Body Stamping on a 3A???

[athawk11]

While tearing into the the latest 3A project, I came across something I didn't think existed.� This is on the edge of the driver side where the cowl meets the dash.� I didn't think 3As got stamped.� Help me out here.� I couldn't find any references to this in Bob Ws book.� This number matches the serial number on the data/patent plate...

[bretto]

I'm guessing someone got stamp happy.  I bet you find the same on the frame somewhere.

[Quebec Jeep]

13655 is an early 3A tub.

But like you said, even late 2A was not stamped like this.

I will guess also someone got stamp happy.

It's very interesting.

[garage gnome]

Looks like something bubba did.

[athawk11]

Could be bubba...

But to dismiss it as such would be premature.� It's a pretty old font with some unique characteristics.� There are not a lot of pictures of ACM numbers out on the www. , but from what I can find, the '3' and '6' look very simialr to the fonts used for ACM numbers on 2A tubs.

Although, the above font size is smaller than the size used for the ACM numbers.

Calvin's original tub was within 1500 of this Willys.� I wonder if he remembers seeing a number like this prior to replacing it with the new tub.� Donald Montoya (on the Data Base page) has a Willys within 177 of this one, but it looks like he isn't active here anymore.� I looked up 'Donald Montoya in New Mexico.� I'm not sure it's the same guy, but I got a bunch of obituary information.� If that is our Donald, may he rest in piece.

Tim

[1955CJ-5]

Could it have been given a branded, assigned or replacement title along the way?

I looked at a 2a that had two assigned vin numbers, from different states, and also the original data plate. I did not see the title though. The assigned numbers were the same as the data plate, but in different locations, on embossed stickers...they may have had different prefix's, I don't remember now...

Sometimes it seems that old jeeps have more than their share of title issues...

[athawk11]

Title issues could be an answer, but this usually comes up if there are no data/patent plates.� This Willys has the original plates with the same number that is stamped on the body.� Also, my title matches both numbers.

I have a thought....Could this have been added by the original dealership that sold the Willys?� �This 3A resided in the Glennwood Springs, Colorado area. That area gets a ton of snow.� During the late '40s, early '50s, they were averaging 6' of snow per year.� If I were a dealer, in terms of convenience, I might not want to push all the snow off the hood to check the serial number.

I'm just guessing. I would still like to know if anyone else has seen this.

Tim

[F Bill]

I am thinking some one didn't like the easily removable number plates and decided to stamp in a more permanent number. The font used is an older font, so I would bet it was done "back in the day". Whether it was due to an overzealous DMV or county  employee, an asset protection manager afraid of losing the company jeep, or just an owner who wanted to ensure his jeep remained his jeep, we will probably never know. Might even have been a place rebuilding jeeps that wanted to keep the right body tub with the jeep it came off.

Just a WAG....and I'd like to find a set of those stamps myself.

[garage gnome]

I have a set of the vintage stamps.