feel very badly
parts. And we
It's got to be
location. New
into a frame
flunky can do the
my eBay page
mindset. No
obscure stamping,
in conflict
in agreement
fishy about
pitfalls with the
certainly did not
car from JP,
JP, ships it
inspector finds a
to both Allen
what I wanted
Well, I am glad we are all on the same page again.
As far as the secret serial numbers go, the genie is well and truly out of the bottle, and there's no stuffing it back in.
Let's try to avoid the "numbers matching" madness that has infected some of the Brand X crowd. I'd like to suggest that SDC make it an official policy that the lack of a "correct secret serial number" on a Studebaker frame does not in and of itself disparage the authenticity of the car in question, and conversely, that the presence of such a number serves only to indicate that the car in question has led a relatively sheltered life since it rolled off the line.
The only instances where exceptions to this rule might occur would be in the event of an ownership dispute where a once-stolen car is recovered, or if two cars ever show up with the same serial number. Or, in other words, where outright fraud or theft are suspected. In such a case, the frame number might well be valuable supporting evidence.
And, as individuals, it might be worthwhile for us to look for and verify the "secret serial number" on the cars we do own, if for no other reason than to satisfy our curiosity. And additionally, it might not be a bad idea for us to stamp our initials or other identification into our Studebaker frames and engine blocks in an effort to make them identifiable in the event of theft or a fire. I've never stamped my cars, but it'd be easily done, and could be done in an obscure place so it would not deface the appearance. Most of my tools are engraved or stamped, and that's what inspired this thought.
Gord Richmond