I HAVE SEEN SO MANY DIFFERENT NUMBERS ON NUMBER OF MODELS MADE IN '32 (SOME QUESTION ABOUT WHAT MODELS WERE MADE ALSO EXIST)THAT I'M TURNING TO THE EXPERTS. COULD SOMEONE LIST THE MODEL AND NUMBER MADE IN 1932? PLEASE BREAK IT DOWN ALSO BETWEEN THE ONES MADE IN CANADA AND THE ONES MADE IN THE U.S.A., THANKS. IF THERE ISN'T AN "OFFICIAL" NUMBER, JUST GIVE ME THE BEST EDUCATED GUESSIMENT. WHERE WERE THE ASSEMBLY PLANTS IN '32 ALSO. THANKS AGAIN, GATOR

Gator,
I will only deal with 1932 US passenger (used passenger chassis) production in this post.

Pass. chassis 11
Phaeton 419
Roadster 1118
Sport Roadster 8552
Sedan (4 door) 27718
Deluxe Sedan 52446
Coach (2 door) 132109
Deluxe Coach 8346
Coupe 8874
Deluxe Coupe 2226
Five Window Coupe 34796
Five Passenger Coupe 7566
Sport Coupe 26623
Cabriolet 7066
Landau Phaeton 1602
Sedan Delivery 3628
Total production 323100

Production plants
Plant number Code Location
1 F Flint, MI
2 T Tarrytown, NY
3 S St. Louis, MO
5 K Kansas City, MO
6 O Oakland, CA
8 AG Atlanta, GA
9 N Norwood, OH
12 B Buffalo, NY
21 J Janesville, WI

The expert on Canadian and European produciton is David Hayword. Maybe he will answer that part. :) :) :)

WAS THERE ANY DOCUMENTATION ON WHAT MODELS WERE PRODUCED AT THE DIFFERENT PLANTS. I JUST WONDER IF ALL MODELS OF PASSENGER CARS WERE BUILT AT EVERY PLANT, OR DID SOME OF THE PLANTS PRODUCE ONLY CERTAIN MODELS IN 32? :) :) :) :)

Yes, there is documentation, but you probably wouldn't believe it anyway. ha ha ha! :eek:

THANK YOU CHEVYCHIP FOR THE INFORMATION.
I HAVE A FEW OTHER QUESTION ;
DO YOU KNOW WHAT MONTH OF THE YEAR THE FACTORIES CHANGED OVER FROM ONE MODEL YEAR TO THE NEXT? I ASSUMED THE NEW MODELS CAME OUT TOWARD THE END OF A YEAR ('32 COMING OUT IN LATE '31). IF WE KNOW THE MONTH PRODUCTION STARTED IS THERE ANY WAY WE CAN QUESSIMATE THE MONTH A CAR WAS MADE?
DID THE FACTORIES RUN ONLY ONE MODEL AT A TIME OR DID THEY MIX THE MODELS ON THE LINE?
MY COWL TAG IS NUMBER 74 AT THE ATLANTA PLANT, WHAT COULD I ASSUME ABOUT THE PRODUCTION DATE, IF ANYTHING? JYD TOLD ME THAT MINE WOULD HAVE BEEN THE 74TH CABRIOLET MADE IN ATLANTA,
IS THERE ANY BREAK DOWN ON HOW MANY OF EACH MODEL WAS MADE AT THE DIFFERENT PLANTS?
SINCE THE '32'S CHANGED AND STARTED PAINTING ALL FENDERS BLACK IN MAY OF '32 (AND FENDERS BODY COLOR PRIOR TO MAY), KNOWING WHEN THE CAR WAS MADE WOULD LET US KNOW WHICH WAY TO GO ON THE PAINT TO BE ORGINAL.
LAST QUESTION, DID ALL OF THE PLANTS MAKE ALL OF THE MODELS OR DID SOME PLANTS ONLY MAKE CERTAIN MODELS? THANK A BUNCH. GATOR

WHO WOULD HAVE THE DOCUMENTATION ON WHICH FACTORY BUILT WHAT MODEL CARS IN 1932. :) :) :) :)

Hi Gator! I will let Chipper answer most of your questions since he spent the time to answer your first question. However, I did want you to know that the VIN number (which was on a metal plate that was nailed to the passenger side main sill on the cabriolet...which is usually missing today) contained the month of manufacture of the car and the factory number as well. Also, on the fenders, you miss understood what I said. All models had black fenders. However, some of the selected few models like the sport roadster and the cabriolet did have contrasting colors on the fenders but only until about May 1st of 1932. After that the cabriolet had black fenders, and not all cabriolets prior to May 1st, 1932 had contrasting colors on the fenders either....only a few since most of the fenders were black then also. And, keep in mind, to sell a car, upon request the dealer would change the color combination for the customer to suit his taste after he purchased a new model.

THANKS FOR CLEARING THAT UP FOR ME, JYD. I WILL TRY TO FIND THE SILL PLATE. WILL LET YOU KNOW. THANKS AGAIN, GATOR

Sure my friend. Glad to help!

WHERE EXACTLY WOULD I LOOK ON THE MAIN SILL? I SEARCHED EVERYWHERE I COULD THINK OF, BUT NO PLATE OR TAG.
DID FIND SOME ORGINAL BOLTS/NUTS/SCREWS UNDER THE SEAT. DO I NEED TO TAKE THE SEAT FRAME OUT?
I AM MISSING THE SILL PLATE ON THE PASS. SIDE. HELP... :confused:
P.S. UNDER THE SEAT WAS SOME METAL FLOORING, IS THIS CORRECT? WAS ALL OF THE FLOOR PLYWOOD? WHAT THICKNESS PLYWOOD? THANKS AGAIN, GATOR :confused:

The VIN plate is on the passenger side wood main sill, just inside of the passenger side door, about 4 inches in front of the seat frame, and under the floor mat. This plate was held in place with 4 little nails and the plate is usually missing since the nails fall out. If the plate was still there it would be very visible and you do not have to remove the seat frame to see it since it is on the main sill. :eek: :eek:

Yes, under the seat should be a metal pan and that was used as a tool tray for the jack, jack handle and the other tools. The front floor is made out of plywood.

First I will comment to Don on which models were produced in each plant. The documentation that JYD is referring to is in Cars & Parts in an article written by Bob Stevens, editor,. It states that Chevrolet made each model in a different plant. It was pointed out to Mr. Stevens by several individuals that this was blatently incorrect and that he should print a correction. He did not answer, nor printed a correction. That error has been printed in at least two other places that I know of. The real answer is there were more models in '31 and '32 then there were plants!!! :confused: (Nine plants and 14 [or 16 with Sedan Delivery and pass. chassis] models in '32) So, at least one plant had to make more than one model. :p ACTUALLY MOST ALL MODELS WERE MADE IN EACH PLANT! Maybe all models in all plants. Until we document this with either official Chevrolet records or data plates we can't be sure that all plants actually produced a phaeton for example.

Now for Gator!
I will try to keep this brief. The mechanical parts for '31 were produced beginning in October '30. The vehicles were produced beginning in late October '30. Model introduction was early December '30. Because of the number of changes '32 engines were not produced until November '31 (only 29,401 engines were produced by December 1, 1930) and vehicles also in November, '30. Model introduction was early December which must have been a real rush to get cars to dealers in time for the introduction. :confused:

We have the records for '31 of the first serial number in each plant by month. I have never seen the same record for '32 models. But you can either determine it from the serial number plate which has the month number after the year code BA or BB in the serial number. The plant number preceeds the plant code. Lacking the serial number plate the approximate assembly date can be determined from serial numbers on the engine, transmission, rear end, sequential number body number on the data plate, date stamped on the speedometer and a few others.

As is the case today the body styles were mixed on the assembly line. In fact trucks were mixed into the assembly process in these plants.

I don't know of any documentation of the model breakdown by plant. Dave Dawn has been collecting data on this era of Chevrolets. His database and one by David Hayward are beginning to get better documentation on assembly data.

See my comments to Don in the previous post for the model by plant question.

THANKS CHEVY CHIP, YOUR EXPLANATION IS WHAT I WANTED TO HEAR. HOPEFULLY SOMETIME DOWN THE ROAD, WE WILL BE ABLE TO GET MORE INFORMATION AS TO THE PRODUCTION AND MODELS MADE AT THE VARIOUS PLANTS. THANKS AGAIN :) :) :) :)

Actually, I wasn't referring to Cars & Parts Magazine, but ya Chipper that is an excellent example too. I really meant that useless book, the Standard Catalog of Chevrolets, since that book is the one that started the whole mess in the first place. And then Cars & Parts picked it up as gospel and then it spread from there! And, like you mentioned, they have never printed a correction to this day. Myself, Dave Dawn and many many others wrote to them asking for a correction, but it never came. Steele Rubber Parts also had the same information in their parts catalog until they removed it in 1995. But, it wasn't until two months ago (after some urging from me) that they finally removed the same incorrect information from their web site as well.

I totally agree with you about all models being produced in all factories. In my research over the years I have listed model information by factory based on both the cowl tag and the VIN plate information as I ran into them (like Dave Dawn is doing now) and this research does indicate that all models were made in all factories, as does Dave's research. Like you mentioned, the 1932 phaeton is another story, but as I remember I believe that I found that they were made in at least two factories...maybe more. :confused: :confused:

THANKS FOR THE INFORMATION SKIP. IT SOUNDS LIKE YOU AND CHIP AND OTHERS ARE VERY UP ON THE SUBJECT.I THINK IT WOULD BE GREAT TO GET A NUMBER OF, SAY COUPES, SEDANS OR OTHER MODELS THAT PEOPLE OWN, THAT SHOWS THE SAME FACTORY WHERE THEY WERE BUILT, TO GET A IDEA OF WHAT MODELS WERE PRODUCED AND WHAT COME OUT OF EACH FACTORY. :) :) :) :)

Way ahead of ya on that one since I have been doing that for about 16 years! I set up a notebook divided by each individual factory and I write in the information, by factory, on the 1932 passenger cars as I run across them. So far, Oakland has the biggest listing and Atlanta, Georgia has the smallest listing.

SKIP DO YOU HAVE ANY KIND OF A LISTING ON NORWOOD OHIO????? :) :) :) :)

Sure! But they didn't make Budweiser there! :eek: :eek: :eek: :eek: :eek: :eek:

NOR DID ELVIRA COME FROM THERE, ONLY IN YOUR DREAMS?????????? :arrow: :arrow: :arrow: :arrow:

I WOULD LIKE TO THANK YOU GUYS FOR FINDING AND TYPING ALL OF THIS INFORMATION.
A COUPLE OF FOLLOW UPS:
1. WHERE CAN I FIND DATES OF PRODUCTION FOR MY ENGINE?
2. JYD, THE PLATE I'M TRYING TO FIND IS GONE, WITH A "A G 74" ON MY COWL TAG, COULD I ASSUME THIS WAS AN EARLY PRODUCTION CABRIOLET AT THE ATLANTA PLANT? I'M ALSO ASSUMING THAT EACH MODEL HAD ITS OWN NUMBERS, OR DID THEY NUMBER THE CARS/TRUCKS IN ORDER OF PRODUCTION NO MATTER WHAT THE MODEL?

The casting date is on the side of your engine block by the distributor. The casting date consists of a letter, two numbers, and a third number. The letter is for the month (A = January, B = February and so forth). The next two numbers are the day of the month and the third number is the year (1 = 1931 and 2 = 1932). Those numbers will tell you when your engine block was cast. The casting number itself indicates which engine you have, as does the engine serial number.

The cowl tag body number (74) means that your car was the 74th cabriolet built in the Atlanta, Georgia factory. The VIN number however was the number of the run at that factory which included all models manufactured in that factory.
:eek:

JYD, SO "L 22 1" MEANS DEC. 22, 1931? RIGHT.
THE VIN NUMBER IS THE ENGINE BLOCK NUMBER? 836573. OR IS IT THE JOB NUMBER? 32568? SORRY, I'M A SLOW LEARNER. GATOR :) :(

P.S. IN FRONT OF MY SEAT ON THE FLOOR IS A LAYER OF I/4" HARD BOARD (?), SO I MAY STILL HAVE A SILL PLATE UNDER THIS ADDED ON BOARD (I HOPE).

Yes, your engine was cast in December of 1931, which means that your car was probably made in early January of 1932. No, the casting number on the block is not the VIN number, nor is the engine serial number that is stamped on a machined pad behind the fuel pump. The VIN number is something totally different, and it is only in one location, on the passenger side wood main sill. An example of the VIN number is as follows: 6BA03 12345. The Job Number (32568) designates the model only, and it has nothing to do with the VIN number either. In this case the Job Number designates a 1932 cabriolet.

Since the VIN plate was located on the passenger side wood main sill, as mentioned above, it will not be under the hardwood that is on the floor board unfortunately. :eek:

SO IF THAT PLATE IS GONE I WILL NEVER KNOW MY VIN? :( :( :(

You won't....unless the VIN is on your title. Back then, some states used the engine serial number on the title, others used the VIN number, while others used neither. So, the only hope you have is that your title has the VIN number on it. If not, you will never know what it was. :( :eek: :( :eek: :( :eek:

Just a comment/question... I'm under the impression that the term "VIN" is a relatively new term. I doubt that it was used more than 10 or 20 years ago.... ??

If that's the case, then what was the proper term for the vehicle identification number back in the 1930's?

I have an original Sales Contract for a 1931 Chevrolet by General Motors Acceptance Corp. It describes the car with the following fields:

• Type of Body
• Model Letter
• Motor No.
• Manufacturer's Serial No.

So, my assessment is that the last two items were the normal numbers that were used to describe a car... not a "VIN" number. It would appear that there was no single identifier, but rather TWO numbers that were used to uniquely identify a car.

:confused:

Yes, "VIN number" is a relatively new term as you pointed out Billy Boy, however, we use that term so that dudes will know what we are talking about. "Manufacturer's Serial Number" would be a more proper term to use, but hardly anyone relates to it today except for really, really old duffers. Hum....hey Billy Boy....how old are you anyway?? :confused: :confused: :confused: :rolleyes:

CHECKED MY TITLE AND IT DOESN'T HAVE A NUMBER LIKE YOUR EXAMPLE, JYD. I THINK WHERE I LIVE THE STATE USES THE MOTOR NUMBER AS THE "VIN". THANKS FOR ALL OF THE INFORMATION GUYS. IT WAS GREAT. :) :)

Sure, glad to help! By the way, in California and here in Oregon, in the old days, they also used the engine serial number on the title as well. :eek: :(

HEY JUNKYARD DOG, I GET VIN MIXED UP WITH VINE, WHICH RELATES TO GRAPES IN THE MAKING OF WINE. MAYBE THATS MY PROBLEM WITH THE POP POP COMING OUT THE TAIL PIPE. TOO MUCH WINE AND NOT ENOUGH VIN??????YA :arrow: :arrow: :arrow: :arrow:

I believe I own this car now. Bought it in Gainesville / FL.

Still trying to find when car was manufactured.

Title has as VIN # 3037113, does that tell me something?

Regards,

My32Chevy

The number listed is the engine number. Prior to 1955 most states used the engine number for registration.
Your serial number is under the floor mat, right side, next to the door opening. The serial number will contain the month the car was assembled and where.

Thanks, but engine number is 836573 L 22 1 and I can't find tag. Will contact previous owner and see if it was removed/lost.

Thanks again,

Behind the fuel pump you will find a stamped number. See if that matched the title...Joe

That number is 836573, below it L 22 1 and below it the Chevy logo (tie). It does not match the title number.
Thanks,

That number is the casting number and date, not the engine number.
As noted the engine number is STAMPED into the raised pad next to the fuel pump.
L 22 1 indicates the block was cast Dec 22 1931.

The number on the title 3037113 is the engine serial number. First engine assembled in December 1931 was 2980954. First January 1932 assembled engine was 3046760 so the original engine in your car was assembled in late December 1931. The "L 22 1" casting date is consistent with that time period. If you look closer (may have to scrape off some paint) you should find the engine serial number on the machined pad just aft of the fuel pump. If the original engine it will be 3037113.

Dave Dawn put together a database of early sixes and found that 2-4 weeks after the engine was built the car was assembled. So that would put your car in early to late January. If the assembly plant was close to Flint (Atlanta?) it would most likely been built in early to mid-January as it would not take a rail car that long to get the engine from Flint to Atlanta. If Oakland then it might be a week or two later.

The car should have some of the early characteristics like straight cut gears in the transmission (also early trans serial number). The Body No. on the Fisher Body plate will low also.

Possible that it is not the original engine also. The actual serial number on the front floor will have the month that the car came down the assembly line.

I'm not aware that Don Boltz should his 1932 coupe. Last I heard he still owned it.

HI Skip. Glad to see your still kicking. I have not been on the chat site for a long time. Yes I still own my 32 Chevy. For $100.000 dollars I possibly would sell It?????????????????Maybe one day I will show up at your place and guzzle up some of that good beer suds. Take care. Don

Hey Don! Long time no hear! Anyway, I figured that My32Chevy was mistaken about the car that he owns and I pretty much knew that the car in question was not yours and that you still owned your '32. Thanks for the confirmation!

Stop by anytime and we will soak up a few suds and check out some Elvira photos!

What about the canopy express 1/2 ton? That was a passenger chassis? Also 1931 was the first year of chevrolet using there own canopy express body- buying out a contract company. There should be some numbers to support the production numbers as well - my 1931 came from tarytown, ny.

1931 Canopy Express is on 1/2 ton chassis. Sedan Delivery is on a passenger chassis.

Wow!!!! Based on my math....I'm going to buy Don's 32 coupe for $100.000! So that is one Ben Franklin!

I think that he has more than $100,000 in it for the restoration.

He's the one that typed $100.00, not me! LOL!!!

Sorry Bruce. You must of been dreaming numbers and accidently left out another ZERO. I Hope everything Is going good for you. Donny Two Shoes, First one at the starting gate, Last one at the finish line????? I knew I should not of tied those shoe laces together.

Thanks for all help. Getting ready to start restoration of my 32 Chevy.

From fire wall tag:

Job No 32568
Body No AG 74
Trim No 19
Paint No 95

Trying to contact previous owner (second for this car) to find out if they still have the car ID tag as I can't find it where you told me it was supposed to be.

Job Number 32568: 1932 Cabriolet

Body Number AG 74: Car made in Atlanta, and it was the 74th cabriolet made in that factory in 1932.

Trim 19: Tan Spanish Grain leather with a Tan Teal top.

Paint 95: Bangor Beige and Haverhill Brown with Cream Medium wire wheels.

Isn't AG Atlanta instead of Atlantic City?
With the motor being a late December casting and 74 an early body number can we assume the car is a most likely build in January 1932?
Regards,
Dan

Yes, that is correct. After I read my post I noticed that it should have been "Atlanta" so I corrected it. While I was replying to your post I received an email from a dude in Atlantic City, so Atlantic City was fresh in my mind and I typed that instead of Atlanta.

Any comment on my question?

With the motor being a late December casting and 74 an early body number can we assume the car is a most likely build in January 1932?

Regards,

Dan

Based on your engine's casting date and your car's body number, your cabriolet was most likely assembled in early January of 1932.

I think that the doggie didn't have his morning coffee or too much suds last night. Atlanta did have a Fisher Body plant in 1932. Atlantic City might have had illegal gambling by then. Boardwalk? yup as it got started in 1870.

I don't drink coffee!!

Me either. Maybe you should start! As I said in another post, we all make mistakes. Gets much easier the older we get. Particularly when the brain and fingers don't coordinate 100%.

YEP, One things for sure, Skipper has a good handle on the 32 ounce BEER glass??????????? No thinking there , Skippy

Let me know if you need some help with your Cabriolet, I have two of them.

I sure need help!!
Here are some concerns I have:
1) Missing rubber / etc at side windows. Would appreciate some pictures showing how it should be when restored properly.
2) Looking for a replacement fuel tank - mine is in such bad shape that I do not believe I can have it cleaned and treated making it still usable.
3) Can't find information on proper upholstery patterns (front seat, door panels, humble seat) and color samples for my car.
Beyond that the car is fairly complete and very solid.
Not sure if you can post pictures here but if you can't please email me at danvac1964@aol.com
Thanks for your help and I'm sure I will be asking for more of it!!
Regards,

I have several gas tanks to choose from, some better than others. The catalog is a little confusing on the differences between the tanks for a 30, 31 and a 32. Does anyone know if they interchange or how to tell a 32?

Thanks

Dave

The Aug. 1932 MPPL (parts book) lists:
U (1930)....Pass cars ...............Gas Tank Assy .....357637
Ind (1931)..Pass SDL(single float)...Gas Tank Assy .....366910
C (1932)....Series BA (Pass).........Gasoline Tank .....368269

My favorite parts book '45 edition of '29-'42 lists:
1930-31.....Pass, SDL......Tank with filler neck........366910
1932........Pass ..........Tank w/o filler neck ........368269

The 1930 tank originally used a double float sending unit (called gauge by Chev parts). Sometime in late 1930 or early 1931 that was replaced by a single float unit. (Maybe the Doggie can tell us exactly when.) So a single gas tank was supplied for those two year models. Apparently the 1932 tank is different. Never knew that and obviously don't know the difference. How 'bout that Skipper?

Dave --

Can't take this to the bank, but growing up, we had 2 32's, one a 2 dr coach and the other a 5 window coupe and both of them had a spring loaded cap on them. There was a rod attached to cap and that went to the bottom of a coiled spring, that spring apparently screwed into the filler neck. Had to hold the cap up against tension to insert fuel nozzle. My 31 does not have that feature. Another nice feature of the spring loaded cap, couldn't get a siphon hose into take to steal gas.

Jim.

Still trying to find an original replacement fuel tank for my 1932 Chevrolet Cabriolet.
Any suggestions?
Thanks for the help.

The Filling Station has new original 1932 gas tanks. They are $500 each. www.fillingstation.com

Getting OLD(er) is a great excuse for making mistakes...

Hey,

So I have some pictures of how the rubber goes on the side windows, so I can help you there.

On the tank, I would call Kent, he is making a beautiful reproduction and you would never know it's not an original tank.

You can get all the upholstery information you need, just let me know. You want what is called Tan Spanish Grain.

Just wanted to not, you are missing the correct Cabriolet window crank handles....they are longer then the other Fisher Body cars.

Bruce

Thanks Bruce.
Can you email me the pictures showing the rubber for windows and how it is installed? danvac1964@aol.com
Also Kent's contact information.
Have both window cranks. Missing passenger side door crank.
Regards,
Dan