VCCA Home Forums TECHNICAL - 1945 AND EARLIER 1929-1932 1932 Chevrolet ID Assistance

I am interested in purchasing a 1932 Chevrolet Cabriolet and would like assistance with Serial Number and Body Code Information:
Serial Numer is 1BA0417332

Fire Wall Tag: Fisher Body Corp
Job No 32568
Body No N 91
Trim No 19
Paint No 106

Can someone interpret these numbers?

The serial number of 1BA0417332 indicates that the car was built in the Flint factory. It is a series BA manufactured in April of 1932 and the vehicle was the 16,332nd car built in the Flint factory in 1932. (Note that the serial numbers started at 1,001).

The Fisher Body cowl plate breaks down as follows:

Job No 32568 = 1932 Cabriolet

Body No N 91 = Built at the Norwood, Ohio factory and the car was the 91st cabriolet built in that factory in 1932.

Trim No 19 = Genuine Tan Spanish Grain leather interior with imitation Tan Spanish Grain leather on the side panels. The top was Tan Teal.

Paint No 106 = The vehicle was black with either Aurora Red or black wire wheels. The door belt insert was Aurora Red and the body moulding stripe was also Aurora Red as well.

Now, here is the confusion. The car serial number plate indicates that the car was made in Flint. However, the Fisher Body cowl plate dictates that the car was made in Norwood. Possibly, either the cowl tag or the car serial number plate might have been changed. If the Fisher Body cowl plate is still riveted to the cowl with factory rivets then, most likely, the car serial number plate was changed since it was originally attached to the wood main sill with small nails. Also, the body made in Norwood could have been shipped to Flint and assembled to the chassis in that factory instead. However, the Fisher Body cowl tag and the car serial number factory designation codes usually match.

Thanks for assistance. I came upon the same issue when referencing a Filling Station article. For sure the Fisher Body Tag is riveted and car was completely redone some time ago. Did Fisher Body ever ship bodies to other plants for final assembly or is this a miss match. Any way I can research build records?

Thanks for help

Not that I am aware of, but I suppose it could have happened. However, most likely you have a mis-match. Since the car has been redone someone probably attached the car serial number plate. You might want to look at the title and see what numbers were used.




Probably not.

He could've had a serial number plate & a matching title from another car & no title to the Cabriolet. Why not put the 2 together? Most people don't know the information JYD has posted...Joe

Changing the Car No. plate to match an in hand title is a reasonable explanation. Much better than shipping bodies to another assembly plant. Did happen with low production bodies. Cleveland was one of those special body plants.

[quote=hopwooddon Did Fisher Body ever ship bodies to other plants for final assembly?
[/quote]

Yes, my 41 Cabriolet has a fisher cowl tag code L (Lansing) and Chevrolet floor tag code 6 (Oakland).

Here's a bulletin dated 9-4-1940 outlining Fisher body and Chevrolet plant codes. Note the last sentence " Lansing builds all Fisher body Cabriolets"



Imagine that sight....convertible bodies from all divisions going down the line together!
Jay

That is great information! Thanks for posting the service bulletin

Thank You so much for this information. I was very confused by the mixed numbers as both look very original with no attempt of altering. Norwood, OH is within reasonable distance of Flint. I have not purchased this car yet, but my intent is to show it and compete and did not want this be a draw back for car.

Any judges out their how would handle this difference.

Thank You again

Unless you had documentation to prove the two conflicting factories, the mis-match might be an issue for the judges....IF....they even take the time to check the cowl tag or the serial number plate. I don't think that those two items are usually looked at during the judging process.

Every 1932 cabriolet that I have seen that still had both ID plates had matching factory designations, including the all original 1932 cabriolet that I use to own.

Again, without the proper documentation for 1932 I would tend to be a little skeptical....especially since the car has been restored.