We just got the truck from CO last night, and this being are 1st 100, there there are many questions. Here is the body tag (note the replacement screws):



We can't yet validate that this is the correct tag by verifying the VIN as we have not yet located any of the frame VINs. The engine and transmission are accurately represented by the tag.

The truck was obviously repainted and not repainted very well (in 1991). The truck was not prepped well at all and there is Sea Sprite Green under the topcoat everywhere we have checked...floor, dash, jambs, and the inner wheel wells, under what appears to be the factory undercoating. Under the very durable (factory appearing) Sea Sprite Green is brown/oxide colored primer (also factory appearing). Net, it appears that this truck was Sea Sprite Green when it left the factory.

The paint code, as shown above is "Y" which is Mountain green. Yet we cannot find ANY evidence of Mountain Green on the truck anywhere.

Possibilities that we came up with...

1. This is not the trucks original trim tag (although everything but the paint code checks out...VIN still TBD). The insurance cards/reg going back to the early 90s all have the same VIN and it matches the title which goes back to 1996. I don't think this is the case, but once we get a VIN read off the frame we will know for sure...but we don't plan on taking the truck apart until late Fall.

2. Possibility #2. The "Y" paint code is screwy. Mountain Green in not a "standard" color and I have read other posts where others have said that they have a "Y" code with Sea Sprite Green paint in areas.

The topcoat is peeling everywhere, and here is an example of what is underneath:



Any ideas about why this is a "Y" code???

Thanks,

Phil

 

Frame VIN is on the top of the frame on the passenger side. It and can be near the firewall or up near the front cross member.

 

Thanks! Yeah, we looked, but is it usually covered by the inner fender?

Phil

 

The number on my 350 is visible on top of the frame from behind the front wheel. The numbers are stamped large enough to be easily seen.

 

Mine are stamped where the front cross member meets the frame. Another member posted a photo of his and it was at the transmission cross member. I've attached a pic of mine so you know what you are looking for and another for location. You can make out the number just above where the front spring pin is. Here is a link (https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1...-engraved.html) that has pics of the other fellows (post 10). I'd be less concerned about the inner fender covering than layers of paint or grease! You may need a scraper and some elbow grease to find it.

 

F10 = F100.

D = 223 1V I-6.

5 = 1955.

K = Kansas City MO Assembly Plant.

25814 = 1955 Numerical Sequence of Assembly, the trucks specific serial number.

5,000 lbs. Gross Vehicle Weight Rating.

110" Wheelbase.

109 net HP @ 3,600 RPM

4SYN = Borg Warner T-98 4 Speed Manual Transmission.

Spicer (Dana) 44 Rear Axle / 4.27-1.

Y = No such COLOR code listed for any 1951/56 truck or passenger car (includes Courier) / No such color as Mountain Green / G = Sea Sprite Green: 1955 trucks/passenger cars / U = Meadow Green: 1954/56 trucks.

24FDN2215B: 24F =Assembled June 24, 1955 / DN2215B = ? Production codes I cannot decode.

Y could have been stamped in error: V = Golden Rod Yellow 1954/55 trucks & passenger cars (includes Courier).

 

Thanks guys, we will continue to try and locate the chassis VIN.

Any ideas on the Y code?

Phil

 

Hello Phil,

I've attached a pic of the Ford paint codes, 'Y' is not one of them. So, as Bill suggested, it must have been stamped incorrectly. I've also attached a pic of the colour chart for 1955 Ford.

Here are some resources that might be helpful:

A master parts catalog with illustrations of how things go together. This and a reprint of the shop manual and owner's manual are invaluable.

1948-56 Ford Truck Master Parts Catalog CD - HiPo Parts Garage

The cheapest and quickest place to obtain a new rating plate. They will change your plate to reflect your truck. So if you paint it 'Torch Red' they will stamp it with a 'R'.

Tags Backeast, Trim Tags Backeast, Data Plates, A.G.Backeast. We make tags for AMC, Buick, Cadillac, Camaro, Chevelle, Chevrolet, Chrysler, Corvette, Dodge, DeSoto, Edsel, Ford, Frazer, La Salle, Henry J, Kaiser, Lincoln, Mercury, Mustang, Oldsmobile

A library of auto paints

Auto Color Library - The World's Largest Online Color-Chip Library

 

I just noticed on the colour chart that 'Mountain Green' has a 'Y' next to it, whereas in the Ford codes a 'U' is 'Meadow Green', which interestingly is not on the colour chart. Mystery solved and a new mystery to ponder?

 

Code Y is not listed in the 1948/56 Ford Truck Parts Catalog.

Code Y is listed in the 1949/59 Ford Passenger Car Parts Catalog, but not until 1957.

Y = Inca Gold 1957 / Y = Monarch Blue 1958.

There is no color of Mountain Green listed in either catalog.

 

From our research, the "Y" code in 1955 was called Mountain Green and was a 1955 Ford color but not a truck color. There are other F100s that have had the "Y" paint code and our original paint does look similar. We believe that the truck was special ordered in Mountain Green.

At first we thought our green was more Sea Sprite green, but as my picture shows above, when not in the light, it is darker.

Also, for comparison, here is a Y code restoration in progress:

HubGarage.com - Mark Mossell's Marmon Herrington Garage



Note on his Description page:

Exterior

• Body Mods: Siebert Coachworks Ranger conversion
• Paint: Mountain Green (Y code)
• Wheels: 16 x 5 optional
• Trim: Deluxe F100
• Lights: Stock F100
• Other: Stock F100

We believe this color is what we have found under the topcoat paint (original paint) is Mountain Green (Y) and that is was most likely special ordered. The truck has not been messed with 2 much and only has 42K original miles.

Phil

 

Sounds reasonable. So what are your plans? You mentioned the current paint job wasn't prepped well. Is it something you can live with or is there new paint in the future?

 

The truck was a gift to my wife for her bday (she's a huge Ford truck fan and I have an ongoing Camaro build - www.73camarobuild.com). We will work on both the camaro and the truck together, she will actually do most of the work on her truck. When I met her, she had a newer F350 that she was driving and I knew she was the one for me.

I just ordered a bunch of parts for the truck and the plan is to make it relaible and enjoy it for the summer/fall. As for specific plans, they will be her's. So far here is what she has told me:

Full restoration starting next Fall (complete nut and bolt):
- Keep it as original as possible (born with I6 driveline and 4 speed)
- Most likely a color change, but keep it to a '55 truck color - she does not like the Mountain Green
- White walls
- Complete wood bed kit
- Add turn signals
- Keep the interior original but restore it
- Chrome bumpers and grill
- Restore engine bay back to original colors
- Keep the 6v system

Near term:
- Make it reliable / safe (brakes, tune up, fix oil leaks)
- New battery, battery box, cables and starter solenoid
- Remove the home made rear bumper /tow hitch and put it back to original (we have the parts that cane with it).
- Replace the current Holley carb back to original
- Chrome Ford hub caps
- Paint the wheels (color to match body...tbd)

We do media blasting on the side to help pay for our hobby, so this truck will be totally town down and blasted next winter. This is the 1st build that we have done where the vehicle is actually complete, so I am really looking forward to working on it with her!

I think she plans on adding an F100 build section to my current Camaro site, so we should have plenty of pix to share over time.

Phil

 

Don't forget Lincoln's and Mercury's. That paint chart in post 8 says 1954/55 Ford, but while not so stating, includes Lincoln's and Mercury's.

Ford confusion: Ford is in-famous for using the same color codes for different colors for different vehicles in the exact same year!

 

Nothing wrong with serial number This is a Spring color code truck Y color code Mountain green