Dash-mounted VIN tags?

[FORDification]

Everyone knows that normally the VIN data plate is located on the driver's-side door. I've heard people mention from time to time that there was a VIN tag also mounted on the passenger-side dash, visible from the outside, like a passenger car. I always just figured that whoever was giving that info didn't know what he/she was talking about.

However, while working on my '67 in the shop today, I stepped outside for a break and was leaning against the hood of my '68 F-100 parts truck, when I just happened to turn my head and saw a VIN plate on the passenger side dash! WTH??? Now, I've parted out about a dozen trucks over the past year, and I've never seen a truck with a VIN tag mounted here. Does anyone know the story behind this? Just how common is this? Does anyone else here have a truck with a VIN tag here?

[sdranch71]

Hmm, never have seen a windshield vin plate on a truck before either. However, I note that your truck is a 68, and 68 was the first year Ford put them in the windshield on cars, and 68 is the only year they were on the passenger side. Maybe this was something that Ford started and then realized that it wasn't required for trucks? Is your 68 an early truck?

[willowbilly3]

sdranch71, welcome aboard. The Black Hills is my old stomping grounds. I love it there. 3 sisters and mom in Belle Fourche

[FORDification]

hey, welcome to the new forums! Glad you made it over.

Yes, my truck's VIN number shows it as being manufactured in Sept. '67, the second month of production for the '68 model year. I'll have to keep an eye out for other '68 models to test your theory, but it certainly sounds plausible.

[BigRedTruck]

I think I may have a later incarnation of that on my hands....I found a plastic thing that seems to be a auto insurance card or...i dunno it was really burnt....the second thing was metal...and i'll get some pictures up as soon as I figure out how to lower the resolution.

[FORDification]

I think what you have is a 'Protect-o-plate'. It's basically a card with a metal tag on it (about the same size as the VIN data tag on the door), used for dealer service purposes, to keep track of maintenance done at the dealer's. When I was out junk-yarding last weekend I found several trucks that still had that plate in the glovebox...I was gonna grab one just for the heck of it, but forgot.

[4x4x4crewcab]

I pulled the windshield out of a 1967 F100 today and found one of these R.H. dash mounted (stuck in W/S rubber) vin tags. Any more info on why some trucks have these and some don't?

[FoMoCo]

My 68 Ranger had the Dash mount VIN. Its production date was late 67.

Nick

[FORDification]

That seems to be the general findings....that some late '67 and early '68 trucks got that VIN tag on the dash, in addition to the door tag. Mark, what was the production date of your '67?

[4x4x4crewcab]

By your chart Nov/66 (A44,@@@)

[flyboy2610]

My 68 F100, made in December '67 does not have one.
Course, the VIN also says it has a 360, and I know for a fact it's a 390. (I measured the stroke.)

[FORDification]

Hmmm....OK, since Mark's was an early '67, I'd say that we're headed down the wrong road here. I wonder if maybe it was something that was plant-specific. Mine was Kansas City truck (code 'K')....what's the fifth digit in your guys' VINs?

[flyboy2610]

Mine was made in KC, too.

[4x4x4crewcab]

(Code K) Kansas City

[FORDification]

Hmmmm...are we seeing a pattern here? Very interesting!