Finding original options / paperwork

delco1946

delco1946

Senior Member
I bought my car 3 years ago with very little In the way of history, stories or paperwork unfortunately. I’d like to know more about it. It’s loaded with options and I’d love to know what actually was on my car from the factory. I don’t think things like power windows, power seats, power brakes, power steering, spotlights, Etc. show up on the vin. Has anyone found a way to get the original paperwork from the Ford motor company or something along those lines?
 
1967 I believe. Something about a fire destroyed earlier if I'm thinking right. I also believe there are some of the baby bird records.
 
My car is a 55 crown victoria so it sounds like that’s not an option then? I’ve never heard of a Marti report, I’ll google it for fun regardless.
 
5851a said:
1967 I believe. Something about a fire destroyed earlier if I'm thinking right. I also believe there are some of the baby bird records.
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CTCI has the surviving Baby Bird invoices...
https://www.ctci.org/invoice-sales/

delco1946 said:
My car is a 55 crown victoria so it sounds like that’s not an option then? I’ve never heard of a Marti report, I’ll google it for fun regardless.
...
Yea it’s only 67 and newer with some 62 to 66 thunderbirds. Any other options?
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There is a Crown Victoria Association that could be helpful, at this link...
https://www.thecvaonline.com/

CVA data plate info, a pdf document...
https://thecvaonline.com/howtos/Dat...eKUHnalOJbDIuIBgPT6sG_5fnkChDI5IYsdK0Qw0Ej9fc
 
In those days, each subassembly, (body, chassis, engine), came down the line with a teletype page stuck on with masking tape. The teletype had boxes filled in with options. If you can find the broadcast sheet under a seat, or anywhere else on or in the vehicle, save it. That may be the only documentation available. Today this is done on hanging TV screens.
 
Ole Don said:
... If you can find the broadcast sheet under a seat, or anywhere else on or in the vehicle, save it. That may be the only documentation available. ...
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They can sometimes be found inside the seats or seat cushions. Maybe under the back seat or carpet???
 
I found a partial sheet that looks like it was glued on the inside of my spare tire rim. The wheel and tire are still original and has not seen much use.
 

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Herman Munster said:
I found a partial sheet that looks like it was glued on the inside of my spare tire rim. The wheel and tire are still original and has not seen much use.
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Wow - that's the first one I've seen from a full size 56. And I've been collecting broadcast/ROT sheets from 57-up Tbirds for almost 40 years.
 
I wish there was more of the sheet left. My car is mostly original and unmolested with less than 31K miles.
 
My 56 T-Bird was a so called Fram-off but by amateurs I have found. Before I got it .It sat in a garage for 27 years covered up, tires flat, power steering dry. I got a pile of bills that was spent on the T-Bird. Now I an piling up a pile of bills on the T-Bird also. I hope by next summer I will have a nice T-Bird. The motor seams very strong and does not smoke. Carb needs rebuilt will do later this fall. My car was sold new in Richmond, Va. March car, Detroit Factory.No power steering, 292 engine That all I have found so far. The person My Brother-in Law got the T-Bird from ended up in prison for cheating people. He was a Ford Dealer not to far from me in West Virginia.
 
Found build sheet under drivers seat and tags behind headlight
 

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Nice find, have found several taped on back side of drivers door panel and most under seat in cushion above springs. Have heard on top of gas tank also. I'm talking about 60's and 70's. Anything from 50's would be fantastic.
 
Another thing to consider is that not all optional equipment was installed at the factory. Basically the older the model, the more likely that any options were dealer-installed. Any dealer-installed options would not be noted on factory paperwork. By the mid-50s most options were factory installed. Something like backup lights on a mid-'50s Ford, or a radio in a truck, outside mirrors, etc. was often dealer installed. Prior to WWII, most options were dealer installed.
 
459224

If you can locate a copy of this 1955 Ford Accessory Brochure, it will tell you what Options were available for your 1955 Ford Fairlane Crown Victoria, however, it will not tell you what Accessories came with your car from the Factory.
 
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