Hello everyone, just looking to have a question answered that i havent managed to find on any forums so far. I have 1945 Ford Half Ton pickup which i am about to register. However the paperwork describes it as a 59C but the number on the chassis is 99C. There isnt a VIN plate in the glovebox. Can anyone explain why there is a difference between the 59C and 99C refferences.

Kevin

 

Technically Fords that old don't have a VIN which provides information about the vehicle, they have a serial number. Ford's practice was to make the engine, mate it to a transmission, then stamp the serial number of the engine onto the transmission. Ford's logic was the engine could be swapped for maintenance without changing the serialized parts of the vehicle. When the engine / transmission combo was installed in a chassis the serial number on the transmission was then stamped into the frame. What you have is a vehicle with a model designation of 59C, a 1945 Ford 1/2 ton that was originally fitted with a 239 cubic inch V8 commercial vehicle. The engine is a 99C engine. Your truck is probably near the last Fords made with a 99 designation engine. In the late 1930s through WW2 Ford designated their engine models based on the year of introduction and displacement. 99 engines were originally developed for use in the 1939 Mercuries and trucks with 239 cubic inch engines. Ford changed engine designations very soon after your truck was built, most 1945 through 1947 trucks (and through 1948 cars) got a 59 series engine with production starting in 1945 of the 239 cubic inch motors.
Confusing isn't it?

 

Thanks very much Fred, thats really helpful.
Kevin