The Ford Barn

desertdroog · 03-22-2013, 04:44 PM

Hello Ford Barn. I am a regular on the HAMB/Jalopy Journal board and I joined up here to learn about and understand what I recently acquired.

I rescued a 1948 Fordor with a flat 6 from a metal recyling yard, here in Phoenix, Az. I was thinking about applying for an abandoned title, as I do intend to sell this and not build it. Due to how complete it is.

So, when I have it inspected, does this year require numbers from both the engine block and the frame (drivers side by the front cross member? if my searches on this forum have served me well)? Or did these cars have a more official placard for legal purposes?

ford38v8 · 03-22-2013, 05:05 PM

Droog, Welcome to the Barn, Congrats and thanks for the rescue, and yes, you've done your homework well. The only ID that counts is the one on the frame rail.
If any way possible, it would be best to get possession of the proper title from the junk yard if they have it. In any case, they will be able to provide proof of their right to sell you the car. With no paperwork at all, a new owner wouild be obliged to post bond with the DMV to obtain temporary title subject to claim by whoever may come up with good paper on the car. As you intend to sell it, definitely a factor in the valuation of the car.

For the sale, consider posting ads here on the Barn, and also on the EFV8CA classified section. As you are a hotrodder, I sure hope a restorer has a crack at it! The Ford flat 6 is definitely a worthy engine, and the '48 Ford is relatively easy to find replacement parts for.

peewee2you · 03-22-2013, 06:11 PM

Driverside between steering gearbox and front frame crossmember - somewhere between those points on top of frame rail. If that doesn't do it, and your pretty sure it's complete original on top of trans bell housing the floorboard should have a metal tab that should allow a vague view of the number or take floor up and it will be on trans housing.

desertdroog · 03-22-2013, 09:12 PM

Thank you both ford38v8 and peewee2you.

I do intend to get this car into the hands of a restorer or someone who is a 46-48 Ford fan and can reuse the majority of the parts. I'm sure there are some Coupes and Tudors that can use some parts.

The Flat 6 does look to be in good condition, it does freely turn. I was going to spend some time and see if I could get it fired up in the meantime.

It is a 3 speed on the column, torque tube looks to be in place as well, so I'm pretty sure this is as original as it can be, despite the rear fenders. The rear fenders are from another sedan and it is missing the tail-lights and gas door, but for the most part, the car is complete. I took a quick glance under the car and the pan and spring pockets looked good. I will do a cleaning on it and get some pics of it when I get time. The interior is indeed thrashed, but there is still the original batting on both seats, but no fabric or leather covering. I have some paperwork from the metal recycle yard regarding the purchase and I think it had been under Farmers insurance up until 2011, which is strange; but I don't have the title.

If I don't sell it here on the Fordbarn classifieds, I intend to take it to Pomona for the LA Roadster show in June. Right now I just have a blurb on the HAMB in my signature that it is for sale, but no one has asked me about it yet.

Again, thanks for the information and help.

TJ · 03-22-2013, 09:50 PM

The ID number will be close to the front crossmember on the driver's side top frame rail. As I recall the number will start out with the star and then 1GA- and the sequential number

Mike in AZ · 03-22-2013, 11:49 PM

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welcome to the 'Barn...get hold of DMV, probably has the info on the website, etc...to find out what is necessary to title it....good luck and glad you saved it....Mike

desertdroog · 07-17-2013, 10:28 PM

I've had this car for four months listed on this forum and a few other places in the hopes that a restorer could open a dialog and get a crack at it. I also took it to LARS and only had a few people look at it, despite being told I had it priced correctly, no real interest or even haggling. I was tempted to title it, but if I go that route I think I will have a titled Fordor that won't sell any quicker. Once it cools down and summer is over, I intend to part it out.

peewee2you · 07-18-2013, 01:07 AM

desertdroog, If you can not find it on the frame rail, then on the floorboard is an inspection plate, I believe usually a metal tab that can be knocked out or bent up or down to see the number on the bell of the transmission, if the car has not been molested or changed from original than this number would match the one on the frame. Best of luck... the hard part would be if you took up the floorboard a bit more work, and if the heater is in the car under the dash, sometimes need to remove, so don't get in over your head.

Capn John · 07-18-2013, 03:47 AM

Go here for an excellent VIN rundown!!!
http://www.vanpeltsales.com/FH_web/f...ialnumbers.htm

and try and get an ORIGINAL title from the DMV, it'll be worth more

desertdroog · 10-12-2013, 02:47 PM

Sold the Sedan today to a very happy local Hot Rodder who intends to get the car up and running. I am glad that it went to someone who will use this car as a car and that I didn't have to part it out. The car was as clean as could be given the circumstances, heck it was cleaner than a car I owned from 1954, so thanks all here for the information this past year.

03-22-2013, 05:05 PM	#2
ford38v8 Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: SF Bay Area Posts: 7,285	Re: 1948 Fordor Vin question Droog, Welcome to the Barn, Congrats and thanks for the rescue, and yes, you've done your homework well. The only ID that counts is the one on the frame rail. If any way possible, it would be best to get possession of the proper title from the junk yard if they have it. In any case, they will be able to provide proof of their right to sell you the car. With no paperwork at all, a new owner wouild be obliged to post bond with the DMV to obtain temporary title subject to claim by whoever may come up with good paper on the car. As you intend to sell it, definitely a factor in the valuation of the car. For the sale, consider posting ads here on the Barn, and also on the EFV8CA classified section. As you are a hotrodder, I sure hope a restorer has a crack at it! The Ford flat 6 is definitely a worthy engine, and the '48 Ford is relatively easy to find replacement parts for. __________________ Alan

03-22-2013, 06:11 PM	#3
peewee2you Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Elk Grove, CA Posts: 663	Re: 1948 Fordor Vin question Driverside between steering gearbox and front frame crossmember - somewhere between those points on top of frame rail. If that doesn't do it, and your pretty sure it's complete original on top of trans bell housing the floorboard should have a metal tab that should allow a vague view of the number or take floor up and it will be on trans housing.

03-22-2013, 09:12 PM	#4
desertdroog Member Join Date: Mar 2013 Location: Phoenix, Az Posts: 39	Re: 1948 Fordor Vin question Thank you both ford38v8 and peewee2you. I do intend to get this car into the hands of a restorer or someone who is a 46-48 Ford fan and can reuse the majority of the parts. I'm sure there are some Coupes and Tudors that can use some parts. The Flat 6 does look to be in good condition, it does freely turn. I was going to spend some time and see if I could get it fired up in the meantime. It is a 3 speed on the column, torque tube looks to be in place as well, so I'm pretty sure this is as original as it can be, despite the rear fenders. The rear fenders are from another sedan and it is missing the tail-lights and gas door, but for the most part, the car is complete. I took a quick glance under the car and the pan and spring pockets looked good. I will do a cleaning on it and get some pics of it when I get time. The interior is indeed thrashed, but there is still the original batting on both seats, but no fabric or leather covering. I have some paperwork from the metal recycle yard regarding the purchase and I think it had been under Farmers insurance up until 2011, which is strange; but I don't have the title. If I don't sell it here on the Fordbarn classifieds, I intend to take it to Pomona for the LA Roadster show in June. Right now I just have a blurb on the HAMB in my signature that it is for sale, but no one has asked me about it yet. Again, thanks for the information and help. Last edited by desertdroog; 03-22-2013 at 09:24 PM.

03-22-2013, 09:50 PM	#5
TJ Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Napa,California Posts: 6,566	Re: 1948 Fordor Vin question The ID number will be close to the front crossmember on the driver's side top frame rail. As I recall the number will start out with the star and then 1GA- and the sequential number

03-22-2013, 11:49 PM	#6
Mike in AZ Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Waddell, AZ Posts: 2,540	Re: 1948 Fordor Vin question Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) welcome to the 'Barn...get hold of DMV, probably has the info on the website, etc...to find out what is necessary to title it....good luck and glad you saved it....Mike

07-17-2013, 10:28 PM	#7
desertdroog Member Join Date: Mar 2013 Location: Phoenix, Az Posts: 39	Re: 1948 Fordor Vin question I've had this car for four months listed on this forum and a few other places in the hopes that a restorer could open a dialog and get a crack at it. I also took it to LARS and only had a few people look at it, despite being told I had it priced correctly, no real interest or even haggling. I was tempted to title it, but if I go that route I think I will have a titled Fordor that won't sell any quicker. Once it cools down and summer is over, I intend to part it out.

07-18-2013, 01:07 AM	#8
peewee2you Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Elk Grove, CA Posts: 663	Re: 1948 Fordor Vin question desertdroog, If you can not find it on the frame rail, then on the floorboard is an inspection plate, I believe usually a metal tab that can be knocked out or bent up or down to see the number on the bell of the transmission, if the car has not been molested or changed from original than this number would match the one on the frame. Best of luck... the hard part would be if you took up the floorboard a bit more work, and if the heater is in the car under the dash, sometimes need to remove, so don't get in over your head.

07-18-2013, 03:47 AM	#9
Capn John Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: BIRTHPLACE OF SPEED, FLORIDA Posts: 531	Re: 1948 Fordor Vin question Go here for an excellent VIN rundown!!! http://www.vanpeltsales.com/FH_web/f...ialnumbers.htm and try and get an ORIGINAL title from the DMV, it'll be worth more

10-12-2013, 02:47 PM	#10
desertdroog Member Join Date: Mar 2013 Location: Phoenix, Az Posts: 39	Re: 1948 Fordor Vin question Sold the Sedan today to a very happy local Hot Rodder who intends to get the car up and running. I am glad that it went to someone who will use this car as a car and that I didn't have to part it out. The car was as clean as could be given the circumstances, heck it was cleaner than a car I owned from 1954, so thanks all here for the information this past year.