I have a '52 CJ-3 with no VIN plate

[TsarNicholas]

When my grandfather passed away several years ago and the family came to take care of his belongings they were going to scrap his old CJ. It's sat in the back of his garage for my entire lifetime and I thought I could give it a better fate than a scrap yard. Here I am years later with almost nothing done to it and I decided it was time for it to have a better home. After listing it for sale in various outlets and turning down a mess of people who wanted to run it to death in the woods I finally found someone who wants to restore it. The problem is that while I have the title I am unable to find the VIN/serial. The plate should be mounted on the firewall, passenger side but there are only holes where the screws used to be. On the dash above the info plate is another plate, but it's mostly painted over. I've attached a picture for reference. Could this plate be the VIN plate? I didn't want to try to remove the paint in case it would ruin it. If I can't find the VIN would any of you happen to know if I can even sell it? I live in Ohio and the guy that's interested is in PA, if that makes any difference.

 

[CJ]

Not sure about a 52, but my 72 had the VIN plate screwed onto the FW by the MC on the drivers side.

As for replacing a lost VIN plate, call the DMV - they can tell you if that is acceptable.

 

[CJKrawler]

A phone call to the DMV should settle it as to what you need, but somehow you can replace the VIN, it just may cos a couple bucks.

 

[TsarNicholas]

@CJ, I assume by FW and MC you mean fender well and master cylinder. There are no plates there, or on the frame rail behind the bumper (a suggestion from the buyer).

@CJ, and CJKrawler, I'll contact the DMV monday. I hadn't considered that yet mainly because I didn't think the DMV was capable of anything but annoying the good people of this country.

 

[Sasquach]

They did not use a VIN # back then but used a serial # instead. The elusive serial # plate on my 64 3b is on the passenger side firewall inside engine compartment at top and measures 1 3/4" x 3 1/2" with 4 screws, if it is gone and sounds like it is your frame should have the same serial # stamped into the top of the passenger side rail above the front spring hanger pivot(back end of spring). If that is unreadable it is also stamped over the rear spring shackle area

 

[54cj3b]

Your vin plate should be on the top right on your firewall like pict below