a cowl plate having been removed. Other more obvious variations between the Can/US models for '31 were the fenders, with the Canadian cars having a double bead, while '31 American fenders had a single bead I was told. Also Canadian cars often had different casting numbers for some parts (Transmission case, brake pedals, etc) as such parts were cast in Canada.

Other things I have noticed was a pattern of Canadian Cars retaining previous years parts (using up American leftover inventory?). For example my '31 Hood has original latches for 29/30 model year, instead of the newer '31 type shown in parts book. My Door handles were 29/30 as well. Since many cars around today have likely been assembled from parts of various other cars over their lifetimes, one can never be sure just where original car was sold, although US sales likely outnumbered Canadian sales by 10 to 1 or more. Engine stamping number was included in Canadian cowl plate, easily allowing me to determine my engine was not original. Perhaps if you can post engine stamping #, someone may be able to narrow dates of manufacture and possibly location, assuming engine is original!

Hey Jack,

I think down under they did a few things different then we did up here. All closed bodies had the tag which we are talking about on the right sill under the rubber mat. This was the body number from that plant. All open bodies had the tag which we are talking about on the right side of the seat. This is for US and Canada from what I understand.

Also, Chip is right.

I emailed a couple of photos........

All the Best, Chip

Hello Gunsmoke,

So the tag your talking about is only on Fisher bodied cars or closed cars. That tag as you said tells you the trim and paint info. That tag is on the fire wall of the car. Roadsters don't have this tag since they are body by Chevrolet.

Now you also have a tag which is on the right sill which is the body number from that plant. See my post to Jack.

Hi Bruce,
Yes fully aware about your statement. I was quoting word for word from my 1931 export specifications, as i thought that this was relating to a Canadian car and member. The 1931 specs quote the American and Oshawa Canada factories. If it is a 1931 deluxe roadster of Canadian origin , it will have differences to The US versions. for example Fender lamps instead of cowl lamps. The other option is of course that this is a later import to Canada , and is a US version.

Really Apreciate the help and advice. I know the car was stored in a warehouse for about 30 years, untill I purchased it about eight years ago.I also know that the car came from Brittish Columbia Canada before it went in to storage. Fenders have single bead edging. Casting #s are 835501 M20 9 1H Serial # is 266475 on motor. Maybe I can find out a little more about the origin of this car. Thanks John

Hi Gunsmoke,
Ditto my above comment. The same could apply with your coach as well. If you are unsure about your coach being from the US or Canada. The other senario is that the cars with Serial number plates as i have quoted , could have all been exported out of Canada to the far reaches of the world, and none are in Canada.(or some were sold Locally!!)

I recently had an email conversion with a US Chevrolet enthusiast who has a 1931 RHD Pheaton . He was told it was a HOLDEN body. I pointed out to him that it was not , and is infact a US ( or Canadian) built export model, and is different from the Holden Bodies. I believe it was re imported from some America.

Sorry, should read CONVERSATION

Sorry another typo correction, " I believe it was re-imported from SOUTH AMERICA"

Hi Jack,

Was the coversation about a 31 or 32 phaeton? I know of a 32 holden body phaeton which has a US windshild on it.

Bruce

Hi Bruce,
It is a 1931 RHD phaeton , unrestored , possibly out of Uraguay or Argentina.Can further discuss with you in a PM if interested in further details.
Best regards,(of cause)

On my 1932 chevy roadster the plate is on the firewall

My 32 roadster is a Canadian built car and it has a tag on the firewall pass side.#146

Jack it is my understanding that only FISHER BODIED cars have the aluminum Oshawa build plate on the firewall, that the roadsters and phaetons had the floor /seat riser tag.

whats correct for Canadian cars. ???????

mike lynch

All in Canada have the aluminum tag, Fisher or Chevrolet. In Canada it's not a Fisher body tag like in the USA....Joe

Right.....Canadian cars had the plate on the firewall.

M20 9 1H is a canadian engine built in December ( m ) 20 1929 (9) . The engine number according to the data I have is a truck engine . Truck engine number 258615 to 294924 were use in Oshawa and Regina plan between Jan-Aug 1930. Oshawa truck serial from 474001 to 495197 , 17936 produced for dominion ( Canada ) 5000 for exportation. Regina truck serial from 457001 to 462438 , 5436 produced for dominion ( Canada )

So this is an truck engine from 1930

Truck model were.

UNIVERSAL
SERIES
A.D.
AND A.D. 152
COMMERCIAL SERIES