Chassis Numbers?
 

Hi guys,im about to vin my truck here in NZ and the powers to be want me to prove that it is what it is if you follow.
The chassis and engine numbers start with 99TF...... and it is an F30 1942 C29QF.
Any thoughts on this or advice?.
the vinning place want me to contact Ford of Canada for proof of this vehicle.

Is it the spotty Joker in the local VINning agency (VTNZ?) asking because he has never seen one before, or has this come back from NZTA?

99TF is a correct engine number prefix for US-made 1939 pattern Mercury Truck engine for a RHD vehicle, and US Mercurys retained this prefix up to 1945. There is much evidence in the Australian registration records held by the Aust War Memorial of 99TF engines being supplied and fitted in CKD packs of F15 and F15A trucks, alongside the more common Canadian made C99A engines with 2G, 3G, 4G, etc prefixes. As we know, Ford often did not have a separate Chassis number as such, but used the engine number as the vehicle identifier. The problem for you is that despite being a correct and proper number for your truck, that "Chassis" number, by rights should belong to an American Mercury civilian truck, not a Canadian Military truck.

Does your vehicle still have the stamped zinc plate on the side of the instrument panel with these details, or have you sourced them from the engine/gearbox/chassis? If it still retains the zinc plate and the numbers match the engine fitted, then you should be good to go for vehicle ID, as compliance plates were never fitted prior to 1970 for Aust/NZ vehicles.

If you're still having trouble, when(if) 44 South gets re-absorbed into NZMVCC, talk to them about the problem, as the same issues over vehicle identity will apply to virtually any WW2 era vehicle being put on the road in NZ for the first time and someone must have jumped through the hoops already. Failing that, ask someone with another already-registered F30 to accompany you back to the agent with their registration papers!

Beurocrats
 

We have those same bumble brained pen pushers over here as well .

If you read through the AOMC newletters on their web site, there are stories of vehicle owners going through the hoops in order to prove that their vehicle has been in Australia since 70 years ago. One guy presented Vic Roads with the old windscreen from his restored car and showed the old rego sticker to the office .

One thing you don't do is tell them the vehicle has been restored with parts from a few different wrecks . They will try to assign the car with a special rego classification . Best thing to do is , play dumb and tell them as little as possible .

Data plates
 

Something like this could just come in handy, use the first and third ones, stamp your correct engine/chassis number...

But Keith, where can Ken buy a set of those from? :devil: :thup:

Thanks guys that info helps a great deal,Tony i am a member of the NZMVCC and have been in touch with Ronin Beal the President thanks and i have a set of plates from Kieth all be it for an F60s.

Ahh, the Rogue Samurai?

Rob Beale's good, he'll be able to get an answer to you. Thought some of the Nth Island guys would have piped up here, but they must be hammering away getting ready for Wairarapa.

oops typo there Tony,sorry Robin