I am trying to verify the model year of the 1 1/2 ton Ford Wrecker with VIN 1GT63466. I believe it to be a 1943 from notes written by the late owner but need to be sure. We need proof of model year for a title correction,
Thanks,
Tony

PS I know that 1GC was used for trucks up to 1 ton and that the chassis number seems to fall within the range for a 1942. I know this from the Kruse Publications Standard Catalog of Light Trucks

 

That's what I just looked in, and as you know, there is no 1GT listed.

AFAIK, C refers to 'Commercials' (1/2 tons). T refers to 'Trucks' (non commercials). But, 1GT63466 is not a VIN, because VIN's were not introduced in Ford trucks until 1948 (1949 FoMoCo Passenger Cars).

The VIN (Vehicle Identification Number) registers the entire vehicle. Prior to 1948, trucks were registered by their specific engine number.

The problem was, if the engine was changed, the number no longer matched.

Les Kelley, the largest used car dealer in the world and a Ford Dealer (in downtown Los Angeles-Kelley Kar Co.) was the one who came up with the VIN system.

Kelley is far better known today as the originator of Kelley Blue Books. These were originally used by dealers, banks, finance co's. to estimate the loan values based on a percentage of 'wholesale' prices.

FoMoCo was one of the first automakers to adopt the VIN system. It wasn't until circa 1955 that all the automakers were using VIN's.

 

Numberdummy,
Thank you for the education, I used the term VIN out of habit and didn't know about the actual origin of VIN. As far as I know, and have been told, 1GT63466 is stamped into the bell housing (?) and this truck has been in this family's ownership since the early 50's. The info about "T" being used for truck is perfect and would explain it's use on this 1 1/2 ton wrecker. In The Standard Catalog of Light Duty Trucks, there are 1942 Ford trucks and then 1944 and onward. No 1943's. The Standard Catalog's listing of chassis numbers does seem to make this a 1942. Thank you for the help,
Tony

 

The engine number was also stamped on the hogshead. In today's world, if they match, consider yourself fortunate.

Civilian car/truck production ended February 9th, 1942.

In September 1944, the War Production Board allowed the automakers to begin assembling trucks for the civilian market, but it wasn't until circa July 1945 that any were available.

AFAIK, the only cars assembled during WWII were Nash Taxi-Cabs, assembled in Kenosha in 1943.

 

Bill,
Again, you hit a homer! This is excellent info. The late owner had told his kids that it was a '43 and it can't be. This is just super and may be just the information we need. Thank you so much,
Tony

 

Bill, I have a question on the serial number stamped into the frame of my truck. It has no digit to distinguish a year as far as I can figure out ? It read ⭐99C-684715 sorry the photos upside down.

 

99C indicates a 239 cubic inch V8 powered commercial vehicle and 684715 indicates in was built in 1946.
Please post a picture of the truck.

Early Ford Serial Numbers For Cars and Trucks Manufactured for the USA Market from 1932 to 1953

Also, in the future it is normally better to start a new thread than add a new not very related question to a very old thread. No worries though, we'll help as we can, but not necessarily super quickly as there are not a lot of us in the 1947 and older forum.