Classic/Antique Car Repair: 1941 PLYMOUTH BLOCK #, s driver, california driver

Question
I JUST PURCHASED A P-12. THE ENGINE NUMBER IS N936150AL OR N936150CAL. EVERY THING LOOKS ORIGINAL . BUT, ALL MY INFO SAY ENGINE #SHOULD START P12XXXXX. CAN YOU HELP ME OUT?THIS HAS GOT ME PERPLEXED.

Answer
It looks like the block has been re-numbered.  That number looks like a California Driver's license to me - is the car from California?  Out here, if the VIN is lost on a car, the CHP will re-number it using the owner's driver's license number.

In cars of that era, the VIN was the engine number - therefore many engines were re-numbered with the owner's driver's license number.

You are right, the engine number should have been P12XXXX as you say.

Dick