Originally Posted by dennisb56

Here is the info on my truck, posted a few years back. I can only find a plate on my glove compartment door.

F1D2CS17663
The next line on the plate reads:
3 3.92 N 28K CS551-P
trans rear color production code

D = 215 six cyl;
2 = '52;
CS = Chester, PA;
17663 = serial number

3= regular 3 spd;
3.92:1 rear ratio;
color N = Meadow Green;
28K = October 28, 1951 assembly;
CS551-P = Chester, PA assembly

I was also born in Chester, PA so my truck has only gotten about 45 miles away from its birthplace. Its was painted rustoleum red in the 70's, and the 215 was replaced with a later 223. As far I can tell I'm the 3rd owner. I got it in 2006 and it was parked from 1987 until 2006.

Originally Posted by 52 USCG Panel

I'm late to the party, but my truck's glove box plate reads as follows:

Serial No (F1D2HM44328)

Trans (4) Rear Axle (39.2) Color (SS) Production Code (21KUS391)

My truck, I believe, was acquired as government surplus in 1958. It was used on the Coast Guard base in Sault Ste. Marie, and was painted Navy grey. It was original in most respects. Exceptions included a rather crude "brush" paint job inside and out, a wooden bench installed in the cargo compartment, the spare tire mounted inside, and an electric fuel pump.

The rear axle really is listed as 39.2.

Originally Posted by ALBUQ F-1

These date codes aren't making sense, as far as "first year, second year" codes. They only make sense if '52 was a "first year". See mine with a December of 1st year date, and a 10,800 unit number (subtracting the 10000 for #1). Date code is M for first year???

Originally Posted by 52 Merc

Based on our recent conversation regarding production numbers, what makes sense (in my pea brain, anyway) is your truck is a late '52, built in December, 52. That's my 2c, anyway. I think we've already ruled out the use of 2nd year date codes on our trucks. That's for a totally different application, as I've discussed in this thread previously. We would have seen a whole slew of '52 trucks using the second half of the alphabet for date coding, and that's not been the case at all.

Originally Posted by ALBUQ F-1

In the Bunn book, he alludes to the slow roll-out of the '53's, apparently there being a strike early in '53.

Originally Posted by ALBUQ F-1

In the Bunn book, he alludes to the slow roll-out of the '53's, apparently there being a strike early in '53.