Production Numbers
 

I would like to know the production numbers for the 1931 68C and the 1931 160C

Re: Production Numbers
 

Re: Production Numbers
 

Unfortunatly production figures for the 68-C were "mixed in" with the 68-B within the count of Ford's 1931 production data (Assembly Record Type Production Figures).

The Briggs company would have those exact figures but they may have been destroyed. If not, they are hidden away at the Ford Archives.

With that here are the following 1931 production figures of both the 68-B and the 68-C:

Domestic:11801
Foreign:1182
England:282
Canada:441
TOTAL: 13706

1932 68-C production

Domestic:0
Foreign:146
England:0
Canada:68
TOTAL: 214

Same goes for the 160-C however a little more confusing because both Murray and Brings made this body style for Ford and the number for each is unknown PLUS the 160-C was also figured in with the 170-B Deluxe in the 1931 production data.

1931 production of the 170-B Deluxe and 160-C:

Domestic:3231
Foreign:1357
England:1
Canada:378
TOTAL: 4967

1932 production of the 160-C:

Domestic:0
Foreign:202
England:0
Canada:0
TOTAL: 202

HOWEVER...Not to confuse the issue, the following figures were broken down and may not be exact BUT close.

The 170-B Deluxe ended production in March of 1931 thus the 160-C entered production in April of 1931. More than likely there are some "mixes" of both in April 1931 but here are some close figures just for the 160-C in 1931 mind you that both Murray and Briggs are still in the mix:

Domestic:2489
Foreign:944
England:0
Canada:187
TOTAL: 3620

1932 production of 160-C:

Domestic:0
Foreign:202
England:0
Canada:0
TOTAL: 202


Pluck

Re: Production Numbers
 

Steve, Thank you for your input. I guess we will never know the exact production numbers for these rare cars.

68C Survivors
 

Let's take it a bit further to add some fun. How many 68Cs are still around and how many of those are drive able?

Re: Production Numbers
 

Great question...
My 68C will be "Street Legal" again on Tuesday after 65 years since the first owner's registration expired in '54... And fifty years since I bought it from the second.
So it's been a while (!!!) since it has been on the road
However, that ends next week.
I'll have all I need to drive it for the first time in decades (Loong story.):
Hagarty's e-mailed me my insurance card yesterday afternoon...
Greenwich Shell issued a vehicle verification certificate on Friday that is based on the engine number...
I've got the bill of sale...
But since CT DMV is closed on Monday, it's going to be Tuesday before you can include mine:
68C Briggs Body # 138-1060, flat firewall, engine #4496XXX
TallyHo!!!

John

Re: Production Numbers
 

John. Are you sure you have a 68C (slant windshield)? I am not aware of any 68Cs that had a flat firewall. There were 68Bs sold in 31 through the first couple of months though. I had one.

Just curious.

Re: Production Numbers
 

Hi Badger,
You're right, most.S/W. Cabriolets had indented firewalls.
However, mine is a farely early 68C, and yes, with the flat firewall...
I'm no.expert, but it seems to me that in early 31, (when the order came in to get the fuel shut-off away fromthe passenger's knees) was when the slant windshield cowls came in as well. So since the Briggs S/W Cabby cowl-assembly jigs could probably accommodate both old and new firewalls, it seems that they must have just used up all the flat ones they had on hand first. No waste that way...
It seems that I may have some kind of transition-period variant (a bit of an odd-ball?) with a mix of early/late shocks, and both type brake rod 'anti-rattlers', on the same car. It also has the painted mirror bracket.
The.Cabriolet Club has the best stats, natch, and their roster includes at least one flat-firewall 68C with a higher body # than mine.
Hope there's one at Hershey!
John

Re: Production Numbers
 

Just adding in that I knew of a flat firewall'd 68C. I believe the body tag was a two digit number. Was sold as part of the estate after the owner passed a few years ago.

-Tim

Re: Production Numbers
 

I stand corrected. A rare item indeed.

Re: Production Numbers
 

The highest known body tag for 68C is 68XX. It has an engine/frame number that is 4,830,XXX, real late Nov 1931. For privacy reasons I will not post the exact numbers. So there were between 6800 and 6900 68Cs made. The 68C body style has always been one of the more desirable body styles. Therefore there are proportionally more surviving 68Cs than most other body styles.


Bob

Re: Production Numbers
 

Has anyone ever searched the Detroit Public Library for anything dealing with or inherited from the Briggs Manufacturing Co. ??


JB

Re: Production Numbers
 

I have done some investigation into finding the records from the Briggs Manufacturing Co. I found the following;

"Chrysler Corporation, Briggs’ largest customer made an offer to purchase the entire US body building operation, lock, stock and barrel for $35 million. The sale took place on December, 29, 1953, and Chrysler assumed control of all of twelve Briggs plant"



So Chrysler-Fiat is the owner of any documentation that may exist. I have not personally contacted them. However I have been told by others who have contacted them that they may or may not have any of the documentation and it would be too much of a financial burden to look for that documentation.

Re: Production Numbers
 

The 68B that I restored to a high point Blue Ribbon did not have a body tag or any holes in the flat firewall to attach one. I still have the original patent plate with the engine number stamped on the back side of it. It was attached in the usual spot on firewall. The engine number with the *A xxxxx* was stamped on the side of frame rail not the top. Car was exported back to USA from Findland. My point is not all cabriolets were built the same.