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The original ID data plate on my 1954 M37 was missing. It came with a replacement data plate (see below) that was apparently installed when it was converted back to an M37 in 1966 after an M42 Command Truck kit was removed. The replacement plate appears to be anodized instead of etched like the original ID plate would have been. According to the vehicle serial number stamped on the frame and ID plate, my M37 was delivered in March of 1954.


I wanted to find out what the original data plate would have looked like, and then I wanted to make a good facsimile of it in etched aluminum like the original. So far, I've found three original ID plate designs that were used from 1951 through 1954. Based on photos of original data plates, I used Adobe InDesign to create new art for the three designs as shown below. The oldest (and apparently rarest) design that I found is the top one, and the newest is the bottom design.

I don't know the exact date ranges for these three designs, but the bottom design would have been the correct one for my 1954 M37. These aren't 'perfect' facsimiles, but I think I came very close.


There were several steps involved in making an etched plate like the original. Here are the basics:

- Create the art in InDesign.
- Print a mirror image of the art on special inkjet transparency film to make a film positive.
- Apply photoresist film to an aluminum plate.
- Place the film positive, emulsion down, on the photoresist film and expose it to a UV light source (like the sun).
- Develop the photoresist to remove the unexposed portions of the photoresist.
- Acid etch the plate.
- Blacken the etched areas with aluminum blackener.
- Remove the rest of the photoresist with acetone.
- Trim the plate to size.

Here is the etched plate that I made. You can see some reflection from the clear satin protective coating that I sprayed on, but the background is actually a very solid black. The mounting holes still need to be punched, and I plan to stamp the data with 3/32" character and number stamps.


By the way, if anyone can provide more information on exactly when these designs were phased in and out (date range? serial number? contract number?) that would be of interest.

I applaud your skill set but you do know you can get those NOS blank plates or repros from a plethora of vendors for around $10 ?

Murf wrote: ↑Mon Aug 19, 2024 7:49 am I applaud your skill set but you do know you can get those NOS blank plates or repros from a plethora of vendors for around $10 ?

Thanks, Murf. Actually, I have looked at what many different vendors are offering for both NOS and repro ID plates. All of the NOS ID plates that I've seen (so far) have been 'replacement' plates that do not closely resemble the original factory ID plates in appearance and/or production technique (such as being anodized instead of etched like the originals), but were probably intended as replacement ID plates for when a vehicle was converted to a different model after installation or removal of a kit, such as the M42 kit.

The reproduction ID plates that I've found have all been either inaccurate to varying degrees, of poor quality, anodized instead of etched, or silk-screened, which is even further from an etched plate. I haven't been able to find a single etched aluminum reproduction ID plate that closely resembles an original factory ID plate. And remember that there are at least three different original ID plate designs, depending on the delivery date (or other criterion?) of the vehicle.

I'm not saying that they don't exist somewhere, but I've done a lot of looking and have not been successful in finding one. if you have a link to an NOS ID plate (or repro plate) that is an accurate etched version of an original ID plate, I'd love to see it.

Etched plates have a subtle, but distinctive character, due to the slightly raised letters that you can feel if you run your finger across them.