Re: vin help

Posted by Owen_Dyneto On 2008/1/23 18:32:30

Just commenting on the advice you've already gotten, a 1953 long-wheelbase VN would begin with 2650 for a limousine (divider window) or 2651 for an executive sedan (no divider window). Both are on the 149 inch wheelbase. The correct engine numbers for these chassis should be between L-60001 and L-607829. If the car has the 149 inch wheelbase, it can't be a Clipper model as suggested by your VN plate, but perhaps it's a 54; the body numbers would be 5450 and 5451 and the engine number range is M-600001 to M-605618. There may also be a body number tag on the cowl near the heater which would either be the Briggs sequence number (all except the lwb cars) or the Henney # (lwb cars) which should also clarify things. The large embossed number on the cowl is the "thief-proof" number and could be used to differentiate a 53 from a 54, but not much more as there is no remaining record of these, just members like myself who have been collecting them for decades and can sometimes decode them.

I suppose changing the VN tag on the door jam sometimes happens but it's generally illegal to tamper with a VN and when it's done with valuable collector cars its often the sign of a bogus car.