1935 Studebaker VIN Number Location

[Stude37]

I have a 1935 Studebaker Dictator that I purchased in Missouri.
I sent the Title to the State of Illinois to be transferred they are requesting a VIN Number.
I have a 1937 Studebaker and when we transferred the title from Arkansas, they used the number on the head.
My question is did Studebaker issue VIN Numbers in 1935 and if so where is it located?

[tomlewis]

Welcome to the Forum.

There were no VIN numbers in 1935 as we know them. I think that started in about 1981. (I’m sure someone will correct that if it s wrong). Studebaker issued serial numbers for all its cars. In 1935 the serial number plate was attached to the outer frame rail just behind the driver’s side front wheel.

If your ‘35 Dictator has a conventional front axle, the first 3 digits of the serial number should be 550.

If your car has the Planar suspension, the first 3 digits should be 521

As usual for this forum I am prevented from posting photos.

Tom

[Stude37]

Tom Thank You for the information. I have the serial number tag. my 35 has the planar front suspension.

[tomlewis]

Welcome to the Forum.

There were no VIN numbers as we know them in 1935. Studebaker issued serial numbers for all its cars. The serial number plate for your car was attached to the outer frame rail just behind the front wheel on the driver’s side.

If your ‘35 Dictator has a conventional front axle, the first 3 digits of the serial number should be 550

If your car has the Planar front suspension, the first 3 digits should be 521.

As usual with this forum, (and one of the reasons that I very seldom post here) I am prevented from posting photos.

Tom

[tomlewis]

Welcome to the Forum.

There were no VIN numbers as we know them in 1935. Studebaker issued serial numbers for all its cars. The serial number plate for your car was attached to the outer frame rail just behind the front wheel on the driver’s side.

If your ‘35 Dictator has a conventional front axle, the first 3 digits of the serial number should be 550

If your car has the Planar front suspension, the first 3 digits should be 521.

As usual with this forum, (and one of the reasons that I very seldom post here) I am prevented from posting photos.

Tom

[rockne10]

As usual for this forum I am prevented from posting photos.

Tom

why can't you post photos? everyone else can.

[Hallabutt]

Not me! I'm not smart enough to remember how to do it.

[tomlewis]

Beats me.

When I click on the camera icon I get a choice of “select from photo album“ or “upload”

If I select from photo album I get a selection of 4 or 5 really old pictures and nothing that is relevant.


If I click on upload and choose “photo library” I can get to the pictures that I want, and can highlight them and click on “add” and I am told it is “working”. It then does nothing until it times me out.

If I click on upload and choose “take photo or video” I take the photo and am told that an error has occurred.

All this is in sharp contrast to to the AACA website that hosts SDC and ASC. There I can get a picture posted with a couple of clicks and no drama. This forum has always frustrated me in posting pictures

I just tried again today because a new member asked for information and I had knowledge and photos I wanted to share.

And now I tried to post this response and the system tells me “Error! Please upload at least one photo.” And an OK button and no other choice like “delete” or “cancel”.

Tom

[r1lark]

Tom, sent you a PM about posting pictures.

[Dick LeRoux]

Tom,
I have the same problem and have tried for years to upload pictures. I was told, "A ten year-old can do it." My grandson is now three years old and a real car guy, so I only have 7 more years to wait for him to show me how.

[Studebaker Wheel]

Tom is steering you in the right direction re the cars i. d. number (that it was never referred to as a VIN in 1935). It was always a “serial number”. It seems to me that the number should be on the title so why would the state of Illinois be asking for it? The serial number range for the 1935 Studebaker Dictator model 1A (w straight axle) was 5500001 to 5512000; for the 1935 model 2A (with planar front suspension) was 5212001 to 5235000. Other than the front suspension there were no other significant differences in the two models. Tom’s comments on the location of the serial number are correct, i.e. on a plate on the frame under the left front fender (however I have seen it on rare occasion under the right front fender).
As to your comment re your ’37 and the state having taken the number off the cylinder head that is really quite dumb. That is simply a casting number for that particular part and has no relevance to identifying the car in any way. There were some states (but not Illinois) that would register cars by the engine number but that number is always stamped into the block and not raised numerals. For the record the engine number range for the ’35 Dictator is D27501 to D-62850.
I have just about every piece of literature and documentation that Studebaker ever issued on the ‘35s and this includes: parts books, owner’s manual, sales literature, service literature, confidential sales bulletins, color charts, factory photographs, salesman’s data book and lots more. So, there should be no mystery re anything related to that car.

[Hallabutt]

Many state including Washington used the engine numbers to identify a car for registration. It seems obvious that no authority could conceive of a 90 yr old car still being on the road in 2023, much less being a valuable commodity that would have some monetary value.