Hey guys i am picking up a 51 ford f1 from a local guy. it has been barn kept since 1968 when they had a carb problem they couldnt fix. well the problem with it is the man who owned back in the 60s has passed away. i tried to find the vin on the glove box but the first few digits are covered up by a bolt that has now been in there for 60 years and wont easily come out. i have read that it is stamped on the frame right infront of the motor mount. but can anyone be more specific or maybe even reply with a picture so i will know where to scrape the surface rust off to start looking for the vin so that i can try and get a clear title instead of a bonded title.

or maybe if anyone has a different way for me to get the title that would be wonderful too.

thanks guys and i am sorry if i broke any rules with this post.

 

The first few digits you can't make out would just identify the model: F1, the engine: R or H and the year:1

If your engine is a six cylinder the prefix would be F1H1 *****

If your engine is the V8 the prefix would read F1R1 *****

Usually the frame serial number is located near the front motor mount on the passenger side, but some assembly plants stamped them on the driver's side. You might find it on either. Also adding to the confusion, some plants stamped them back toward the steering gearbox. These are lightly stamped so you'll have to look closely.

Scrape off the years of crud, then scrub with fine steel wool. Shine a light at an angle across the top of the frame rail. It should start with a star and end with a star.

 

Look on top of the frame rail adjacent to the right front shock .Scrub & wire brush , it will be there .

 

Here's the front portion of the frame (this one's from a 52, but no difference for your case). Look at the right frame rail pictured on the left side. Find the two rivets holding the front engine mount bracket in place. The VIN should be stamped forward of the last rivet towards the front.




Here's what the VIN should look like.

 

I wish yall had posted these a year ago when i had my truck down to the frame.

 

I wish you would have asked.

 

My 1951 Ford F1 vin or serial number is RISP14780 which is on my title card only 9 digits. Is that an odd number?

 

it was built in st paul and had a flat 8

 

Thanks much for the Info on the vin and a fast reply must I say. I had to apply for my title after my dad lost it many years ago. Truck was parked in 1974 and put in a shed. Good shape for its age, going to try and sell it now for my dad, got my new title already from the state. Neat little truck!

 

1951 Ford F1 original - Redwood Falls

 

239 V8 it has

 

Looks like you serial sequence on the title is missing the "F1". It should be F1R1SP14780.

 

I wonder if this was simply the practice in MN back then. I too have a '51, an F-3 model, that I hauled home from MN. The old title on it also does not reflect the first two (model) digits of the serial number. Why would they do that? Wonder if Havi has any old MN iron with similar paper. Stu

 

After talking with some Minnesota Car clubs on Classic old cars today they told me same thing, Minnesota did not always add the F1 etc to the first part of the title. Oh well I kept it the way they had on the old Insurance card for the new title. Any one knows its an F1

 

More info found talked with a guy in Idaho today his vin started out same as mine for a 1951 f3 pickup made in Chicago his was Rich14587 that was on the title and the glove box he said. Said he had to take the original glove out and had a new one put in from a place called Blue Oval. Sure is fun doing all this research.