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CAN ANYTHING BE DETERMINED FROM THE FOLLOWING NUMBER 1599272 ON A 1942 160
THANKS BOB

Should be eight numbers if it's a serial number. 1599 may signify convertible coupe, but there should be four numbers following, which would indicate sequential number starting with 2001. Where did you get the number?

I suspect you're missing a digit. 1599 would indicate a 1942 junior model "120" convertible coupe (chassis 2021). The second part of the number would be the sequential production number of that model and would have started with 2001 hence it should be 4 digits, not 3. But your comment that it's a "160" is not consistent - there was no "160" convertible coupes though fakes are not unknown where a "120" has been foisted off as a "160". What's the engine number?

Update: Let me correct myself, there was a "160" convertible couple in the 1942 lineup, it's VN prefix would have been 1579 (chassis 2023). The "160" had crank-out vent windows, the "120" has push-out. There are many other differences, some subtle, some easily swapped out, the largest being the engine and chassis. Brakes are different on the 160 (wider linings), wheels are 16" on the 160 and 15" on the 120, dash plastic is different, and more. Some of these are easily upgraded, some are not. I suspect if the VN plate is original to the car you're looking at a mongrel.

That number came from the title recorded as the vin number . Owner is advertizing the car as a 1942 160 two door Conv. (vent windows are push out no crank? ) Are there other items to check to determin if it is a 120 or 160 ? I will get additional numbers from the plate. Thanks Bob

The push-out windows are basically all you need to identify this car as a mongrel. It is the hardest part to change (other than swapping the body onto a Super 8 chassis), and for those who are faking them, they usually (if not always) forgo the full transformation.

Edited per ECAnthony:
Engine number will identify which engine, 120 or 160/180, and it's found on the top part of the block, about half way between the front and back. On the passenger's side.

On the passenger side of the engine, check the oil pump and the exhaust flange. The 356-cid (Super Eight) has a 6-bolt oil pump and a 4-bolt exhaust flange. The 282-cid (One Twenty, or "Eight" that year) had a 4-bolt oil pump and a 2-bolt exhaust flange.

Car does have a 356 engine I do not have the number yet. I found a old u-tube video of this car It was presented by a Ty Young a dealer in the Boston area.

Nice looking car, except for the side mounts and spot lights. The video doesn't show the interior, though.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FBfp7J6kOzQ

One other important thing to inspect are the radiator shutters. Are they thermostatically operated, or are they set in place. If they're rigid, it has the 120 grille. If they open and close, it is the 160/180 grille.

Hubcaps are pretty but incorrect.