1956 VIN & Frame Number don't match | Ford Thunderbird club group 1955-2005 T-Bird models

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1956 VIN & Frame Number don't match

  • Thread starter Thread starter rdeleo
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R

rdeleo

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Thunderbird Year
1956
Have a pretty high quality 1956. Looking at numbers I find that the VIN tag number and the frame number are off, but only by 2. That seems strange. Can it be a factory change or is it a non matching car? Non matching seems strange in how would someone find a frame and body only 2 numbers off? It, according to documents, went through a frame-off restoration, 10 years ago, at 35k miles and now has 41k. All else seems correct including the hardtop. Thanks, R

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rdeleo said:
Have a pretty high quality 1956. Looking at numbers I find that the VIN tag number and the frame number are off, but only by 2. That seems strange. Can it be a factory change or is it a non matching car? Non matching seems strange in how would someone find a frame and body only 2 numbers off? It, according to documents, went through a frame-off restoration, 10 years ago, at 35k miles and now has 41k. All else seems correct including the hardtop. Thanks, R
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Post photos of the VIN tag.
 
Which set of numbers match your title? If any... It's possible that the frame had rusted out, or the body received substantial damage, and one car was built from two or more parts cars.
 
The number on the vin plate. But I gave them that. What you say is possible, but again what are the chances of finding a frame and/or body that is only 2 numbers apart? Everything in the body, frame, engine, and total undercarriage looks almost like it rolled off the assembly line. A conundrum for sure. Surprised me.
 
One or the other mis-stamped ? I can tell you in the vintage Corvette world there have been a few isolated, but similar screw ups... Back in those days things were stamped or stenciled by human beings and they are fallible..
 
When you say vin plate are you referring to the warranty plate on the drivers door?
 
rdeleo said:
Have a pretty high quality 1956. Looking at numbers I find that the VIN tag number and the frame number are off, but only by 2. That seems strange. Can it be a factory change or is it a non matching car? Non matching seems strange in how would someone find a frame and body only 2 numbers off? It, according to documents, went through a frame-off restoration, 10 years ago, at 35k miles and now has 41k. All else seems correct including the hardtop. Thanks, R
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The frame number is what should be on the title and that is what DMV goes buy, there are 2 different places on the body that have the vin stamped I can’t remember where they are. If the Daya plate is new my guess would be that the person ordering the plate incorrectly gave the wrong number. You will have trouble selling it if the frame number doesn’t match the title and you should get it corrected.
 
Brax said:
The frame number is what should be on the title and that is what DMV goes buy, there are 2 different places on the body that have the vin stamped I can’t remember where they are. If the Daya plate is new my guess would be that the person ordering the plate incorrectly gave the wrong number. You will have trouble selling it if the frame number doesn’t match the title and you should get it corrected.
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Understand, but you can only see the frame number in one place unless you remove the body. The data plate looks exactly original as does the frame number. The DMV wanted to know the data plate number. Again, as I have said, the numbers are 3 apart and the chances are very small that it was a body frame marriage. I believe it was a mistake at the assembly but maybe that's what I want to think
Not sure but I will post pics in about a week
 
rdeleo said:
Understand, but you can only see the frame number in one place unless you remove the body. The data plate looks exactly original as does the frame number. The DMV wanted to know the data plate number. Again, as I have said, the numbers are 3 apart and the chances are very small that it was a body frame marriage. I believe it was a mistake at the assembly but maybe that's what I want to think
Not sure but I will post pics in about a week
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I understand and in the states I have lived in the frame vin is always checked to the data plate during inspection. I personally always verify the title or registration to the frame on older cars to verify vin to title or registration before purchasing because Data plates are removable. I couldn’t register or title your car in my state because of this issue.
 
I have gotten back and took a picture of the data plate number and the frame number. After blowing them up I realize that probably the last number is the same, a 5. I showed a body shop friend of mine and he agrees they are the same. Take a look at the two pictures and give me your opinions. R

PXL_20241029_213442571.jpgPXL_20241029_213402239.jpg
 
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When looking at the frame, the "3" before the "77" appears to have a curve at the top. The "5" at the end looks flat on top. Although the "5" is hard to read, it does not look like the 3. I also agree you're good.
 
Brax said:
The frame number is what should be on the title and that is what DMV goes buy, there are 2 different places on the body that have the vin stamped I can’t remember where they are. If the Daya plate is new my guess would be that the person ordering the plate incorrectly gave the wrong number. You will have trouble selling it if the frame number doesn’t match the title and you should get it corrected.
Click to expand...

Michael874 said:
When looking at the frame, the "3" before the "77" appears to have a curve at the top. The "5" at the end looks flat on top. Although the "5" is hard to read, it does not look like the 3. I also agree you're
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I have seen quite a few of the plates and frame stamps. Every one I have seen has a star before and after the number on the plate and frame stamps. It also appears that there are alot of welding 'blobs' in the frame stamp area. These cars are about 70 years old now and there can be lots of legitamate reasons that a frame stamp isn't exactly like you would expect. It's not exactly easy but a thin mirror and flashlight may help you see the vin stamp on top of the frame near the passenger door or the one at the rear.
 
Thanks all. I have confirmed, with a police officer, that the numbers are the same. So all is well. It's nice having a forum out there
 
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