Re: Engine numbers

Posted by Fish'n Jim On 2023/3/17 15:22:43

Glad that's confirmed.
ps:
It would have had to be a later engine adapted in a "50", if was a 51-54 engine number as proposed.
I went back and checked the Neal book, to make sure, and there were ~23000 '49s that were unsold and renumbered as '50. The 23 series('49) started late as there were unsold '48s 22's as well(sold as '49s). '49 sales were short of projections and production was cut to allow for the normal '50 change over time period. Almost equal number 23 series in both year produced. '50>'49 produced, but more "'50s" for sale.
'50 production as 23's until end of Jul and 24th came in Oct. 24th would be '51. That book stops at '50, so I have no info on unsold '50s, etc. of later.

There were no "VIN"s required prior to '54. Each manufacturer had their own numbering until '68 FMVSS 115 enacted.
We found going back that some states, would title new in the year of sale, not the year of manufacture, so a lot depends when and where. eg; My uncle's '37 was really a '38 when I posted it's picture here according to the gurus, but was titled in OH '37. eg: GA didn't have titles until FED safety law in '64. Prior to '64, lots of GA et al cars with no titles, including my '49 2365 which came from GA. I had to apply in SC though their process. Until '69 all required it's a grey area.