VCCA Home Forums TECHNICAL - 1945 AND EARLIER 1933-1936 serial 3 location

I own a 1933 5 window coupe , I have no title that shows a serial # I have the body tag that went on the firewall, I am currently trying to get this registered and am in need of the location where they put the serial number, this vehicle has no motor, it was pretty well modified before I got it.The body tag has job # 33-567, body # 0 5174, can someone tell me what those #'s stand for, as you can tell I am pretty new to this restoration stuff Thanx Gerry Moe

All models from '29 to '36 have the VIN should be on a metal tag on the right front sill, which is basically on the floor between the passenger's seat and the door, under the floor mat. At this location there were subject to a fair amount of wear and can be difficult to read. If yours hasn't been modified too much it may still be there.
The 33-567 just means it is as you say, a '33 Master 5 window coupe. The first letter of the body number stands for the factory, but I'll be darned if I can remember what "O" stands for. The 5174 is a production number I believe. Sorry! I may need more coffee this morning.

Coach

Oakland!?
Coach

The information on the Fisher Body ID tag was never used for registration.It carried body information and described production sequence number, body style, paint color and type of upholstery.
Body job #33-567 indicates its a 5 window Master coupe, O that the body was built in Oakland,Ca. and it was the 5174th of that body made at that plant.
Prior to 1955 most states used the engine number for registration.It was stamped on the original block near the fuel pump.

As I read it if you put a different engine in you basically had an unregistered vehicle or there were 2 vehicles with the same id number.
Tony

Thats the way I see it tonyw, I live in CA where auto thiefs are abundent and registering a car is proving quite a task the knowledge I have received so far has been appreciated immensely, in CA I have been told an owner can put an owner applied ID #, put it in an easy place for an officer can put it, but it still will not take the place of serial #. Does anyone have any clear serial #'s or a 1933 chevy 5 window that is trash but has paer who would sell?

Forgive my spelling, paer should have said paper, for an officer can put it, should have said for an officer to see it. I think I think that is the reason for the preview post sign at bottom, I am really green at computer knowledge my kids laugh at me all the time

Please don't shoot the messenger (states using engine number for registration) but thats how it was done. :) :)
If engine was changed state was notified and proper changes were made.Not same proceedure used in all states.
Bt the sane token the serial number plate could easily be remove from the floor (only nailed on in 1933) and switched to another car.In the 1920's some cars used the Fedco system where the serial number was "built into" the instrument panel and difficult to change.

Texas was one of those states that used the engine number as vehicle identification, a new replacement engine had no engine number and the mechanic was supposed to hand stamp the old engine number in, but many didn't bother. I have had to document engine numbers by having a Deputy sheriff witness me doing a pencil rub of the engine number in order to get a title, when I brought in a out of state car with out an engine number on the title. Where there is a will, there is a way, once you get a little higher on the DMV food chain, than the tag clerk.

Thanx MrMack all info is helpful and I am slowly getting closer to getting this done, some more homework and I will have a clear plan. I have been told I plan totally to much. To the Chevnut, in no way did I want to send out the feeling of shooting the messenger, the info you supplied, made me a much wiser person in the arena of licensing the 33 something I was in dire needs. To all who have replied a big THANX. Gerry Moe