I have a 61 F-100 short unibody 2wd and I'm puzzled by the VIN.
I need to know the date this truck was built. Any help would be great!

51657A-6661014NL




1961 Ford F100

 

1961/64 sold new in Canada Ford/Merc truck VIN's, codes stamped on the Warranty (or Rating) Plate are different than 1965 Canada.

1966/68 Canada 11 digit VIN .. Warranty Plate and codes stamped thereon are the same as 1966/68 US trucks.

1957/63 Ford Truck Parts Catalog (US) does not decode Canada.

1964/72 Ford Truck Parts Catalog decodes 1964/72 US, 1965 Canada, 1966/68 Canada (same as US). Catalog includes 1965/68 Canadian specific parts.

What I was able to decode is 1965 related (except 66):

51457 = 1961 Numerical Sequence of Assembly.

A = 3,601-5,600 lbs. Gross Vehicle Weight Rating Range.

6 = Cylinder Engine.

66 = Unit Body Pickup.

10 = 100 Series (F100 or M100).

14 = 114" Wheelbase.

N =

L = Left Hand Drive.

Ford 9" Rear Axle / 3.89-1 / 3,300 lbs. Rear Axle Capacity.

F-F100: F100 2WD .. 5,000 lbs. Gross Vehicle Weight Rating.

Truck has a 3 speed manual trans (3-on-the-tree), but what NP refers to, I dunno.

Because of tariffs that existed between the US/Canada: 1946/68 Ford/Merc trucks assembled in Canada were only sold new in Canada.

When the tariffs were abolished in late 1967, Mercury trucks were cancelled.

 

Wow. Ford didn't make it easy! Thank you very much for your help. I have not been able to track down any info other than what you have provided.

 

This is it. Although now it has a 460 auto and a twin I-beam disc brake front end and power steering. <br/>