On Body Code
SLM72 = Saint Louis (assy plant), Mercury, Model 72 six passenger coupe.
On The Paint & Trim
13 = Maywood Green
55 = Tan and Brown Stripe Bedford Cord
On Date & Line Code
27 = 27th day
M = December
43 = number 43 unit off the line that day
This indicates that is is an early 1950 model assembled on December 27, 1949
The trim codes are basic codes that would have been used on 72-A or 72-B cars but not on the 72-C Monterey. The body outer paint code of Maywood Green is another basic color that could have been on a 72-A or 72-B but not on a 72-C Monterey. The Monterey had distinctive colors that the others didn't have. I've heard some die hard Mercury folks say that the numbers for the Monterey were only around 800 cars in 1950.
If your car is listed as a 72 then it is a 72-A. If your car has flip out rear quarter glasses then it is likely a clone of a Monterey. The basic 72-A had fixed rear quarter glass in it. The 72-B was essentially the same car except for just a very few additions like the flip out quarter window vents.
Now I know plenty of folks that are just fine with the basic 6-passenger coupes. Hell, I wish I had one but I'm kind of Mercury rich with two 1951 Model 74 Sport Sedan cars. Mine are both early 1951 and were both assembled at the Saint Louis plant like yours. They were both assembled in November of 1950.
This is a break down from the body parts calatog for 1950. The 200+ codes in the trim code section indicates Monterey codes.
https://www.fordbarn.com/attachments/305611/
