VIN Help
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From: Alameda, CA
VIN Help
I have used the search function and poked around on the interwebs, but I am left with more questions than answers as to the origin of my truck.
The VIN on the tag in the glove box reads (x replaces a digit):
F10R3RXXXX9
According to posts here and there, this means my truck was a 1953 Ford F100 with a 239 and was built in Richmond, CA.
The next line reads:
3.92 C 14 K 1714
Again, according to posts here and there, this means it had a standard 3 speed transmission, was glacier blue and manufactured on October 14, 1953.
Here are my questions:
1. According to Wikipedia (not always reliable) and the National Park Service, the Richmond, CA plant assembled its last Ford in Feb of 1953. However, the plant closed in 1956, is this true?
2. If the aforementioned is true, how did my truck get assembled on October 14, 1953?
2. Although some internet resources say so, there was not a Richmond, VA plant, correct?
3. What do the numbers 1714 represent?
Thanks in advance for any help!
BDL
The VIN on the tag in the glove box reads (x replaces a digit):
F10R3RXXXX9
According to posts here and there, this means my truck was a 1953 Ford F100 with a 239 and was built in Richmond, CA.
The next line reads:
3.92 C 14 K 1714
Again, according to posts here and there, this means it had a standard 3 speed transmission, was glacier blue and manufactured on October 14, 1953.
Here are my questions:
1. According to Wikipedia (not always reliable) and the National Park Service, the Richmond, CA plant assembled its last Ford in Feb of 1953. However, the plant closed in 1956, is this true?
2. If the aforementioned is true, how did my truck get assembled on October 14, 1953?
2. Although some internet resources say so, there was not a Richmond, VA plant, correct?
3. What do the numbers 1714 represent?
Thanks in advance for any help!
BDL
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Senior User
Joined: May 2012
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From: Alameda, CA
I used to have a cool little book that had a lot of factory/stock info and decoders for the F100 series. It's always been in the nightstand on the other side of the bed for years -- years.
She says she's never seen it. IDK, maybe I moved it.
Sigh.
Ford Parts Specialist
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 88,826
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From: Simi Valley, CA
I have used the search function and poked around on the interwebs, but I am left with more questions than answers as to the origin of my truck.
The VIN on the tag in the glove box reads (x replaces a digit):
F10R3RXXXX9
According to posts here and there, this means my truck is a 1953 Ford F100 with a 239 and was assembled in Richmond, CA
The next line reads: 3.92 C 14K1714
This means it has a Spicer 44 rear axle w/a 3.92-1 ratio / 3 speed manual transmission / glacier blue / assembled October 14, 1952.
Since new vehicle introduction time historically (since the 1930's) begins in September of the previous year, new vehicle production begins in August.
October 14, 1953 = 1954 vehicles were being assembled.
Here are my questions:
1. According to Wikipedia (not always reliable and the National Park Service, the Richmond, CA plant assembled its last Ford in Feb of 1953.
Total BS!
However, the plant closed in 1956, is this true?
Closed at the end of the 1955 model run, replaced by the brand new San Jose CA assembly plant beginning with the 1956 model run. The same R code applies to San Jose.
2. If the aforementioned is true, how did my truck get assembled on October 14, 1952?
Because, the aforementioned is false!
3. Although some clueless internet resources say so, there was not a Richmond, VA plant, correct?
Correct, Richmond CA / VA assembly plant located in Norfolk, code: N
The VIN on the tag in the glove box reads (x replaces a digit):
F10R3RXXXX9
According to posts here and there, this means my truck is a 1953 Ford F100 with a 239 and was assembled in Richmond, CA
The next line reads: 3.92 C 14K1714
This means it has a Spicer 44 rear axle w/a 3.92-1 ratio / 3 speed manual transmission / glacier blue / assembled October 14, 1952.
Since new vehicle introduction time historically (since the 1930's) begins in September of the previous year, new vehicle production begins in August.
October 14, 1953 = 1954 vehicles were being assembled.
Here are my questions:
1. According to Wikipedia (not always reliable and the National Park Service, the Richmond, CA plant assembled its last Ford in Feb of 1953.
Total BS! However, the plant closed in 1956, is this true? Closed at the end of the 1955 model run, replaced by the brand new San Jose CA assembly plant beginning with the 1956 model run. The same R code applies to San Jose.
2. If the aforementioned is true, how did my truck get assembled on October 14, 1952?
Because, the aforementioned is false!
3. Although some clueless internet resources say so, there was not a Richmond, VA plant, correct?
Correct, Richmond CA / VA assembly plant located in Norfolk, code: N
Irony: The Richmond plant is there today, recently restored by the city, rented out for mixed usage. Whiz over in your '53 F100, take a look-see, take some pics. Richmond (CA that is) not too far from Alameda.
San Jose plant torn down in 1980, replaced by a shopping mall.
Battleship USS Iowa towed from Suisun Bay to Richmond recently to have some resto work done (including painting outside of hull and superstructure after 21 years of accumulated bird crap was steamed cleaned off).
Now berthed in the Port of Los Angeles (San Pedro-berth #87), opens to the public 7/7/2012 as an interactive museum.
Originally Posted by theodore/teddy
Just a guess! IS it an X not a K?
not a K?
Refyred
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 2,083
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From: Southern Nevada
Good Morning Bill.
I don't have a book for the mid fifties. But my book 1 of 57-63 Ford parts catalog on page xxiii shows X = oct of the 2nd year. Thats where my guess came from.
No such thing as an X / A = January ~ M = December. The letter I is skipped.
Ford Parts Specialist
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 88,826
Likes: 784
From: Simi Valley, CA
X does not apply to 1948/55, but it does apply to 1956. New 1957 trucks were not introduced until January 1957 due to assembly line problems at the pilot plant.
FoMoCo kept 1956 trucks in production thru November 1956, so the dealers would have something to sell.
Letters following M (December) will also apply to 1965 and later specific year cars and trucks, depending on what year/month they were introduced.
1965 Mustang (April 1964-August 1965), 1969 Econoline (February 1968-August 1969), 1969 Continental Mark III (March 1968-August 1969), 1970 Maverick (June 1969-August 1970), 1983 Ranger (March 1982-August 1983).
Ford confusion: Even though all these vehicles were introduced the previous year, FoMoCo called 'em the following year.
So there's no such thing as a 1964 Mustang, 1968 Econoline/Mark III, 1969 Maverick or 1982 Ranger.
FoMoCo kept 1956 trucks in production thru November 1956, so the dealers would have something to sell.
Letters following M (December) will also apply to 1965 and later specific year cars and trucks, depending on what year/month they were introduced.
1965 Mustang (April 1964-August 1965), 1969 Econoline (February 1968-August 1969), 1969 Continental Mark III (March 1968-August 1969), 1970 Maverick (June 1969-August 1970), 1983 Ranger (March 1982-August 1983).
Ford confusion: Even though all these vehicles were introduced the previous year, FoMoCo called 'em the following year. So there's no such thing as a 1964 Mustang, 1968 Econoline/Mark III, 1969 Maverick or 1982 Ranger.
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Refyred
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From: Alameda, CA
FWIW, knowing my truck was born and raised in the SF Bay Area just like me and my family is kinda cool. I guess that's why there is virtually no rust at all on this baby. The odometer reads 15k or 19k and I think it may be original believe it or not. I've only seen my dad drive it maybe three times my whole life. When I was running around in it, I never went farther than San Leandro or so.
Once I get it running again, I'll take her to Richmond where she was born and do a little photo shoot. This October will be her 60th birthday.
Lame? Some might say so, but I really get a kick about it!
Thanks again to you all for the help.
BDL
Once I get it running again, I'll take her to Richmond where she was born and do a little photo shoot. This October will be her 60th birthday.
Lame? Some might say so, but I really get a kick about it!
Thanks again to you all for the help.
BDL
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