The Ford Barn

ActionYobbo · 09-19-2023, 02:40 PM

I have noticed watching Canadian videos dealing with restoring early fords that they have a vin on the firewall. Is that something unique to Canada done by ford or was it a dealer thing? Was it done in other parts of the world?
I mainly watch 37 to 40 ford builds.
The latest video is a guy who I assume is Canadian working on a 1938 pickup

DavidG · 09-19-2023, 03:41 PM

It was a Canadian production practice, at least pre-WWII. I am unaware of the practice employed elsewhere, but since all of the vehicles sold in the British Commonwealth (except in the United Kingdom) were either Canadian exports or made from SKD and KD kits from Canada, the practice would show up on vehicles all around the world.

Also unique to the Canadian vehicles was the absence of a U.S. patent plate on the firewall even though the four holes for attaching that plate there are often present.

Graeme / New Zealand · 09-19-2023, 08:14 PM

Here's a picture of my NZ assembled 48 VIN. There is no US patent plate nor holes for such on the firewall. These cars were KD from the Commonwealth plant in Ontario. Just as a note, it appears no care was taken to place these things on straight.

GB

Krylon32 · 09-19-2023, 08:21 PM

I bought a 32 sedan this spring and the title VIN matched numbers on a factory plate on the firewall. New owner took the car to the local inspection station where they verified the title match and he sent the inspection sheet to the state DMV and they issued him a clear title for 1 32 Ford tudor sedan?

Newc · 09-19-2023, 09:53 PM

'48 mercury PU [m-47] had a two screw vin plate on firewall. Newc

ActionYobbo · 09-20-2023, 08:38 AM

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)

Thanks for the replies. I see the tag is screwed on. The Canadian one in the videos were stamped into the metal just above the bend in the fire wall opposite the battry tray aka deivers side of thd firewall.

coolcoupe · 09-21-2023, 02:44 PM

The number that's stamped on the firewall next to the voltage regulator is the same number that's stamped on the back of the engine in my Canadian car meaning the engine was there from the factory. I thought all the cars had these stamping on them.

DavidG · 09-21-2023, 07:03 PM

I need to backtrack as I got around to checking my '33 Canadian coupe. The body number is stamped on the firewall in the same place a body number tag would be attached on a U.S.-built car. The engine number (VIN) is not stamped on the firewall, but rather only on the usual location atop the left side frame adjacent to the steering gear box.

09-19-2023, 02:40 PM	#1
ActionYobbo Member Join Date: Dec 2022 Posts: 99	Vin on body? A Canadian thing? I have noticed watching Canadian videos dealing with restoring early fords that they have a vin on the firewall. Is that something unique to Canada done by ford or was it a dealer thing? Was it done in other parts of the world? I mainly watch 37 to 40 ford builds. The latest video is a guy who I assume is Canadian working on a 1938 pickup __________________ I am building a 1939 1 ton express Last edited by ActionYobbo; 09-19-2023 at 02:50 PM.

09-19-2023, 03:41 PM	#2
DavidG Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: southeastern Michigan Posts: 10,102	Re: Vin on body? A Canadian thing? It was a Canadian production practice, at least pre-WWII. I am unaware of the practice employed elsewhere, but since all of the vehicles sold in the British Commonwealth (except in the United Kingdom) were either Canadian exports or made from SKD and KD kits from Canada, the practice would show up on vehicles all around the world. Also unique to the Canadian vehicles was the absence of a U.S. patent plate on the firewall even though the four holes for attaching that plate there are often present.

09-19-2023, 08:21 PM	#4
Krylon32 Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Posts: 4,489	Re: Vin on body? A Canadian thing? I bought a 32 sedan this spring and the title VIN matched numbers on a factory plate on the firewall. New owner took the car to the local inspection station where they verified the title match and he sent the inspection sheet to the state DMV and they issued him a clear title for 1 32 Ford tudor sedan?

09-19-2023, 09:53 PM	#5
Newc Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Posts: 2,488	Re: Vin on body? A Canadian thing? '48 mercury PU [m-47] had a two screw vin plate on firewall. Newc

09-20-2023, 08:38 AM	#6
ActionYobbo Member Join Date: Dec 2022 Posts: 99	Re: Vin on body? A Canadian thing? Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) Thanks for the replies. I see the tag is screwed on. The Canadian one in the videos were stamped into the metal just above the bend in the fire wall opposite the battry tray aka deivers side of thd firewall. __________________ I am building a 1939 1 ton express

09-21-2023, 02:44 PM	#7
coolcoupe Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: ontario,Canada Posts: 451	Re: Vin on body? A Canadian thing? The number that's stamped on the firewall next to the voltage regulator is the same number that's stamped on the back of the engine in my Canadian car meaning the engine was there from the factory. I thought all the cars had these stamping on them.

09-21-2023, 07:03 PM	#8
DavidG Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: southeastern Michigan Posts: 10,102	Re: Vin on body? A Canadian thing? I need to backtrack as I got around to checking my '33 Canadian coupe. The body number is stamped on the firewall in the same place a body number tag would be attached on a U.S.-built car. The engine number (VIN) is not stamped on the firewall, but rather only on the usual location atop the left side frame adjacent to the steering gear box.