My first post on this sight

[37Chief]

I finally found the number on the frame. It was way to the back part of the frame It did match my pink slip. so I don't think I will have much trouble going through the Calif. DMV process. Was this number kind of a secret for a while back in the early years? Thanks for all the help everyone. Now I can start on the engine assembly. Stan

[TodFitch]

Thanks for the reply guys. Nothing so far matches my, pink last issued in 83. The motor must have been changed it is P2382995. As mentioned my pink has P23758148. My last hope is this number will be on the frame rail on the drivers side. Is this number accessable without removing the tire? Is it on the outside of the frame rail ?  As for posting pictures I am one of the 2% that hasen't masterd the picture posting yet. Trying to learn. Stan

Sometimes the stamped number on the frame is hard to find. I'd guess that you'll need to wire brush the outside of the frame rail for several feet in that area to have a chance of finding it. One alternative might be to get the build card which will show the serial number/engine number combination and see if the DMV will accept that and register the car with the serial number. With that information in hand, they could call Chrysler Historical Collection and confirm the information.

Long story: When I moved to Maryland I took my NY paperwork in that showed the engine number and a piece of paper where I wrote the serial number, engine number and body number I found on the car. I asked if they could to the MD paperwork to show the serial number rather than the engine number. The clerk disappeared for maybe 1/2 hour. When they came back the said "they match" and did as I requested. At the time I figured the clerk just did a coffee break but now I wonder if they were on the the telephone with the historians at Chrysler. When I moved to California they simply confirmed that the number barely visible on my painted over serial number plate matched the Maryland paperwork and issued the pink slip with the serial number. All this just to say that sometimes government clerks can be reasonable.

[37Chief]

Thanks for the reply guys. Nothing so far matches my, pink last issued in 83. The motor must have been changed it is P2382995. As mentioned my pink has P23758148. My last hope is this number will be on the frame rail on the drivers side. Is this number accessable without removing the tire? Is it on the outside of the frame rail ?  As for posting pictures I am one of the 2% that hasen't masterd the picture posting yet. Trying to learn. Stan

[mvair]

Hi,

I just registered y 1941 Plymouth that has not been registered since 1971. The pink slip issued in 1942 listed both the engine number and the seriel number on the door post. The pink slip issued in 1971 when I purchased the car only listed the engine number.

I registered the car yesterday and the DMV field representative said I could use which ever numuber I wanted. I stayed with the engine number since it is on the current pink slip. I still need to take the car to DMV or have a police office verify the numbers and car and sign the DMV verification form to complete the registration. I talk about this on the last video I posted on YouTube. You can watch it here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Run9pRC0Xqo

Mark

[RC Drown]

Stan,
Welcome to the POC forum, when you get a chance can you post some photos of Both the Plymouth and Indian?  Sure would be appreciated.
Bob

[TodFitch]

Hi Stan,

There were no VINs back then. The first year Plymouth used a VIN coding was 1958. The serial number on the driver door post is the number Chrysler tracked the car with. Some states used that number for registration, some used the engine number.

Your serial number is in the range of expected for 1951 Concords built in the Los Angeles plant with an engineering code of P22. At least it does when I substituted something above 1001 for the dashes you supplied. They also made them in 1952 with a little higher serial numbers, so if you supply a bit more numbers it would be possible to say if its a 51 or a 52.

Engine numbers start out with the engineering code of the vehicle, so in your case the engine was for the P23 line. I don't have my reference materials with me at the moment and I did not list it on the web site, but often the lower priced versions, like P22, had engines stamped with the higher priced versions (like P23).

Since your pink slip has a number starting with P23, it looks like it has your engine number on it. The engine number is stamped on the block just above the generator. If your engine has been changed out over the years, the original engine number is stamped on the driver side frame rail around the kick up for the rear axle. You can get the "build card" for your car from the Chrysler Historical Collection by sending them some money and your serial number. The build card will show the engine number the car was built with.

See my serial number/VIN decoder at http://www.ply33.com/Misc/vin

There is also an explanation of the different numbering systems used over the years on that page.

My experience with the California DMV has been that as long as one of the numbers match that on the paperwork you are okay.

[37Chief]

First my name is Stan I live in Southern Calif.I have a 52 Plymouth Concord coupe. My sign of 37Chief is because I own a 1937 Indian Chief.  My first question for the experts is: Where is the vin number on my 52 Concord?  There is a round tag on the drivers side door post front, it has vehicle number, of 2801 - - - - . The pink slip has a number of P2375 - - - -. This will drive the DMV nuts I'm sure. Last registured in 83. Any help appreciated. Stan