I just found a 47 COE in excellent condition. I have also found the VIN number on top of the transmission and I believe I will eventually find the matching number on the cross member under the grill/radiator assembly. But what I would like to know is the actual history of the VIN#. Where was it made, where was it first sold and maybe who has owned it over the course of its life? Is something like that possible ?

Thank you.

 

Unfortunately it's highly unlikely that you'll ever find all the past owners of the truck. Most states won't release information like that unless you are law enforcement, that is if they even have it. Most you can hope for is to find old registrations or something like that in the trucks. You can try to with your way backwards thru past owners. Contact who you bought it from, see if they have the name of the one they bought it from, and so on. As far as who sold it, good luck, that will most likely never be found unless you find the very first owner. All the records Ford had for these trucks are long gone. Good luck, and feel free to post some pictures of your COE.

 

I have a '40 COE. Mine has a '46-48 59AB motor, and no number there.
The serial number on my truck is on the crossmember below/in front of the radiator.

From everything I've gathered, there's no assembly plant coding in this era. I wish I knew my truck's plant, also. I do have a 1945 registration card but I doubt Standard Oil has any paperwork on it.

 

We need pictures. Lots and lots of pictures!