All 1948 and later Ford trucks, all 1949 and later Ford Passenger Cars have a VIN / Vehicle Identification Number - registers the entire vehicle. So called in Ford shop manuals and parts catalogs.

Prior to 1948/49, vehicles were registered by their engine number. The problem was, if the engine was changed, the numbers no longer matched.

17 digit VIN's: 1980 thru today Passenger Cars, 1981 thru today trucks.

The following applies to US vehicles, 1966/68 sold new in Canada only trucks. 1946/65 Canadian only trucks use a different system.

1961/80: Econolines, all trucks & 1966/80 Bronco's have an 11 digit VIN

The first 3 digits is the series code, the 4th is the engine code, the 5th is the assembly plant code, the last 6 digits is the numerical sequence of assembly, the vehicles specific serial number.

1965 F100 example: F10DR639899: F10 = F100 2WD / D = 352 2V / R = San Jose Assembly Plant / 639899 = 1965, assembled January 1965. 699899 is this truck's specific serial number.

1960/79 Passenger Cars have an 11 digit VIN. The first digit is the year, the 2nd is the assembly plant, the 3rd/4th is the body code, the 5th is the engine code. The last 6 digits is the vehicles specific serial number.

Look in any 1949 and later Ford car or 1948 and later Ford truck parts catalog's General Info Section. This where VIN's are decoded.