VCCA Home Forums TECHNICAL - 1945 AND EARLIER 1929-1932 1931 RH Drive Vehicle ID

...after searching through some threads it seems like many RHD restorations from South America were converted to LHD when returning to the US. Is there any production reference or way of knowing from the Fisher body tag or serial # tag attached to sill that a 1931 converted restoration in the US may have started as a RHD?

Perhaps the car serial number would have a prefix "R"?
I have seen many of the specific RH drive components (EX. bell housing) stamped with an "R".

As always any help and support is appreciated…

RHD cars had a letter R before the engine serial number. The car number, if you can find it, is different from US production. I was told a car number tag should be on or near the front seat frame of my '31 phaeton assembled in Argentina. I have examined it carefully and cannot see any evidence that there ever was a car number tag. Some other differences I have found; the water pump is a completely enclosed casting, the bottom piston ring is located under the wrist pin, the speedometer reads in kilometers, a small hole for vacuum wiper is on the right side. The windshield frame can be reversed to relocate the wiper to the left side. Also see if the instrument panel appears to be modified where it's bolted to the steering column.

An article from Hemmings Classic Car, December 2007 mentions RHD Chevrolets assembled in Argentina received an “R” prefix to their Flint Motor Plant engine serial numbers just as you say. I’m not sure about RHD but I think LHD open cars assembled in the US did have the car serial # located at the base of the front passenger seat. Closed cars with Fisher bodies also have the car serial # tag located on the passenger side but its located on the sill. They are often missing.

There are a couple of closed car serial number tags illustrated on Bill Barker’s 31 chevy website. Like the “R” prefix engine serial number, how does the car serial number differ from US production cars that would indicate a RHD closed car originally assembled in Argentina? Does anyone have pics?

My 31 Sport Roadster was originally built for Uruqay and was RHD when it was brought back to the U.S., it was then converted to LHD. I have never found a tag anywhere on the car but the serial number does reflect RS. I pulled the cover to check the serial number stamped there and it seems to be out of sequence with the published series. In my case I believe while the engine appears to be original a lot of parts were taken from a donor car. I am the 3rd owner but there still a lot of unknowns.

Thank you for the reply.....Seems you have first hand information...Sent you a PM...

I have a RHD ex Uruguay car (1930 sports roadster). It does have a letter R before the engine serial number and it has a vehicle number low down on the driver's seat frame.
Don't know if that helps.

It sure does.....Thank you Peter.....