1956 vin question
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Freshman User
Joined: Aug 2012
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1956 vin question
Hello,
I just purchased a 56 f100 from a guy who had already done a lot of work to it. I am planning on finishing it over the next year or so.
My first question is the front clip was cut off and another grafted on. The research I have done says the only vin # would have been on the passenger side front clip. So now I have no vin on the truck. I have a clear title and
I plan on selling this truck (one day) so I want it to be completely legit. I was told I could just restamp it there. does that sound right? He also said a company out of texas charges about 100$ to remake a plate for the door but it is not a vin plate, just said what color/engine/tranny the truck had.
What do you guys think?
I just purchased a 56 f100 from a guy who had already done a lot of work to it. I am planning on finishing it over the next year or so.
My first question is the front clip was cut off and another grafted on. The research I have done says the only vin # would have been on the passenger side front clip. So now I have no vin on the truck. I have a clear title and
I plan on selling this truck (one day) so I want it to be completely legit. I was told I could just restamp it there. does that sound right? He also said a company out of texas charges about 100$ to remake a plate for the door but it is not a vin plate, just said what color/engine/tranny the truck had.
What do you guys think?
Hotshot
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 15,882
Likes: 88
From: Durham NC
I suggest you immediately contact your DMV office, speak with a supervisor and explain your situation. Each state has it's own methods of dealing with situations like yours. This I can tell you: 1. you cannot legally stamp your own VIN # in the frame. 2. The door post ID plate, original or not, is not the legal VIN#. 3. Get this straightened out before investing another dime in the truck. 4. Don't try to get around this, it could cost you your truck.
Elder User
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 851
Likes: 1
From: NE Washington
I'd suggest checking the frame anyway. Paul's (I'mSoQuazy) VIN was near the cab, as I recall. Mine is located by the front crossmember. If you can't locate it, then check with the licensing agency, preferably by calling the state office as not all local clerks are informed, especially with such an unusual situation. Best to you, keep us posted.
Tuned
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 374
Likes: 3
Hi polmonari and welcome to the club,
Any 53 - 56 Ford or Mercury frame I have ever seen has two locations where they stamped the vin numbers. The one mostly referred to is on top of the right frame rail above the steering axle area which you do not have but if you have the cab off you should also have the vin stamped into the top of the right frame rail about midway between the running board brackets. I have, I think, four or five Canadian built frames and they all have the vin numbers in both locations. My 56 C-500, U.S built, also has the vin number in both locations. I believe that the vins were put under the cab so they couldn,t be altered as easily. I don,t think that many people know that there are two locations on these frames. If you are good with a mirror and light you might find it with the cab still on the truck.
Good luck.
Any 53 - 56 Ford or Mercury frame I have ever seen has two locations where they stamped the vin numbers. The one mostly referred to is on top of the right frame rail above the steering axle area which you do not have but if you have the cab off you should also have the vin stamped into the top of the right frame rail about midway between the running board brackets. I have, I think, four or five Canadian built frames and they all have the vin numbers in both locations. My 56 C-500, U.S built, also has the vin number in both locations. I believe that the vins were put under the cab so they couldn,t be altered as easily. I don,t think that many people know that there are two locations on these frames. If you are good with a mirror and light you might find it with the cab still on the truck.
Good luck.
Logistics Pro
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 3,793
Likes: 19
From: Austin
Hi Polmari,
Hmmm... I think the reality is these are old trucks that have been owned by lot's of different people over their lives. As long as you have a valid title issued by your state - you are fine.
My truck is a 1950 F1 - We have a valid title issued in Texas. The "Vin #" on the title doesn't look like any Vin I've ever seen but there is a little metal tag in the glovebox with the same # & that's all the state wanted to see. The original firewall is gone, the passenger side frame has been woked over putting in the Mustang II IFS. No other frame #'s visible to me.
If you have a valid title - just cruise don't sweat it.
Good luck over there.
Ben in Austin
Hmmm... I think the reality is these are old trucks that have been owned by lot's of different people over their lives. As long as you have a valid title issued by your state - you are fine.
My truck is a 1950 F1 - We have a valid title issued in Texas. The "Vin #" on the title doesn't look like any Vin I've ever seen but there is a little metal tag in the glovebox with the same # & that's all the state wanted to see. The original firewall is gone, the passenger side frame has been woked over putting in the Mustang II IFS. No other frame #'s visible to me.
If you have a valid title - just cruise don't sweat it.
Good luck over there.
Ben in Austin
Elder User
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 851
Likes: 1
From: NE Washington
What you have Ben is a state assigned VIN. I once bought a '52 Chevy 2 Ton which had a modern VIN on the title, yet the original was still on the plate in the door jamb, an obvious DMV clerical error. DMV had me take it to a CHP inspection station where I met the rudest vehicle inspector to ever hold the position. She made me wait in the office while she checked for "hidden numbers", which she apparently could not find. She came back with the rating plate in her hand and had riveted in a new California assigned VIN plate. I was appalled, I couldn't understand why they just couldn't put the original VIN back on the title.
You are correct on the validity of the title. I just registered a trailer in Washington from Minnesota which has a state assigned VIN on the title that is different from the VIN stamped on the tongue. It even had brands on it from an Ohio assigned VIN that was identical, which Washington DOL removed from the title.
You are correct on the validity of the title. I just registered a trailer in Washington from Minnesota which has a state assigned VIN on the title that is different from the VIN stamped on the tongue. It even had brands on it from an Ohio assigned VIN that was identical, which Washington DOL removed from the title.
Lead Driver
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 8,093
Likes: 652
From: Brentwood, TN
Everyone feels strongly about this topic but each has a bias towards their own state. I am not sure how TN handles this matter but here are a few things to consider:
1. You have a 56 so there should be a data plate on the driver's side door jamb with the VIN and other data.
2. If you have clean paperwork for the truck then you can buy a new data plate that is stamped with the appropriate data from your title.
3. In California that is all that is necessary. As for stamping your VIN into the frame, I was told by a local Sheriff that I should do that on my truck because the original stamping went away when the PO installed an IFS.
Lots of people swear by frame stampings, others not so much. I use a VIN verifier here in SoCal and she only cares about the data plate. I really believe that the DMVs understand that over the course of 50+ years that these vehicles go through a lot of parts interchanges. If you have a clean title then you should be in good shape...check with your DMV and get the stright story before proceeding.
1. You have a 56 so there should be a data plate on the driver's side door jamb with the VIN and other data.
2. If you have clean paperwork for the truck then you can buy a new data plate that is stamped with the appropriate data from your title.
3. In California that is all that is necessary. As for stamping your VIN into the frame, I was told by a local Sheriff that I should do that on my truck because the original stamping went away when the PO installed an IFS.
Lots of people swear by frame stampings, others not so much. I use a VIN verifier here in SoCal and she only cares about the data plate. I really believe that the DMVs understand that over the course of 50+ years that these vehicles go through a lot of parts interchanges. If you have a clean title then you should be in good shape...check with your DMV and get the stright story before proceeding.
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Lead Driver
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 7,669
Likes: 13
From: San Jose, CA
The title could be from one truck, but the actual truck may be stolen. Something to think about.
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Hotshot
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 16,153
Likes: 4,753
From: Burbank, WA
Charlie is right, every state has different rules. It would be nice if there was some consistency. I can tell you if a vehicle with home made stamps were ever inspected by the Washington State Patrol, your vehicle would be impounded in an instant until they could get to the bottom of it, at your expense. And if you admitted doing it, you could go to jail.
Elder User
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 851
Likes: 1
From: NE Washington
Charlie is right, every state has different rules. It would be nice if there was some consistency. I can tell you if a vehicle with home made stamps were ever inspected by the Washington State Patrol, your vehicle would be impounded in an instant until they could get to the bottom of it, at your expense. And if you admitted doing it, you could go to jail.
Hotshot
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 15,882
Likes: 88
From: Durham NC
Remember the DMV employees are just that, and the DMV is not noted for hiring the brightest bulbs in the box. That's why I suggest speaking to a senior supervisor at your state DMV headquarters who is familiar with these obscure regulations.
Thread Starter
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Freshman User
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 31
Likes: 0
Hi polmonari and welcome to the club,
Any 53 - 56 Ford or Mercury frame I have ever seen has two locations where they stamped the vin numbers. The one mostly referred to is on top of the right frame rail above the steering axle area which you do not have but if you have the cab off you should also have the vin stamped into the top of the right frame rail about midway between the running board brackets. I have, I think, four or five Canadian built frames and they all have the vin numbers in both locations. My 56 C-500, U.S built, also has the vin number in both locations. I believe that the vins were put under the cab so they couldn,t be altered as easily. I don,t think that many people know that there are two locations on these frames. If you are good with a mirror and light you might find it with the cab still on the truck.
Good luck.
Any 53 - 56 Ford or Mercury frame I have ever seen has two locations where they stamped the vin numbers. The one mostly referred to is on top of the right frame rail above the steering axle area which you do not have but if you have the cab off you should also have the vin stamped into the top of the right frame rail about midway between the running board brackets. I have, I think, four or five Canadian built frames and they all have the vin numbers in both locations. My 56 C-500, U.S built, also has the vin number in both locations. I believe that the vins were put under the cab so they couldn,t be altered as easily. I don,t think that many people know that there are two locations on these frames. If you are good with a mirror and light you might find it with the cab still on the truck.
Good luck.
Hotshot
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 15,882
Likes: 88
From: Durham NC
53-55 the ID plate was attached to the glove box door. In 56 they moved it to the door pillar. They did have the ID # on the plate. VIN #'s didn't come about until many years later. In 1981 The government mandated the current 13 digit standardized VIN# when computerized records and cross state searches became standardized. Before that each manufacturer had a different method for designating the ID of their cars. Even though the ID plate makes it easy to check the serial # like the dashboard plate makes it easy to check the VIN# on modern vehicles, neither is the legal #. Only the stamped # on the chassis is the legal identifier.
Lead Driver
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 8,093
Likes: 652
From: Brentwood, TN
As I said earlier, you will hear a lot of "facts" that may or may not be applicable to you in TN. Do your homework to see what the TN DMV requires...but one thing that will surely "ease your pain" is a data plate with the correct info stamped on it that hass been properly mounted on the door jamb. I don't know who you are speaking with regarding a new data plate but I recommend Midfifty as a reliable source. A copy of your paperwork and the data that you want stamped is all you need (besides the $125 that is)...here's a copy of the page from their catalog for your reference: