Data plate question

[bluerooster]

How many data plates does a single airplane need? Was looking at an (apparently) abandoned airplane today. And noticed 2 data plates. One on the empennage below the horisontal stab. and another in the door jamb.
Different serial numbers, and different year model.
It's a fastback slant tail 172. One plate sez 1960, the other sez 1961.
N-number don't exist. Never got re-registered since the new rule.
looked it up by SN and it shows to have been registered as a '60.
Both data plates appear to be origional Cessna data plates.

 

[flyingron]

Possible frankenplane where pieces of two fuselages were put together.
Both the 1960 and 1961's have the configuration you describe (swept tail, no rear window).
Most likely you can remove one and use the other though your dataplate issue on this thing is probably the least of your concerns. Are there logs?

 

[poadeleted20]

Yes, there are two plates on Cessna 172's-- the regular data plate on the tail most of us know with s/n, model, mfr, etc., and the one on the door jamb with s/n and I can't remember what else. Not sure of all the details, however, nor all the planes which have two.

And per F'Ron's comment, yes, the s/n's should match up. However, it may be one has the mfr date and the other the model year, so the dates might not match because as with cars, they start bringing out next year's model late this year. So, for example, you can buy a 1976 model Grumman Tiger that was built in November 1975.

BTW, the fact that it was deregistered for lack of reregistration isn't a huge deal, as the airworthiness certificate remains in effect, but if you're thinking about buying it, the fact that it hasn't been flown in several years might give you some pause, and lead you to a more invasive pre-purchase inspection.