Little late with this, but the serial number (VIN) will be stamped on a plate attached to the driver's door hinge post (1947 to 1967) or the front passsnger side hinge post (mid-1930 through 1946). It will also be stamped on the chassis frame, right side, just behind the front axle/suspension. This number was stamped by hand so it will not always be easy to see. Even more so after decades of rusty and mud. Earlier models had the number stamped on the right side of the frame, just ahead of the front leaf spring rear hanger. The plate on the firewall is the data plate - will give information on shipping order number, scheduled date of assembly, body style, exterior colours, interior trim and options. When Briggs was building bodies for Chrysler there would also be a Briggs Body tag with the model number and sequential body number. The engine number was stamped on the engine nlock, left side toward the front, just below the cylinder head on the in-line engines while the early hemi V8 numbers were stamped on the top front of the block under the water outlet elbow. The engine number was also stamped on the frame in various locations over the years, - left side of frame, just ahead of the rear wheel - centre of frame - on the frame above rear spring But the serial number on the pillar plate should match the number stamped into the chassis frame. Some states used the engine number as an identifier as engine numbers were in existence prior to the use of serial numbers. Also, both Ford and Packard used engine numbers into the post-WWII era, with Ford not adopting a separate serial number (VIN) until 1949 in the U.S. (1946 in Canada). The problem with engine numbers, of course, is that is you change the engine, you lose the number. Bill Vancouver, BC ----- Original Message ----- From: Henry Hopkins To: mailing-list@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx Sent: Wednesday, December 14, 2005 4:36 PM Subject: IML: 40 Windsor/53 Chrysler Does that explain why the number on the title for our 53 Chrysler is not the same as the number on the plate on the firewall(I believe)??? Are we saying that the engine number or a number on the frame is the VIN number that shows on the title??? We have not tried to register the car yet but have done one of those out of state Bill of Sale things to get the title number to agree with the tag. It would be much easier if there was a number somewhere else on the car that agreed with the title number. Hope this helps to solve the mystery. Thanks, Henry ----- Original Message ----- From: Bob Kinker To: mailing-list@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx Sent: Wednesday, December 14, 2005 12:40 PM Subject: RE: IML: 1940 Windsor These older cars were identified by the engine number. From: mailing-list-owner@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx [mailto:mailing-list-owner@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx] On Behalf Of Frederick Joslin Sent: Wednesday, December 14, 2005 2:40 PM To: mailing-list@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx Subject: IML: 1940 Windsor This is from the Allpar Forum. Any takers. http://www.allpar.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=69848 "Have just purchased a 1940 Chryler Windsor 4 dr and am trying to locate the vehicle identification number on THE FRAME. Have found the plate on the passenger front door jamb. I need to locate the one stamped into the frame so that the local department of motor vehicles can inspect and verify same for title and registration. Can anyone be of help ? Appreciate it." Fred Joslin ----------------- http://www.imperialclub.com ----------------- This message was sent to you by the Imperial Mailing List. Please reply to mailing-list@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx and your response will be shared with everyone. Private messages (and attachments) for the Administrators should be sent to webmaster@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx To UN-SUBSCRIBE, go to http://imperialclub.com/unsubscribe.htm