I dropped my newly purchased 1973 F100 off for an inspection and the mechanic said he couldn't do the inspection because their was no dash/window VIN tag. He said he called the Missouri Highway Patrol and they said that if it doesn't have a dash/window tag, it has been altered.

Now, I've never had a 73 but my older Fords don't have the dash/window VIN plate like modern cars and this truck appears to be 100% original and unmolested.

I can easily see the VIN on the right frame rail in the engine compartment but nowhere else (except the door jam sticker and warranty tag).

Is there usually a tag or is mine consistent with other 1973 ford f100 trucks?

 

All the ones I have had were on the door, and firewall. I'm sure the vin is on the frame, but I have never looked for one. I wonder if the vins were moved to the dash when they went to 16(?) digits?

 

Whoever your mechanic spoke with is wrong. Your truck does not have a "Vin" tag. The VIn's on these are stamped into the frame rail on the passenger side. The problem you are running into is that most current Law Enforcement officers haven't been around long enough. Many weren't even born when your truck was made. I would ask them to refer to a NATB (National Auto Theft Book) for 1973. It will give the location of the public VIN, so they can confirm with your mechanic. If they don't have a 73 NATB book, Ask them to contact an investigator from NICB (National Insurance Crime Bureau). An NICB investigator should be able to help them with the information you need.

 

Thanks! That's what I thought. Hopefully he'll be cool when I drop the knowledge on him. The weird part is, the guy has been in business around here forever. Certainly since before 1973.

 

I am getting ready to inspected next month mine is a 74 F250 hopefully I wont run in to the same problem. Thanks for the info I might need to use that info as well.

 

These trucks do not have a VIN tag, as it was not required by law back then.

However, passenger cars beginning in 1968 have it.

The VIN tag fits on the extreme left (drivers) side at the edge of the dash, where it butts up to the windshield, and is plainly visible thru the windshield.

Since there's no place for it...it's kinda obvious none was ever installed.

The on-going problem is...people are unaware of the laws, many of them are too young to know diddly-squat, and...

Because cars of this vintage have it, they think the trucks are supposed to have one, too.

I'm not 100% sure, but I believe 1980 was the first year trucks were required...by law...to have a VIN tag.

 

1980 sounds right to me too Bill, but alas, unlike you I threw out most of my professional book when I retired.