Recently bought a 51 F1. Overall, very original and surprisingly unmolested. Never repainted and everything is there.

Hoping you can help me decode:

Cowl Tag: F1R1SP13186 (matching stamping RF frame rail)
Glove Box Tag: Early style: Same VIN plus 1RC stamping lower right
Cowl Stamping: ASP24 1 18258 724

Cowl stamp is hard to read but is A (truck is raven black) SP (St Paul) 24 (gap) 1 then the 8 (overlapping) 2 then 58 (gap) 724

VIN I think I understand (thanks to this thread) but trying to decipher cowl stamping, figure out build date and any other info you can help with.

Thanks! Mike

PS: Only oddity...truck has F2 fenders on it. Nothing indicates that they were replaced but they are F2 fenders so?? Nothing else about the front end appears anything other than stock factory (hood, core support, etc.) Any chance they were a factory 'oops'. If not, they have been there forever.

 

Looked a little closer at the cowl stamping today. Looks like it actually reads ...SP 21 but the following letter (month code) still looks like a straight line. Thought maybe that was a poorly stamped M.

Based on 303FordGuy's truck (21M stamping, VIN F3R1SP10563), they would have to have been produced the same day,though, if it was a M. My VIN is 2623 units later than his so that's not realistic for a single day production run.

The month stamp doesn't look like a partial stamp A at all (and Jan 21,'51 was a Sunday) but I suppose it could be a partial B if anything. Would Feb 21, 1951 be likely given the F1R1SP13186 VIN? That would mean 2623 trucks produced in St Paul in two months.

Thoughts anyone?
Thanks,
Mike

 

My truck numbers are from dispatch box are: F1R1HM73377 Production code: 27LDD2961. If I understand the the info, this is the second series of plates and truck would not have cowl stamp? Truck appears to be late production. Thanks for info.

 

You are correct, it would not have a cowl stamp or tag as the Data plate was changed in early September 1951.
F1= 1/2 ton
R= 239 cu in Flathead V8
1= 1951
HM= Highland Park assembly plant
73377=production number
27L= 11/27/1951 Build Date
DD2961= internal plant code

Your data plate should have the paint code stamped on it.

 

Yes, paint code is B. Original dark blue, now red. Will check my other truck.

 

B= Sheridan Blue

 

Here are numbers off my other truck, this is the one in my advatar, appears to have been red, FIRIKC18962. Tag is smaller size than my other truck, has series F1, then model W 8 C ? or W B C.

 

That should be F1R1KCxxxxxx
F1 = F-1
R = V8
1 = 1951

Ford used an "I" for a "1" for some reason

 

Ross: Does that only apply to 1951, or to certain plants? The tag on my '52 has a 1. Thanks! - Bob

edit: I believe the ID number on the frame shows "I" though.

 

On the frame, and (I believe) on the cowl stamps on older trucks.

 

I just checked the data plate on my 51 F1, they used I in the beginning with the letters.... FIRI but the 1 in the serial number.

 

 

Rating Plate (Glove Box)

5700 GVWR

F2= 3/4 ton LD
H= 226 cu in 6 cylinder flathead
1= 1951
RH= Richmond, Ca Assembly plant
18508= Production number

Patent Plate (firewall)
F2H1RH18508 (same as above)
RIC= Richmond Plant

Firewall Stampings
RH=Richmond
F2= 3/4 ton
H=Silvertone Gray (paint)
20F= June 20,1951 Build Date
6147= Internal plant code

 

thank you what does the LD after the3/4 ton mean?
Thanks again

 

F2 was the light duty 3/4 ton, F3 was the heavy duty 3/4 ton and F4 was 1 ton.
Mark