1961: serial number question

[Barbara S.]

Can someone tell me if the serial number is stamped into the frame of a '61? I know that my '67 had the serial number stamped in the frame in at least 2 places, but I wasn't sure if serial numbers were stamped into the frames of the '61's.

Thanks.
Tony

[Mike M.]

Re: 1961: serial number question

yes, in the upper surface of the frame, in the area under your left hip/buttock when seated in the car.mike

[Leo G.]

Re: 1961: serial number question

I've tried to scrub my frame with the body still on with various devices and tried to find the stamping with the use of mirrors etc have had no luck. Could you be a little more specific Mike? Center of the frame, more inboard than outboard, how about a font size? Just trying to verify without pulling the body. I've owned the car for quite a while and not started a restoration yet. I need to find one of those round tuits to get going. I enjoy driving the bugger though.

Regards Leo

[Ray C.]

Re: 1961: serial number question

Tony, when I removed the body from the 61 for restoration I searched for the frame numbers. I found the set on the left kick-up but could not find the numbers by the drivers seat. There are small rubber pads between the frame and the under body that is attach to the frame. The number was under one of these pads. You could have never found it with the body on. If you can feel for a slight depression in the top of the rail, the number may be in that location.
The picture is of the numbers under the pad. If you look close you can see the depression.

Ray #36314

[Barbara S.]

Thank you! *NM*

[Mike B.]

Re: 1961: serial number question

It is definitely a needle-in-a-haystack search depending on the frame condition. I loosened the body bolts on the left side and used wooden wedges to add about 1/2" to the gap between the body and frame on my '61. Then with fine sandpaper, steel wool and wiping with some WD-40 to increase resolution, I was able to make out the numbers. It took manipulation of the light, mirror and camera position to get the best contrast. Pick a warm day to lay on the garage floor because you will be spending some time down there!

I think the numbers are about 1/4" and are more towards the inboard side of the frame rail. As others suggest you might be able to feel a slight depression in the frame where the stamp was struck.

The photo shows my numbers from under the driver's seat area. Note that because of the mirror the numbers are reversed but the photo provides a relative position (I later flipped them on the computer). Also notice that one of the digits in the center is completely missing. That is due either to previous corrosion and/or subsequent sanding (it was frame-off restored some years ago) or just stamped lightly in the first place.

If you can find the numbers and they match it is a great relief. I know that I felt better after I proved to myself that everything matched up.

Good luck and happy hunting!
Mike

[Jim K.]

Re: 1961: serial number question

Hi Tony: Nothing was better than finally decoding what I was seeing as my stamped number and confirming it matched the car. I spent several days under there with the car up on 6 ton jack stands (for the height, about 24") shimming the floor up off the frame and using a drill with a wire wheel on it, then mirrors, flash lights and chaulk and all kinds of things. it helped to have written the number I was looking for on a piece of masking tape backwards and adhering it to the underside of the floor within the line of sight to really understand what I was looking for. My frame had a fair amount of scale, but was solid and it was stamped lightly and the the combined sanding, wire wheeling, rubbing the area with chaulk and trying other tings finally paid off. I say I was under there for several days, but it was for an hour each time because after a while, oyu loose focus. I couldn't photograph it, but did smear a heavy coating of axel grease on it when I was done (for next time).
Jim

[Chris H.]

Re: 1961: serial number question

Jim, did I read your post correctly? did you somehow shim up your body so you could see the top of the frame?

I am doing a slow restoration while driving. I have completed the engine compartment (but not the underside of the hood) and as far back as I could while sitting in the empty engine compartment.

My thought that I would try next is to remove all rear body to frame mounting bolts and let the frame "droop" from the body as far as posible w/o removing the steering column and front bumper/fender atachments. I am hoping I can get an additional inch of clearance so I can clean and paint.

How much room were you able to get and what attachments did you remove?

[Jim K.]

Re: 1961: serial number question

Hi Chris:
Yes I shimmed up the floor (without seat) using wooden wedges and shingles, prying up with a flat bar. I disconnected nothing and used a dental mirror from Autozone ($4.99 at the counter). I would not drop the rear frame with the fenders and radiator still attached, cracking at the front wheel wells, or worse. All you need is 1/2 - 3/4" to get the angle for the mirror. I taped some aluminum roofers flashing squares to the fiberglass, so the wire wheel wouldn't eat it up. Slow restoration while driving is exactly what I have been doing for 7 years.

[Chris H.]

Re: 1961: serial number question

I think I need more than 1/2" to derust, clean and paint. But 1" could work.

[Vinnie P.]

Re: 1961: serial number question

After you get it somewhat clean you might want to try some white liquid shoe polish, use your finger or a rag to rub off the excess and then take a look with the mirror. Some of the white polish should be left in the stamping.