1959 ranchero VIN help

[danorte]

My 1959 Ranchero has a strange to me code. Please help Number is H 9 R F xxxxxx * the astrix is really a star stamped at the end of the VIN on the Rt passenger frame rail in the engine compartment. H code is 352/300 hp R code is San Jose build F code is Ranchero Nothing I can find shows or mentions the star at the end of the code. So, does star mean really rare, or standard or what. I do not have the door build plate but did come with standard transmission. Any one know or could you look at your 59 frame rail and see if there is a star? Thank you so much. North

[NumberDummy]

Originally Posted by danorte

My 1959 Ranchero has a strange to me code.
There is nothing strange about it, because * is not a code.

*H9RFXXXXXX* the astrix is stamped at the end of the VIN on the Rt passenger frame rail in the engine compartment.
Take another look-see, there should be another asterix stamped before the VIN...see example.

H = 352/300 hp / 9 = 1959 / R = San Jose CA Assembly Plant / F = Ranchero.

Nothing I can find shows or mentions the star at the end of the code (VIN).
You'll know within seconds when you read my response.

So, does star mean really rare, or standard or what.
None of the above.

The asterixis are stamped before and after the VIN so car thieves could not alter the VIN

And this is the only reason they are there! This is SOP at FoMoCo, every vehicles VIN has these asterixis.

In the mid 1970's, I bought a ratty 1957 Ranchero, restored it, then sold it to actress Melissa Gilbert.

How long have you owned your Ranchero? You prolly don't have to worry too much about rust living in NM, but be aware...

That Ranchero's can be rust buckets! Usually when you find this out (the rust is hidden), it's so extensive, major body work will be required.

Ford used caulking between the bed floor and the front and sides of the bed and at the rear of the bed between it and the rear body panel.

Underneath the Ranchero's bed floor is the station wagons floor pan which has foot and seat wells and the well for the spare tire.

The caulking goes away, water seeps in, has no exit, so rust begins. I know of two Ranchero owners who had their fuel tanks FALL OFF .. onto the highway!

Above the tank is the wagons spare tire well, which is notorious for rusting out. Drill some holes in all these locations, cuz you never know...

The 1949/59 Ford Passenger Car Parts Catalog is available on a CD from hipoparts.com

[danorte]

Thank you. Yes I know about the rust, rockers at least but still exploring, frame is good, floors are all good. Waiting to pulll up the bed. I never would have figured to avoid alteration of the vin with the end point star. Very nice information. Thank you again. North

[NumberDummy]

Originally Posted by danorte

Thank you. Yes I know about the rust, rockers at least but still exploring, frame is good, floors are all good. Waiting to pulll up the bed. I never would have figured to avoid alteration of the vin with the end point star. Very nice information. Thank you again. North

I traded an all original 1959 Galaxie ragtop with 40K on the clock (paid 500 bucks for it-those were the days!) to a bodyman pal of mine to restore the Ranchero. He still has it.

When the bed floor was removed, it looked like the wagons floor pan had been underwater in the Salton Sea for decades. There wasn't much left of it, had more holes than a donut shop.

When all was said and done, the bodyman modified the bed floor. Cut it in two, hinged it, which allowed it to be raised on either end, exposing two storage compartments.

He also drilled holes in the wagons floor pan so water could escape within seconds after entering.