Body / Glass: VIN Number

[billwaergo]

The VIN number on my car is either 7154496 or 7I54496. The confusion is the second character. It is either the number one or the capital letter "I." The car was titled in MI and they read the second character as a "one." When I titled it in CA they read the number as the letter "I." When viewing the VIN it looks like this "I"

Did Studebaker use numbers and alpha characters for the VIN or all numbers for their 1955 President Speedster?

I will be happy to send a photo of the VIN if that will help.

Thank you for your help.

[BobPalma]

This is a common problem that has been addressed mutliple times, Bill. Studebaker did use a "Roman Numeral" I, rather than the numeric 1, to denote "one."

If there is no legal problem with your car or title, why not leave it alone? If the title says I, leave it I. If the title says 1, leave it 1. Technically, either way is correct. BP

[Welcome]

WELCOME ...to the SDC Forum!!!

That second digit is in fact to represent the number 1 (one). That is the unique style Studebaker used in their vehicle identification numbering system.

[rkapteyn]

There have been threads on this before and an old time Studebaker employee commented that the number "!" of the stamping set was lost and they used the
"I" instead.
When the plant closed , Carl Thompson took the stamp set home with a stash of blank VIN plates and offered it for sale years later for $350.00.
Someone told me that ( ? ) Studebaker (the man with the Electric Studebakers) from Ohio bought the set from Carl and it was at his estate sale.
I do not know ,who ended up buying it.
Robert (altzheimer) Kapteyn

[billwaergo]

Thanks Robert, for your comments about the VIN.

[rockne10]

Someone told me that ( ? ) Studebaker (the man with the Electric Studebakers) from Ohio ...
Robert (altzheimer) Kapteyn

Bob, if the story is true, that was probably Carroll Studebaker.

[showbizkid]

WOW! How funny is that?