Vin decoding

[cheno2]

I know this is a B-body thread, but have aquired a old Dodge 4 dr sedan from the in-laws. I believe it to be 47-49 era. Title can't be found so need to have documentation as to what it is and year for the state treasurers office to apply for lost title. Any help where to go to get that info would be a great help. THANKS

 

[71airgrabberRR]

If memory serves me correctly, back then they used the serial number on the engine as a source of vehicle ID. I believe the VIN info like we are used to came about 10 years or so later. I did a valve job once on a 1954 Plymouth Belvedere that had a flat head 6 in it, and the engine serial number was used to register the vehicle. The reason they changed over to a body mounted VIN tag is this: What do you do with a car that has a blown engine???

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Again going from memory, the engine serial number was located on the side of the block, above the side cover that allowed access to the lifters. ( on a six) I don't think Chrysler started using V8 engines until 1954. They mainly had straight sixes and eights. Please don't quote me on the specific dates of when the engines came out.

 

[cheno2]

Thanks for the info.