Topic: Fender VIN stamps on a 68'

[mungus]

I'm sure this must be covered elsewhere but a site search revealed nothing. So apologies if I'm covering old ground.

Anyway my car has the expected windshield tag and door warranty tag, but when I blasted the front clip there was no sign of a VIN stamp on the aprons (like on a 67).
The aprons have aged factory sealer in the joins, so I am guessing they have been there a long time. So if they have been replaced it must have been early in the cars life.
They also all have shift codes stamped into them, so they wont be repro sheet metal.

I remember someone telling me years ago that by 68' visible fender VIN stamps were no longer mandatory (replaced by the windshield tag), and so are missing from many 68' cars. Is this true? As I have seen some photos on the web, of some 68 cars with a fender apron VIN stamp. Was it plant specific by then? Or did they stop at some calendar point? Like Jan 1st 1968 for example (if that's when the law came into effect).

Thanks in advance.

[RoyceP]

I've owned many '68 Mustangs and Cougars. All had VIN stamps on the front aprons.


On an antique car they are not required. When new they were a mandatory federal requirement to satisfy the number of hidden VIN stamps. You are not a manufacturer and the car is not new so that requirement would not apply to you.

[mungus]

Thanks.

For what its worth several 68 owners I have spoken to don't have them. It was one of them who told me the story about the change of rules in 68' not requiring them anymore. But I've seen that stated on a less technical Mustang forum too.

I have no concerns about any regulatory requirements as I have the windshield tag, and that's what matters to the inspectors. The question was for the sake of originality.

[Bob Gaines]

I'm sure this must be covered elsewhere but a site search revealed nothing. So apologies if I'm covering old ground.

Anyway my car has the expected windshield tag and door warranty tag, but when I blasted the front clip there was no sign of a VIN stamp on the aprons (like on a 67).
The aprons have aged factory sealer in the joins, so I am guessing they have been there a long time. So if they have been replaced it must have been early in the cars life.

I remember someone telling me years ago that by 68' the fender VIN stamps were no longer mandatory (replaced by the windshield tag), and so are missing from many 68' cars. Is this true? As I have seen some photos on the web, of some 68 cars with a fender apron VIN stamp. Was it plant specific by then? Or did they stop at some calendar point? Like Jan 1st 1968 for example (if that's when the law came into effect).

Thanks in advance.

Yes a VIN was typically stamped on the front apron in 68.  It was meant to be stamped so as to be seen in the cutout of the drivers fender just like in previous years. I have a early pre strike 68 with a vin and a much later May built car with VIN so the early late theory does not pan out.  If VIN are not present on the aprons then look for other reasons like previous collision repair etc. The factory forgot theory is the least likely .

[mungus]

Thanks Bob,

Might be an early accident repair then, as the panels are all Ford shift marked. Straight enough and no obvious signs of damage, so at least they fixed it properly...
I guess judges frown upon reproducing one on a replacement fender apron? Even if its done well?

[CharlesTurner]

Might be an early accident repair then, as the panels are all Ford shift marked. Straight enough and no obvious signs of damage, so at least they fixed it properly...
I guess judges frown upon reproducing one on a replacement fender apron? Even if its done well?

Ideally, panels can be patched/repaired instead of full replacement.  For so many years owners/restoration shops would cut out entire panels for a minor rust hole and ruin all of the original spot welds along the edges.  Obviously in some cases like accident damage, a full replacement is required.  When that is done, every effort should be taken to replicate welds and date codes/markings.  A well done repair cannot be detected.


I have seen a VIN stamp on the battery apron also.

[Bob Gaines]

Thanks Bob,

Might be an early accident repair then, as the panels are all Ford shift marked. Straight enough and no obvious signs of damage, so at least they fixed it properly...
I guess judges frown upon reproducing one on a replacement fender apron? Even if its done well?

A repair job done so that it can't be detected is the goal . With that said I am not aware of any conocurs judge that would frown upon a repair job done well . The only frowning would be as a result of something not done well . The way it looked when new is the goal, how you get there is the challenge. There is no one in the concours community that will limit you on purpose in achieving that goal IMO. In fact quite the opposite . Forums like this are in place to be helpful to meet those restoration goals.   

[jwc66k]

Many years back, at a local Mustang shop (since gone out of business) was a 1966 Shelby GT-350H (Shelby ID unknown) that had suffered major front end damage - the front end was not there. What was there were two strips of the top of the fender apron still attached to the firewall, one on the right side and one one the left. Both strips contained the VINs, the two "hidden" VINs when the fenders were attached, and the VIN eventually covered by the Shelby tag. I don't know the outcome of the car but this is an extreme case, and I assume the shop and owner knew the why and the what they were doing to a valuable car.
Jim

[ruppstang]

In the LH fender there is a cut out for the VIN. There was a VIN stamped in that window, there also was a second VIN stamped behind that one you could not see unless you removed the fender. Often there is also a VIN stamped in the RH apron that is only visible with the fender removed.

I have see 68s with a VIN visible in the cut out and 68s with no VIN visible in the cut out. All 68 should have the hidden VINs.

[jwc66k]

In the LH fender there is a cut out for the VIN. There was a VIN stamped in that window, there also was a second VIN stamped behind that one you could not see unless you removed the fender. Often there is also a VIN stamped in the RH apron that is only visible with the fender removed.

I have see 68s with a VIN visible in the cut out and 68s with no VIN visible in the cut out. All 68 should have the hidden VINs.

Which applies to all 64 thru 68 Mustangs. The window visible VIN was a federal requirement to assist law enforcement in doing what ever they do with VINs. The effects is a double edged sword, the bad part affecting repairs and restoration.
Jim

[ruppstang]

Which applies to all 64 thru 68 Mustangs. The window visible VIN was a federal requirement to assist law enforcement in doing what ever they do with VINs. The effects is a double edged sword, the bad part affecting repairs and restoration.
Jim

That is true. The reason the window was left blank on some 68s was the dash VIN plate became the legal visible VIN.

[Bob Gaines]

That is true. The reason the window was left blank on some 68s was the dash VIN plate became the legal visible VIN.

Just for clarification to those reading the window being left blank in this case is referring to a vin stamp that is stamped outside the range of the window cut out of the fender lip and consequently concealed under the fender.

[preaction]

I'm sure this must be covered elsewhere but a site search revealed nothing. So apologies if I'm covering old ground.

Anyway my car has the expected windshield tag and door warranty tag, but when I blasted the front clip there was no sign of a VIN stamp on the aprons (like on a 67).
The aprons have aged factory sealer in the joins, so I am guessing they have been there a long time. So if they have been replaced it must have been early in the cars life.
They also all have shift codes stamped into them, so they wont be repro sheet metal.

I remember someone telling me years ago that by 68' the fender VIN stamps were no longer mandatory (replaced by the windshield tag), and so are missing from many 68' cars. Is this true? As I have seen some photos on the web, of some 68 cars with a fender apron VIN stamp. Was it plant specific by then? Or did they stop at some calendar point? Like Jan 1st 1968 for example (if that's when the law came into effect).

Thanks in advance.

Did you check the date codes that are visable on your inner fenders to verify if they are correct dates for your cars build date ?

[J_Speegle]

If someone else posted this and I missed it in all the responses please forgive my missing it

68 is an odd year in relationship to the drivers side VIN and if it was intended to be visible or not. This has come up many times but gets lost for some reason. It depended on the assembly plant and their practices/instructions to those workers at that plant

One related thread but for San Jose

https://www.concoursmustang.com/forum/index.php?topic=18835.msg119813#msg119813


Bottom line - Shown in the same order as in the picture. Tried to find all the same colored cars
Dearborn - Typically hidden
NJ - Typically visible
San Jose - Typically  hidden

A repair job done so that it can't be detected is the goal . With that said I am not aware of any conocurs judge that would frown upon a repair job done well . The only frowning would be as a result of something not done well . The way it looked when new is the goal, how you get there is the challenge. There is no one in the concours community that will limit you on purpose in achieving that goal IMO. In fact quite the opposite . Forums like this are in place to be helpful to meet those restoration goals.

+1 A job well done would be just that and go unnoticed by judge, potential buyer or by others randomly looking over the car

[VXH]

Thanks for this thread. I had always wondered why I didn't have a visible vin via the drivers fender. Recently, I removed the fender and at first I only found a few strips of putty. Once I removed the putty where a hidden vin would likely be, poof, there it was. (removed putty shown above the vin in the photo)   Pax fender also had the hidden vin, although, the putty wasn't directly over that vin. Car was born 12/67. Hope that helps other Dearborn restorations.