1934 Terraplane VIN

Lance

Can anybody shed a little light about where the VIN is located for a 34 Terraplane? I got an email from a gent who wants to know where it is and what is looks like. This stuff is out of my territory.  I'd like to help him out.

StillOutThere

Of course it would be on the serial number plate on the firewall if it has remained on the car.   Beyond that, the original SN is stamped into the right front of the axle just outside the spring mounting IF the axle has not been replaced.  And if the rust has not eaten the frame surface, the SN is again stamped near the rear hanger of the right front spring on the outside upper face of the frame rail.   And it should be on the title if there is one.
Pics are from my '34 Terra.

Jon B

Wayne, do you know if the serial number is stamped in approximately the same position of the frame rail on the later 1930's Hudsons as well?    I have heard people say the number was stamped in the frame rail of (for example) the 1937's, in the general vicinity of the front axle, but I never actually knew where, or even if the number was on the SIDE or the TOP of the rail.  You have really pinpointed it and your photos are really helpful.

By the way, apparently Hudson did NOT stamp the number on the rear axle housing in 1934, as it did later in the decade.....correct?

Lance

Thanks for that information. I will pass it on.

StillOutThere

Jon, 

"Terraplane:  Serial Number:  On top of right rear cross member:  also on plate on dash under hood, upper right hand side; also right side of frame just ahead of front spring hanger, and on inside right hand door hinge pillar, just above upper hinge.   Motor Number:  On left side of cylinder block ahead of water inlet, also left front motor leg."

This is from the National Insurance Crime Bureau' CD, for sale to the public, which covers all 1937 - 2011 cars and specifically this is the 1937 "book" within the CD.   Several years earlier are covered in the '37 book as each succeeding year also reaches back.   Purchase at www.nicb.org   It is an unbelievable resource of model numbers, serial numbers, locations, and on and on.    These are THE BOOKS used by the law enforcement community and insurance industry to verify and clarify auto thefts.

I have not had body off frame of my '34 to verify if there is a number on the cross member above the axle nor can I recall if my '33 T8 had one there decades ago when it was a frame-up resto.

Jon B

Thanks, Wayne, I've never seen such a complete listing of the serial number locations before.  Previously, I had only thought it was located:

1.  On the plate on inside right hand door pillar (hinge pillar)
2.  Frame, passenger's side (in America, LOL!), somewhere around the front axle
3.  Top of rear axle housing, somewhere between differential and pass. side brake backing plate.

Didn't know about the plate on dash under hood (mine's gone, I guess), or top of right rear cross member (not sure exactly what is meant here: if it's a cross member how can it be "right" or "left"?).  Interestingly,, the National Insurance Crime Bureau folks omitted the rear axle housing.

Thanks for this information!

StillOutThere

I don't specifically know whether they mean the rear-MOST crossmember last in the frame or the one ahead of the fuel tank at which the shock absorbers mount.  Either one goes across from outer rail to outer rail and they are indicating it is to the right side of the car.
Can't begin to tell you how many answers this CD has provided since I purchased it.