Unfortunately the Pie Cart is outside at present and the weather has turned against us - so no updates possibly for a few more days :-(
Tiny, I will have a go at the frame number using the paper rubbing technique and report back. We used to call it "brass rubbing", but it was so long ago, I had forgotten it!
Jack, for the comparison, could you post an example of a frame number that used a stencil & paint? I expect that it won't be from an Australian delivered vehicle though.
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The white paint stencils were used way before the 1939 models, probably only used up to 1935,,, ish , with the new box girders chassis that came in , I believe it was dispensed with , but open to others who know more, the 1939 models did not have white stencils number , they had seperate date stampings on the outside of the chassis rails , including month date year, this steel stamping is a vertical stamping on both chassis rails, between the front body mount , and the front shock absorbers.
If you send me a pm , I can send some pictures of other 1939 Sydney chassis numbers, and I can assure you , yours is S39-1154. I have seen enough 1939 chassis numbers. The brisbane assembled 1939 chassis are stamped B……. ( number,) but in a different location, being infront of the first body mount bracket, , but very low down in the bend, and infront of the body mount,
My 38 has the number in front of the rear of the front spring mount near where the LHD steering box comes through for the pitman arm though it is a ladder design chassis where the Pie Cart may be on the sedan chassis which is a lighter material which would make it harder to get a good stamping. I didnt look for any stencil markings on mine prior to sandblasting. I had wondered if the "S" indicated a Sydney build which carried through to the 1980 builds though in later models the plant designation moved to be the last character not the 1st. Tony
I have earlier GMA. And GMH Brass chassis plates from passenger vehicles, that have Prefixes S, B , P , M, but do not have an A. It would be able to confirm if more commercial vehicles from other Australian states were able to be seen, as they contain the chassis numbers and prefixes, I only have S prefix in the trucks and commercial vehicles for 1939, some were brass etched chassis plates in 1939, and some were the aluminium screen printed chassis plates. What I do know from personal chassis numbers for 1939, is that the sequence of chassis numbers was on a first built , next available chassis number, truck or passenger vehicle didn’t matter in the order or allocations.
my 38 1/2 ton is S38-XX and is a ladder (truck Type) chassis the same as all 37, 38 and 39 truck chassis (upto 1 1/2 ton) I have seen, not seen any with other letter prefix though have seen a 4 digit suffix while mine is only 2 digit which fits in with your theory of number stamped as the vehicle passed final inspection. Tony
Daryl, I am not much help with the stamping on your 1942 convertible, my Australian chassis records is even blank in the 1942 year, my personal suggestion is that because it is a cabriolet chassis frame, with extra X members, it may be to coincide with the extra special treatment of the fittings of the cross members.
I don’t think it in a visible spot with the body fitted, to be used for later vehicle identification , without having to use a mirror.
Being in that location I doubt it would be identification for legal purposes with the added information that the US didnt use frame numbers until into the 1950's though they were originally nailed inside on the floor in most cases. Tony
Finally, the promised "brass rubbing" of the frame number. Unfortunately the stamping appears to be too feint to pick up this way. (I was using tissue paper and a 6B pencil too) The ID is still clearer (to me) in the photos.
