Hi to all I have noticed that a few people have asked about decoding vin numbers for trucks built in Windsor, Ont. but have never seen anyone ask about info on trucks built in Oakville, Ont. They have entirely different vin numbers. As far as I can tell Oakville numbers cannot be decoded the same as Windsor numbers. It also looks like 53 & 54 trucks were built in Windsor and 55 & 56 trucks were built in Oakville but I think I have seen where people with 55 & 56 Windsor trucks have asked for Vin number info? Here are some examples.
54 - M-350 built in Windsor MCE81BHRxxxxx
56 - F-100 built in Oakville 4831018TKxxxxx
As one can see there is no resemblance what so ever. I have been on the Welcome to MercuryPickup site but the info there does not make sense when it comes to Oakville trucks. Quite some time ago I e-mailed them but have not gotten a reply.
If anyone can supply some input on this subject please do so. Hearing from someone with a 53 or 54 Oakville built truck or with a 55 or 56 Windsor built truck would also shed some light on this subject on this subject. If you just want to beat me up, that's ok too.
I have been thinking of doing this thread for some time now but couldn't really figure out how to do it and make any sense out of it so thought with all the knowledge here it would be best to start it and see what happens.
To be continued................I hope

 

Decode at: mercurypickups.com

 

Not sure what you are really asking for but my truck is a 55 built in Oakville with a serial number like 4-83-1010-Sk-******.
with the
4-8cyclinder
83-pickup
10- 1/2ton
10- 110"WB
SK-Oakville
*******-serial number.
I hope this helps or adds to the confusion!

 

Old Ugly

In reply to CDN V.I.N. Decode here is what I have come up with, for the 1956 F-100 you have given partial serial number to.

4=4 Speed Transmission
83=Pickup
10=F-100
18=Don't show that unless you mis typed it or it was a fleet color
T=1956 S=1955
K=Oakville, ON.

If a Truck was built in Windsor the plant designation letter would be H meaning Home Plant.

Oakville did not start operation until 1953, butt the V.I.N. numbers would be the same as the Oakville ones. Only difference being the Plant Designated Letter as H=Windsor, K=Oakville.

Ford I don't believe would make up 2 sets of parts books just because of the different Plants, and they are only about 180 miles apart.

 

I have a 1953 Canadian Ford/Merc truck parts catalog.

MCE81BHRXXXXX

MC = M350 Conventional Cab.

E = ? Not listed, 1953 prolly didn't use it.

81B = Closed Cab Deluxe.

H = Windsor, Ontario Canada Assembly Plant.

R = 1954 (Q is 1953).
---------------------
I can decode 1965 Canadian truck VIN's, because this info is in the 1964/72 Ford Truck Parts Catalog.

The 1956 Oakville 4831018TSKXXXX has a somewhat similar decode as 1965 / Parts catalog example for 1965: 4991014L-195001A

4 = V8 / 99 = Styleside Pickup (83: Flareside Pickup body style) / 10 = 100 Series / 14 = 114" Wheelbase / L = Left Hand Drive / 195001 = First unit built in Oakville during Model Year / A = GVW Rating: 3600-5600 lbs.

Taking the 14 = 114" wheelbase into account, does the 1956 have a long bed? If so 18 could refer to: 118" Wheelbase.

Wikipedia has some interesting info (if it's correct) inre to the Oakville Plant. According to Wiki, Oakville opened in 1953, but in a list of Ford factories, truck assembly didn't begin in Oakville until 1965.

Previous to 1965 (how far back it doesnt say) Ontario Truck Assembly Plant was located at the same location as Oakville, was combined with Oakville when Oakville was modernized.

 

Hi to all First off I would like to thank every one for their input. I am only interested in this for every ones general knowledge and hopefully it will help someone in the future, including myself. As time is a bit limited for me these days I am going to keep my posts short and try to address every reply so this might go on for awhile.
I have four trucks, a few cabs and a few frames laying around all in the 53-56 years. I will be using them as examples as we go along.
Thanks again.

 

Hi again Bill And thank you for the reply. I have visited the mercurypickups.com site and copied their vin code pages. The page for 53 makes sense (there is no page for 54, but would be the same except for the year code) - Windsor info at the top and Windsor info at the bottom. How ever when you study the pages for the 55 & 56 years they they have used a Windsor data plate that cannot be used to decode Oakville trucks as the plates and vin codes are different.The bottom of the page seems to be directed at Oakville trucks. I tried to e-mail them quite some time ago and have not gotten a reply.
Thanks again-Rod

 

Hello CdnWillyG Nice to here from you as we're almost neighbors.
The Oakville number (4831018TKxxxxx) I used for the example is for a 56 F-100, 6 cyl., 3 spd. HD, long box, sooo, I would guess something like this.

4 = ????
83 = Pick-up & Express
10 = F-100
18 = 118" W.B.
T = 1956
K = Oakville
This kinda makes sense but why put W.B. in the vin and also in W.B. section of the data plate? I don't think 4 would mean V-8 as this truck had a 6 cyl.
Your info is part of what I am looking for. Also asking if 53 & 54's were also built in Oakville and if 55 & 56's were also built in Windsor.
Thank you for your input, it all helps.- Rod

 

Sorry but I must leave for now and catch some . Back to the salt mine you know. To be continued .................

 

AFAIK, first digit of this type of Canadian serial number: 1 or 4 = 8 cylinder (gas) / 5 or 6 = 6 cylinder (gas) / 7 or 8 = 6 cylinder (diesel).

Cannot be 4 if a I-6 gasser.

 

When did they start putting the 6 cylinder engine in Canadian trucks? In the earlier years, '52 and previous, only V-8's were offered, afaik. Or was that just in Mercurys?

 

OHV I-6 parts are illustrated and listed in my 1953 Canadian Ford/Mercury Truck Parts Catalog (May 1953 edition).

On the front cover: PARTS AND ACCESSORIES DIVISION / FORD MOTOR COMPANY of CANADA LIMITED / WINDSOR ONTARIO CANADA

 

To the best of my limited and feeble knowledge it wasn't until 55 or 56 for 6 cylinder engines in Canadian made Ford trucks but I could be wrong there.

 

Old Ugly

Here is a copy of the 1955 Ford Mercury Data Info. You can fill in the blanks a per the V.I.N. Plate to see what it is you have.

This is a copy from an original Ford Of Canada Body & Chassis Book, that has 964 pages in it.

Also on another issue regarding V.I.N. Plates having only Ford OF Canada on them, that was the standard plate for all. Reason their Home Office was Windsor Ontario. As you will see on the illustration there is a box that depicts the Plant in which the Truck was made.
This is 1 of 2 pics I will post.
H=Windsor Ontario
K=Oakville Ontario
S-1955
T=1956



T=1956

 

Old Ugly

Here is the second pic, have fun and this should explain all as your vehicles were built in this era. where a reprint of an original may have updated part numbers this is the correct Data for your Trucks.