Re: VIN or chassis number from engine number

Posted by Owen_Dyneto On 2017/9/27 16:16:12

Can be a complex topic, if you can, narrow down the time frame for a better response.

The only time a chassis number actually appeared on a car is when it was part of the vehicle number for the sale of a "chassis only" as in the sale of a bodyless chassis for custom coachwork. Other than that uncommon occurrence, chassis numbers were not applied to the vehicle.

Packard used vehicle numbers, motor numbers, and in earlier cars frame numbers, axle numbers, and between 1929 and 1956 body serial or theft-proof numbers. Steering gears, transmissions and differentials often also had unique numbers.

But yes, if the engine is original to the car, some identification of the chassis is possible but not always back to the exact chassis but perhaps to several similar chassis differing in wheelbase.