Date Stamp

Peter J

Peter J

Well-known member
Hi Guys,
I've read in various threds that their are date of mfg. stamps on the firewall of some 28-29 bodies. Is this just for the Briggs (my 28 had one)?
Also, it's easy to tell a 30 from a 31 mfg. Is their a way to determine by body style whether or not a car is a 28 from a 29 other than the AR models which are pretty obvious? Just curious.
Thanks,
Pete
 
The date stamp is in the lower left corner of the gas tank, just over the flange where it's bolted to the firewall. This date is stamped on all body styles for most of 1928 and 1929.

All 1928's and early 29's had a drum tail light and flutted headlights. I'm not sure the exact date for the change, but most all 1928's would have the squeeze handle on the parking brake, and all 1929's would have the push botton handle.
 
Thanks as usual Tom. I've got the push button break, teacup tail light but the headlights were swapped out with 30-31 types. I'll check again on the date stamp. It was real clear on my 28 but this one is probably covered with a brush on paint job.
Pete
 
Tom,

The fluted headlights lens and tuna can tail light was used through Feb. 1929; the emergency brake handle would be the push button type mounted in front of the gear shift; it would use the 2nd generation light switch " left for park, 6 o'clock for off, and 1 position to the right for head lights; they use the 21/3 headlight blubs, no high beam.
My Feb. 29 Roadster is equipped this way.

Ron
 
Peter J said:
Hi Guys,
I've read in various threds that their are date of mfg. stamps on the firewall of some 28-29 bodies. Is this just for the Briggs (my 28 had one)?
Also, it's easy to tell a 30 from a 31 mfg. Is their a way to determine by body style whether or not a car is a 28 from a 29 other than the AR models which are pretty obvious? Just curious.
Thanks,
Pete
Click to expand...


It is thought that the dates on the gas tanks are the assembly and/or testing date of the tank itself when it was assembled in Dearborn. A lot of vehicles coming out of Dearborn could very well have tanks dated the same day as the assembly of the vehicle because they were so close. However, if a vehicle was assembled in, say San Francisco or any of the other far away plants, that date on the tank may be off of the actual assembly date of the vehicle by 2 months or so.

These dates range from about May 1928 through September 1929. Most tanks have a date but then again a few do not in this time frame.

Pluck
 
Thanks Guys. I guess their as no way to glance at one and say "that's at 29" like you can do with a 31 by it's radiator shell.
 
Yes you can.. If it has not been changed, the 28 Radiator shell is different than the 29..
 
Fred said:
Yes you can.. If it has not been changed, the 28 Radiator shell is different than the 29..
Click to expand...

As I understand it the raised oval changed to a bell shape when the headlights changed from fluted to Twolite, which was sometime during or right after Feb. 1929.

It's thought the change in shape around the crank hole made the new shell (with larger headlight holes) easier to identify.
 
Thanks. The shell is a repro so the crank hole is a moot point. So really their's nothing on the main body that distinguishes one year from the other that couldn't be easly swapped. Oh well, it's a driver so I'm really not too concerned. The title says 29 so it's a 29 which is good enough for me.
Thanks for the input! Pete
 
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