Motor Numbers
Posted: Wed Sep 15, 2021 9:29 am
Motor Age for 1922 presented an article that included passenger car serial number from 1913 to 1920, cars from the ACE to the Winther. The purpose of the article was assist insurance companies in the recovery of stolen cars and a discussion for standard numbering of automobile motor and chassis numbers.
It was in 1916 that the SAE engine division reviewed the manufacturing practice of numbering engines. It was agreed that plain figures about 1/4 inch high stamped into a pad or plan surface cast on the engine should be the standard. All this was to be part of a theft protection program. It was suggested that a further solution was to place all numbers near the top of the right hand side of the crankcase, in a position that would be easy to read. The number should be between two vertical ribs or beads 1/4 wide, 1/8 inch high 3 inches long and 3 inches apart.
It was in 1916 that the SAE engine division reviewed the manufacturing practice of numbering engines. It was agreed that plain figures about 1/4 inch high stamped into a pad or plan surface cast on the engine should be the standard. All this was to be part of a theft protection program. It was suggested that a further solution was to place all numbers near the top of the right hand side of the crankcase, in a position that would be easy to read. The number should be between two vertical ribs or beads 1/4 wide, 1/8 inch high 3 inches long and 3 inches apart.