Where was my car built
- Thread starter OLD AS I
- Start date
Lawson Cox
Well-known member
With only this information, almost anywhere. More info please.
rotorwrench
Well-known member
It seems like there was a code stamped into the firewall on cars built after the war but it was a very simplistic system and it may not have begun right away or at all of the assembly plants at the same time. It wasn't till the 8BA era that body tags began to be used for a more complete code system. By 1951, the code system was really starting to be evident in passenger cars and commercials but it was still pretty basic.
Charlie Stephens
Well-known member
I don't know the answer but what info should he be looking for? I assume he knows the serial number will not give the answer. Is there an assembly plant code stamped somewhere?
Charlie Stephens
Drbrown
Well-known member
Thought that in that era engines, frames and bodies were "built" in different plants but assembled elsewhere (?) Where a car was "built" (assembled) may be difficult or impossible to determine.
Other data may be gleened .... Attached is photo of code, applied during the fabrication of the body, stamped on the engine-side upper-center of the firewall in the body of my '47 sedan coupe. The code appears to state number of doors (2), body color (3M), date (??7). Analysis of my window glass "bugs" and allowing about 3 months for shipping from the Ford glass factory, temporary storage, and then installation = abt August 1947. Exterior details such as parking light style and trunk trim confirm its a "late" '47.
I understand VIN numbers began when stamped on the transmission housing, then after the engine/****** was installed on the car frame, the # was stamped on the frame in three places.
Other data may be gleened .... Attached is photo of code, applied during the fabrication of the body, stamped on the engine-side upper-center of the firewall in the body of my '47 sedan coupe. The code appears to state number of doors (2), body color (3M), date (??7). Analysis of my window glass "bugs" and allowing about 3 months for shipping from the Ford glass factory, temporary storage, and then installation = abt August 1947. Exterior details such as parking light style and trunk trim confirm its a "late" '47.
I understand VIN numbers began when stamped on the transmission housing, then after the engine/****** was installed on the car frame, the # was stamped on the frame in three places.
Attachments
Mac VP
Well-known member
He's from Canada. If the vehicle has a Canadian serial number, it would have been built up there. I'm not sure but I think there was just one assembly plant in Canada.
If it has a USA serial number the process of determining the assembly plant becomes much more difficult. Assuming it is in original condition and has original glass, the clues are very subtle and he may never know for certain.
If it has a USA serial number the process of determining the assembly plant becomes much more difficult. Assuming it is in original condition and has original glass, the clues are very subtle and he may never know for certain.
Drbrown
Well-known member
Mac & coolcoupe on-track .... Unfortunately the 1941-1948 Early V8 Ford Book does not discuss Canadian-made cars.
But if it had been made state-side that book reports (1) all '41-'48 engines were made at the Rouge plant, (2) a '46 VIN number for a V8 would begin with "99A" followed by a six or seven digit number, and (3) 1946 Frame Numbers for that year began with "650,280" and ended the year with "1,412,707". State-side transmission numbering ceased about Dec 1st 1947.
The flat side glass MAY have been made at Ford Glass Plant in US. Any such window bugs would include the word "Ford". The same book decodes US glass bugs on Page 1-19.
But if it had been made state-side that book reports (1) all '41-'48 engines were made at the Rouge plant, (2) a '46 VIN number for a V8 would begin with "99A" followed by a six or seven digit number, and (3) 1946 Frame Numbers for that year began with "650,280" and ended the year with "1,412,707". State-side transmission numbering ceased about Dec 1st 1947.
The flat side glass MAY have been made at Ford Glass Plant in US. Any such window bugs would include the word "Ford". The same book decodes US glass bugs on Page 1-19.
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OLD AS I
Senior Member
thanks for all the comments, looked for code on firewall but nothing, yes am aware that serial number doesn't give any info, numbers do match, frame number and transmission number, am in Canada.
Purchased car at '83 Hershey from a chap from Virginia who in turn purchased it from a chap in Maryland 4 yrs previous.
I was told that Id have no problem driving it home to Mississauga Ontario, 60 miles beyond Niagara Falls, 1st problem was radio quite about 10 miles before getting home, had to add about 1/2 quart of oil during 8 hr trip, ran into rain wipers worked, great trip.
Leaving for Hershey on Monday, 1st time in 25yrs, understand no more mud or grass, they were the days.
Hope to go next yr with the car.
Purchased car at '83 Hershey from a chap from Virginia who in turn purchased it from a chap in Maryland 4 yrs previous.
I was told that Id have no problem driving it home to Mississauga Ontario, 60 miles beyond Niagara Falls, 1st problem was radio quite about 10 miles before getting home, had to add about 1/2 quart of oil during 8 hr trip, ran into rain wipers worked, great trip.
Leaving for Hershey on Monday, 1st time in 25yrs, understand no more mud or grass, they were the days.
Hope to go next yr with the car.
On the firewall of my 48 Ford woodie is the aluminum patent stamp that is always replaced by "restorers". On this stamp in the lower right is a blank space that will have the abbreviated assembly plant. Mine has LB in this area for Long Beach. I have also seen BUF for Buffalo. This is in addition to the woodie firewall stamp that all woodies received at Iron Mountain.
Chris
Well-known member
Is that marking stamped, or inked on?
I have a 32 Tudor that has TC XXX stamped on a floor cross brace. I think that would mean it was built at the Twin Cities Plant. It was originally a Mid West car so that would make sense. I also have a 32 Pick up cab that has RB XXX stamped on the same cross brace....No Idea where or what RB means...Any guesses??