Classic/Antique Car Repair: 1953 Kaiser Manhatten V.I.N. location, door hinge, kiaser

Question
My son has inherited his great grandfather's '53 Kiaser Manhatten. Unfortunately the ownership papers have gone missing. DMV told him that if he can provide the VIN they could issue a new set.  Problem is we have no idea where the number is located.  I only know that on older cars it was somewhere on the engine block.  Can you help?

Answer
The VIN should be posted on the driver's door hinge post.  It should start with K532, and then there should be a 6 digit number after that.

Some states used to register cars using the engine number as a VIN (a bad idea, because so many cars do not have thier original engine after all these years), but for what it's worth, the engine number on your car should be on a plate attached on the driver's side of the block, and may also appear at the driver's side front side of the engine up near the head.  The engine number should be a 7 digit number starting with 20----- if the car has a manual transmission, or starting with 21----- if it has Hydra-matic transmission.

Where I live (in California) if you make an appointment at the nearest Highway Patrol office, they will inspect the car and if they cannot find the VIN, they will issue a substitute VIN, if you can prove that you own it.

I hope this is helpful.

Dick