1936 Series 80 Convertible Coupe question- rumble seat??

[alfamonza]

We have a client with a Series 80 convertible coupe body style 8067 that does NOT have a rumble seat. Does anyone know if they came in this configuration? It had dual side mounts, a 'normal' trunk/deck lid and the smaller spare tire compartment below that lid. It does have the steps on the right rear  that would indicate it indeed had a rumble seat at one time. The decklid is hinged opposite of what a rumble seat lid would be (it is hinged at the front).
Any input would be greatly appreciated!
Thanks,
Mark

[Steve Passmore]

Fleetwood only built a small number of these cars for discerning clients and would build them almost to order.  When I was restoring my 36 coupe I searched for interior shots from other owners and was amazed at the differences. Mine carries the rumble seat but others had fold down seats made inside behind the driver and the lid reversed.  Does it have SO on the bulkhead plate? (Meaning special order)

[Bob Hoffmann CLC#96]

Mark,
That is a very rare car. Please post the engine # & the frame # so we can verify if it has the original motor. Also please post the data plate.
  Then what  you need to do is get the build sheet on the car. That will tell the story. Pics would also be nice.
Bob

[alfamonza]

Thanks guys for the input! I cannot locate the data plate on the bulkhead, nor the frame number. Perhaps I'm looking in the wrong location??  The block number is 4II0884. Due to client confidentiality I can't post pictures of the car at this time but will once i get approval.
Thanks again,
Mark

[Steve Passmore]

That's the correct engine Mark and the chassis number (which will be somewhat different) is on the chassis rail just in front drivers side body mounting.

[alfamonza]

Thanks Steve- that's the location (between the steering box mount and body/bulkhead mount) that i originally looked and came up bare. It doesn't appear that foul play (grinding away the numbers) have been at work at that location either.

[tozerco]

Mark,

Where are you?

If it is at all possible that you have an "export" or CKD model Cadillac from around this time, many did not have the chassis numbers stamped on them. The engines were almost always shipped separately to the chassis and only "mated up" when they arrived at their destination so GM apparently thought having no chassis number was better than having one that didn't match the engine number. I have "Build Sheet" records (that are based on engine numbers) for a bunch of CKD's (5 or 6 I think) that were destined for Australia in 1936 and the engines for which (bearing the all important engine numbers) were dropped on the wharf in New York! The engines not only never made the trip but were certainly never mated up with a like-numbered chassis.

None of the Oz 1936 CKD builds that I have seen have a chassis number anywhere on them (I have disassembled two and inspected another out of a total of 12 or 14 originally), either US stamped or stamped by GM Holden.

Many (most) British Commonwealth destined cars and chassis went out of the US across a short strip of water and via Canada to beat import duties in the arrival country so "export" doesn't necessarily mean the car has to be outside North America (especially given the ease with which cars do and have cross back over borders subsequently).

[Steve Passmore]

Mark, they also carry the umber on the frame where the battery box lid is. You really have to bend your neck to get under there and see it.

[alfamonza]

John, we are located here in the Good Old USA on the East Coast, so I doubt that it is an export car (but one never knows!).
Steve, I'll look in the other location.
Much appreciated guys!
-Mark-

[alfamonza]

Ok guys, I finally got a chance to do some investigating and found a frame number on the right rail. Not sure if this helps: 4A884 ?
Thanks,
Mark

[Steve Passmore]

Yes, that's the number Mark. It should almost match the engine number except the 'A' is substituted for two other numbers, In 36 it was 110 so substitute these for the 'A' and you have a matching engine chassis reading 4A884 and 4110883 and as they started with 1 yours is number 883 down the production line.

[alfamonza]

Great- thanks for the info Steve!

[Bob Hoffmann CLC#96]

Yes, that's the number Mark. It should almost match the engine number except the 'A' is substituted for two other numbers, In 36 it was 110 so substitute these for the 'A' and you have a matching engine chassis reading 4A884 and 4110883 and as they started with 1 yours is number 883 down the production line.

Mark,
Now you know the correct VIN for the car. So, getting back to your original question about how it left the factory. I suggest you buy the build sheet & it will answer that question.
Bob