9 = 1949/50
M = Big Flathaed Six Cylinder (This ensures your trucck is a 1950 as this engine was not offered in 1949
8_TH= F6 2-ton, 158" wheelbase
19981 = Vin sequence number. They used a different set of VIN #'s for the trucks with this engine in them.

By chance is there a set of numbers stamped into the cowiling just above the firewall in the engine compartment? This would provide tha assembly date and the color code.

 

Yes there is but truck is not close I'll get them some time and post. This was a bargain paid $150 at auction think it might run. The mice have been evicted Thanks for the info. The wheel base seems short I have not measured it but the trailer it was hauled on is 18 feet and the back wheels hung off the back.

 

I suspect it is right. Remember, 158" (13'-2") is the wheelbase, not overall length. I can certainly believe that your truck hung over the end of an 18' trailer.

 

Thanks Texan 2004 . Good to know what I have. Bob

 

We just purchased a 1949 Ford F-1 side step Pickup with a flat head 6 cylinder engine.
Vin #87HC144065
Unknown if raised or flat bed.
Small back window
3 speed manual transmission
on the floor.
Stamped on firewall 7KC7I15

Thanks for any information that you can give.

 

Vin #87HC144065

8 = 1948
7H = Flathead 6
C = 1/2 ton (F1)
144605 = Vin sequence number. Looks like a later 1948

Stamped on firewall 7KC7I15

Good you found this. This was not found as frequently on the 1948 trucks.

7 = Paint Code = Meadow Green
KC = Kansas City Assembly Plant
7115 = ?????

 

Hi all,

First post...
Picked up my 1950 F1 earlier this year and am finally making some headway. Here's her info to add to the database:

Registered as 1950
VIN# 97HC292021
Bed - raised panel
Don't think this is the original bed (cab is grey, base color on bed is green)
Transmission - heavy duty 3sp
Floor shift
# on firewall - 84F*85F5*3 as best I can tell. Can't make out two characters(*), also the 8 in center if string is located a full character higher than the rest.

The most recent registration sticker was from 1993. I suspect it was a flat bed in a previous life. The pick-up bed was not bolted on when I got it. Tail lights are frame mounted and are not visable because the bed hangs down over them. Mud flap bracket (extending full side to side) is bent down on both sides so the bed will sit on the frame. The rear springs look like those I've seen for much heavier trucks, with two stacks of leaves on top of each other. The glove box door and the ash tray door were chromed at one time. With new points, condensor, plugs, cap & rotor (and switching the battery cables back to a positive ground configuration) got the flat six to fire with a splash of gas and a jump a couple of weeks ago.

... and another project is on it's way ...

F1Tim

 

Welcome to FTE F1Tim

 

F1Tim

Good Luck. Enjoy the ride.

Canarsie Kid
1950 F1

 

I am wondering if you might have some sort of FrankenTruck.

The 97HC292021 is as follows:

9 = 1949/50. Yours is likely a 1950
7H = Flathead 6
C = 1/2 ton (F1)

Now to the firewall stamping:

84F*85F5*3

Any chance the first three characters might be RHF. This would indidcate the truck was built in Richmond, CA which makes some sense since it appears as though you are currently somewhere in CA. I have an example of another Richmond truck with this type of formatting on the firewall stamping. Most other plants put the paint code before the assembly code but it would appear from what I have collected that Richmond's formatting for these numbers/codes was different.

Assuming I am correct:

RH = Richmond Assembly plant
F* = In your case, the * should be a 1 unless you have a cab from a larger truck

8 = Could be a paint code, not real certain particularly since it was stamped "offest higher"

5F = Likely a date code that would indicate June 5, 1950. This would be consitent (not out of sequence) with other Richmond Vins we have managed to collect.

5*3 = Some sort of plant spefic codes. We have never managed to figure these out.

Would be great if you could confirm the first two characters are in fact RH and that the fourth character is a "1". Good luck with the project and welcome to FTE.

 

Thanks for the kind words and the info.

Texan2004, I'll take a better look at those firewall stampings over the weekend and let you know what I find.

 

Texan is the MAN. If he can't figure out the code you probbaly have a Chevy! He got mine down to date it was manufactured and where. Very impressive.

Canarsie Kid

 

Thanks for the kind words but it was Tim (mtflat) that taught me eveything I know.

 

Actually Carl and I hammered most of this stuff out together - he's too modest. He has been compiling this data into something we can actually use while I just connect loose ends.

We make a pretty good team I think!


rlescheck:
Vin #87HC144065

8 = 1948
7H = Flathead 6
C = 1/2 ton (F1)
144605 = Vin sequence number. Looks like a later 1948

Stamped on firewall 7KC7I15

Is there a chance this might read 7KC 7J 15?? That would put it at September 7 build date.
Also it's likely it was originally titled as a '49 - many states titled in the year of sale, not necessarily year of build.

f1tim: I'm drawing a blank beyond what Carl listed on your firewall. How many front leaves in your front springs? That might pin it down. There were aftermarket helpers that were installed on the rears, even on halftons, but the fronts are usually left stock.

 

Texan2004, I got in there with a wire brush and flashlight, and yes, the first three characters are RHF. The fourth character was probably ment to be a 1, although it liiks like an I (maybe the assembler lost his 1 and made a close substitution). The fifth character (offset higher) is not an 8, it is an S. The last five characters are 5F563. (I've been told for years that I need glasses...).

mtflat, the front springs look stock, but I'll count the leaves tonight and let you know.

A few more things about her. She has right and left side windshield wipers, a Magic Air heater, and what I think is a Trico vacuum pump mounted on the firewall just below the data tag (haven't found any markings yet on the vacuum pump).

F1Tim