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Classic/Antique Car Repair/1938 Cadillac 60 Special

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Expert: Dick Benjamin - 11/16/2008


Question
Hello
Can you help in advising where we can find the vin# on this vehicle.  Many thanks
Carol

Answer
In 1938, Cadillac used the engine number as the VIN. If the car still has the original engine, the VIN is stamped on the driver's side of the engine block, below the heads, and parallel to the dash.  The number should start with 627 plus 4 more digits, which is the sequence number starting with 1001.

If the original engine is not with the car, you can look on the top of the driver's side frame rail near the steering box for a duplicate VIN - but most 1938s do not have that marking.

Dick

Classic/Antique Car Repair

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Dick Benjamin

Expertise

I can help on most American passenger cars built between 1930 and 1970, and Imperials through 1983. I have over 50 years experience in restoring and maintaining antique and classic cars, including 20 years operating a classic car repair shop. I am now retired, but I am willing to help with any questions of a technical or mechanical nature. I have more experience with Packard, Studebaker, Hudson, Imperial and other luxury makes, but I do have reference material and experience with most makes.


I do not know anything about modifying cars - if that is what you want to know about, pick someone else. I keep them the way the factory built them, and I advise you to do the same, to maintain the value of the car and also for your safety.


 I can only handle mechanical or technical questions - I am not a body/paint expert!

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Past/Present Clients
Currently support a technical advice service for the Imperial club, responsible for the technical data section of the Packard Club website. Served as a technical expert for "Expert Central" before it was recently absorbed by this service.

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