Go Back   The Ford Barn > General Discussion > Early V8 (1932-53)

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)

Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
Old 08-16-2019, 08:58 PM   #1
evobuilder
Junior Member
 
evobuilder's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: Tustin, CA
Posts: 29
Default 1932 serial number starts with D5

I just bought a very hot rodded 32 Roadster with a serial that starts with "D5". The frame does not look like a standard 32 (see my other thread where I realized I have something different).

So.... now I am being told the "D" frames are super rare (too late, this one has been boxed and modded), but I am trying to understand the D frames over the 18- frames.

I did search, I did hunt, and I found a ton of information, but noting related to the "D" serial number.

This is my first 32, so I have a lot to learn, but the "D" is throwing me.
evobuilder is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-16-2019, 09:52 PM   #2
Charlie Stephens
Senior Member
 
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Southern California
Posts: 7,017
Default Re: 1932 serial number starts with D5

I have had my '32 since 1969 and am a trivia nut. I have never heard of a D frame. Any chance you could post a picture of the serial number? Where is it located?

Charlie Stephens

Last edited by Charlie Stephens; 08-16-2019 at 11:42 PM.
Charlie Stephens is offline   Reply With Quote
Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)
Old 08-16-2019, 10:19 PM   #3
Bored&Stroked
Senior Member
 
Bored&Stroked's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: Central Ohio
Posts: 5,012
Default Re: 1932 serial number starts with D5

I think the 'D' is for "Dons's Hot Rods" . . . just kidding . . . I have no clue.

But I have seen many creative serial numbers on custom builds - somehow they have managed to get past the local DMVs.
Bored&Stroked is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-16-2019, 11:18 PM   #4
DavidG
Senior Member
 
DavidG's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2010
Location: southeastern Michigan
Posts: 10,069
Default Re: 1932 serial number starts with D5

The surviving engine production figures in the Benson Ford Research Center for the '32 model year are among the most detailed for any pre-WWII model year. The entries in the Rouge engine log are in many instances daily. There are AB, ABF, B, and BF prefix entries for the fours and 18 and 18F prefix entries for the eights. All of which were the prefixes of '32 model U.S. VINs and those of U.S. exports. (An additional B was added to the fours' prefixes when the engine was destined for a big truck and BB was added to V8s' prefixes for that purpose.)

The first batch of Canadian fours' full prefix was either CBG and CBGF; the second and last batch prefixes were CBQ and CBQF. The letter D does show up in the prefixes of the first batch of Canadian V8s, but not at the beginning. Rather those prefixes were C18D and C18DF (the second and last batch were prefixed C18R and C18RF).

Could a Canadian frame have the first two letters missing from the prefix? It's a possibility, although a real long shot. Even if that were the case, the frame would be a mid-year run-of-the-mill version and have nothing unique about it other than missing a letter and two numbers in the engine number (VIN) prefix, given the delay in Job #1 on the south side of the Detroit River compared to Job #1 on the north side of the river in Dearborn.

You should satisfy yourself and visit the Benson Ford Research Center. What they have in Ford's archives regarding '32 engine production and serialization is not available on line.
DavidG is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-16-2019, 11:41 PM   #5
VeryTangled
Senior Member
 
VeryTangled's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2010
Location: (Not far enough...) Outside of DC
Posts: 3,386
Default Re: 1932 serial number starts with D5

Quote:
Originally Posted by DavidG View Post
You should satisfy yourself and visit the Benson Ford Research Center.
The absolutely most fascinating library I have ever visited.
__________________
-Jeff H

Have you thought about supporting the Early Ford V-8 Foundation Museum?
VeryTangled is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-17-2019, 01:18 AM   #6
evobuilder
Junior Member
 
evobuilder's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: Tustin, CA
Posts: 29
Default Re: 1932 serial number starts with D5

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)
a hot rod shop up the street by me also has a title with a D serial for a 32 Ford. So it's not just me.
evobuilder is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-17-2019, 05:22 AM   #7
DavidG
Senior Member
 
DavidG's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2010
Location: southeastern Michigan
Posts: 10,069
Default Re: 1932 serial number starts with D5

Unless you can share some photos as to why your frame and that of your neighbor are somehow unique, my guess is that somewhere along the way the VINs were re-issued by the State of California or some other jurisdiction when an engine was replaced, not a rare occurrence. The VIN prefixes per se do not prove the frame(s) are unique. Also, "very hot rodded" cars tend not to be a reliable source for original vehicle configurations. For example, the car in your avatar appears to be missing the back 10 % of its original frame.


Another alternative is that 87 years of aging has obliterated enough of what was originally a B to appear to be a D. The full four cylinder numbers were AB or B followed by a seven digit number commencing in 5.

Last edited by DavidG; 08-17-2019 at 08:52 AM.
DavidG is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-17-2019, 07:32 AM   #8
Charlie Stephens
Senior Member
 
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Southern California
Posts: 7,017
Default Re: 1932 serial number starts with D5

Quote:
Originally Posted by evobuilder View Post
a hot rod shop up the street by me also has a title with a D serial for a 32 Ford. So it's not just me.
How about a little more of the number, replacing the last three digits with "XXX" if you are concerned? Asking again, where are you finding this number and how about a picture, again blanking out the last three digits if you are concerned?

Charlie Stephens
Charlie Stephens is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-17-2019, 09:59 AM   #9
rotorwrench
Senior Member
 
rotorwrench's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: San Antonio, Texas
Posts: 16,369
Default Re: 1932 serial number starts with D5

With two similar frames in close proximity of each other that are out of the norms gives a feeling that there may be a local interrelation of these units. There have been a lot of frames fabricated from American Stamping Corporation rails as well as others. The possibility of private fabrication outside of Ford Motor Co & affiliates is there plus the possibility of state issued identification numbers is also there.

The popularity of the 1932 Fords is such that there are a lot of known clones out there since the originals are all finite in number and harder to source for sale these days. The popularity reflects the asking prices of these cars when they are for sale so they can be an expensive investment. Laws have been relaxed somewhat to allow for cloning as long as the rules are followed for each state affected.
rotorwrench is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-17-2019, 10:38 AM   #10
Mart
Senior Member
 
Mart's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Solihull, England.
Posts: 8,732
Default Re: 1932 serial number starts with D5

If it is an original frame, stamped by Henry's men, the numbers will be of a distinctive type face. (font).

A pic of the frame and the numbers would help. Just cover over the last few digits if you like.
Mart is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-17-2019, 12:18 PM   #11
evobuilder
Junior Member
 
evobuilder's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: Tustin, CA
Posts: 29
Default Re: 1932 serial number starts with D5

funny thing is.... the two frames are in close proximity now, but mine came from Indiana, the other is in So Cal.
Capture.jpg
evobuilder is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-17-2019, 12:33 PM   #12
Charlie Stephens
Senior Member
 
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Southern California
Posts: 7,017
Default Re: 1932 serial number starts with D5

Quote:
Originally Posted by evobuilder View Post
funny thing is.... the two frames are in close proximity now, but mine came from Indiana, the other is in So Cal.
Attachment 404452
Is the number stamped into the actual frame and can you post a photo and give the location where it is stamped or is it just on the paperwork? How about a photo of the whole vehicle? It is beginning to look like you have a number assigned by a state DMV. That old California pink slip takes me back in time. When you register it (I assume you haven't yet), assuming that is the pink you plan to use, some DMV people will try to charge for back registration, there is a way around it but it don't know the details. Keep looking for a DMV clerk that knows how to waive the back fees (or call Sacramento for help).

Charlie Stephens

Last edited by Charlie Stephens; 08-17-2019 at 12:49 PM.
Charlie Stephens is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-17-2019, 01:24 PM   #13
Bob C
Senior Member
 
Join Date: May 2010
Location: So Cal
Posts: 8,712
Default Re: 1932 serial number starts with D5

Any chance that number could be from a factory rebuilt engine? There are
Model A engines starting with RF=Richmond Ford or LB= Long Beach.


Bob
Bob C is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-17-2019, 01:42 PM   #14
deuce lover
Senior Member
 
deuce lover's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Southern France
Posts: 5,279
Default Re: 1932 serial number starts with D5

Whats with the body type" LGHTDL" ?
deuce lover is online now   Reply With Quote
Old 08-17-2019, 03:44 PM   #15
Carl
Senior Member
 
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Ingleside,TX
Posts: 410
Default Re: 1932 serial number starts with D5

I'm not familiar with California titles but the model "LGHTDL" could signify light delivery. The DR in the VIN # could mean its an assigned # from the Department of Registrations in the state of California.
Carl is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-17-2019, 03:50 PM   #16
37 Cab
Senior Member
 
37 Cab's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2014
Location: Miami Oklahoma
Posts: 535
Default Re: 1932 serial number starts with D5

I have had a couple vehicles and trailers with Calif. assigned VINs and they all started with CA.
__________________
Tommy
37 Cab is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-18-2019, 09:49 AM   #17
34pickup
Senior Member
 
34pickup's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Huntsville Al
Posts: 1,526
Default Re: 1932 serial number starts with D5

There are possibly more reproduction frame rails out there today than there are originals.
__________________
Matt 24:36-41
34pickup is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-18-2019, 11:21 AM   #18
rotorwrench
Senior Member
 
rotorwrench's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: San Antonio, Texas
Posts: 16,369
Default Re: 1932 serial number starts with D5

That's a 1958 registration so no telling what that number comes from. It's listed at 4-cylinder which would have been a B or AB motor. B motors were used as industrial engines just like the A engines were but I have no idea what the numbers were assigned to industrial and agricultural applications by Ford Motor Co.

DavidG knows more about these models than most any one else on the board and he literally wrote the 1932 book available from the EFV8 club. It's definitely not a normal frame number as he describes. If there was some special number set up by Ford, I think he would know about it after all the research at Benson Ford and years of 1932 experience.
rotorwrench is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-18-2019, 11:49 AM   #19
deuce_roadster
Senior Member
 
deuce_roadster's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: Shelton, WA
Posts: 3,777
Default Re: 1932 serial number starts with D5

The class being "AE" might be assembled early or something like that which would be a clue.
deuce_roadster is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-18-2019, 01:21 PM   #20
DavidG
Senior Member
 
DavidG's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2010
Location: southeastern Michigan
Posts: 10,069
Default Re: 1932 serial number starts with D5

Mike,

With respect, I seriously doubt AE stands for assembled early. How would the State of California know that, even if it were true? In fact, no four-cylinder passenger cars were produced until more than a month after the vehicle Job #1 of the 1932 model year on March 10th, despite more than 40,000 four-cylinder engine-transmission assemblies having already been manufactured. It was all about the new V8 and everything was put on hold until production versions of it became available commencing on March 7th.
DavidG is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off

Forum Jump

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)


All times are GMT -5. The time now is 03:23 PM.