VCCA Home Forums TECHNICAL - 1945 AND EARLIER 1929-1932 1932 Cabriolet Number Identification Help

I am looking at a 1932 Chevrolet Cabriolet on line and I can not make sense of Fisher Body Tag.

The tag is on Passenger side [/u]of Fire Wall

Job: 32551
Body W 4925
Trim 8
Paint 69

I can not find a production plant with W, and 32551 looks like a coach number.

Could this be a Canadian built car that used different numbering.

Any help would be appreciated. No question body is a Cabriolet.

Being that this is on line I have not been able to see serial plate. Issue it on passenger side floor boards?

Thanks Don

The firewall tag does not match the body so is definitely a replacement. 32551 is for a 1932 Coach. Have no clue to the W on the Body No. Trim 8 and Paint 69 are 1931 numbers not 1932. '31 Trim no. 8 is leather and 69 is Bolling Green main body color.

I would suggest extra caution on any dealing with this car. I suspect it was assembled from parts of several 1931 & 1932 cars. It probably doesn't have some of the subtle differences between the two years.

If the cowl tag is bolted onto the cowl instead of riveted onto the cowl, then the tag has been changed. Anyway, based on the cowl tag information, I would definitely recommend staying away from this car.

Chipper & Junkyard Dog

Thank You for your help. Can I ask a favor would you look at this car on line and give your opinion.

It is list on gatewayclassiccars.com St. Louis location stock # 6883-STL.

You will notice this car is displaying a Senior VVCA Winner Badge.

Thank You Don

In my opinion, the vehicle should not be a VCCA senior winner because of the incorrect cowl tag which makes the car bogus. Because of that issue, I would recommend staying away from the vehicle.

I do not know about decoding body tags, except the year..

but, I did see this disclaimer on an ad for that car on a UK car site.

"Numbers Matching and Original Mileage Cars:

If marked as such, the Owner states, this vehicles as numbers matching and/or original mileage. It has not been verified by Gateway Classic Cars. As such Gateway Classic Cars is not guaranteeing the authenticity of this claim. Buyer is encouraged to verify this information on their own, prior to purchase."

That might well be just a generic disclaimer on all their offerings, but it makes it sound like their car(s) are consignments still owned by a private owner(s).

I would think the dealer should be contacted to find out if they own it or not, and that you want to know why there is a issue with the plate.

If they can't or won't try to sort it out on the first call, I would avoid the car. It is a buyers market, so "they" should jump through the hoops, not you, as a potential buyer in a weak market.

For the record I past on this car. Nice Car but looking for a car to be Judged.

Serial Plate was even worse than Fisher Body Tag, Poor attempt at recreation.


Correct reading of Fisher Body Tag is:

Job: 32551 1932 Coach on 1932 Cabriolet
Body N 4025 Norwood Ohio
Trim: 16
Paint Code: 89 Black/Black/Ocean Green Strip/Black Wheels

What is Trim Level #16 ?????

Thanks all for helping me not make a mistake. Don

Trim 16 is a gray mohair with a pattern.

You did good by passing on the car.

Please note, if you know your Cabriolet and Landau's for 1931 and 32, you can tell by a few signs that this car was once a 1931 and not a 32. It has been put on a 32 frame and fenders and hood.

So that is the reason for a body tag that does not match.

Bruce