The Ford Barn

marko · 10-15-2016, 12:41 PM

have a 1950 F1.. on the firewall are these letters/numbers stamped into it... MPC 81 A 3 H200

How do I figure out what this means?

Thanks,
Marko

TJ · 10-15-2016, 02:44 PM

MP could be the Memphis assembly plant, C is conventional wheel base pickup( F-1), not sure about the 81(could be the 81st pickup off the assembly line for a particular week), the A is probably the color which should be black, the 3 is for 3 speed transmission , the H should be for the 226 cubic inch 6 cylinder motor and I'm not sure about the 200 although it may have something to do with the motor. Firewall stampings are not the most accurate way to check the build history. The most accurate is the plate on the inside of the glove box door. The info I have supplied comes from my interpretation of the codes used in the 48-52 Ford Truck Chassis Parts Catalog.

rotorwrench · 10-15-2016, 03:19 PM

I would say that is pretty close. MT Flat can usually decipher the unknown bits like the "81". This was a good discussion about the firewall codes over on another forum: http://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/42...ut-off-47.html

Barry-ct · 10-15-2016, 05:06 PM

81 is the actual body style, like a conv. is a 76. It's in the front of the parts books.

mtflat · 10-16-2016, 12:13 PM

Is this truck from Canada?

marko · 10-16-2016, 12:45 PM

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)

Mt no, i don't think so.

this is what I have on the fire wall....MPC 81 A 3 H200

inside the glove box on the tag it reads..4700 LBS....98RC429918... 9RC

pj's junkers · 10-16-2016, 04:35 PM

The Ford patent plate on the firewall should read like *98RC *429918* then two letters which would tell you what plant made the truck 9 is 49-50 8 for V-8 R for V-8 and C for 1/2/ton. This is what is on the data plates on the F-1s tha I have.

Barry-ct · 10-16-2016, 05:52 PM

Could these be the numbers actually stamped in the sheet metal itself? Sure sounds like it.

marko · 10-16-2016, 06:17 PM

Barry
yes these numbers/letters are stamped into the sheet metal itself. I wished I said that the 1st time i posted this question.

mtflat · 10-16-2016, 08:18 PM

After giving this a second look, here's some ideas that seem to hold up from the available data.

In late 50, all the plants started to vary the pattern for Serial numbers. MP was one of the first. I have 3 similar numbers and comparing your serial number with others, this is my best guess:

Memphis assembly plant - MP
Half-ton standard cab - C81
Exterior color Black - A
Assembly date August 3 - 3H
Vehicle down the line - 200

Enjoy your truck!

marko · 10-17-2016, 04:24 AM

Thanks MT. Nice to know this info... and the trucks Birthday too.

10-15-2016, 12:41 PM	#1
marko Member Join Date: Oct 2014 Posts: 89	ford f1 firewall stamp.. how to read? have a 1950 F1.. on the firewall are these letters/numbers stamped into it... MPC 81 A 3 H200 How do I figure out what this means? Thanks, Marko

10-15-2016, 02:44 PM	#2
TJ Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Napa,California Posts: 6,029	Re: ford f1 firewall stamp.. how to read? MP could be the Memphis assembly plant, C is conventional wheel base pickup( F-1), not sure about the 81(could be the 81st pickup off the assembly line for a particular week), the A is probably the color which should be black, the 3 is for 3 speed transmission , the H should be for the 226 cubic inch 6 cylinder motor and I'm not sure about the 200 although it may have something to do with the motor. Firewall stampings are not the most accurate way to check the build history. The most accurate is the plate on the inside of the glove box door. The info I have supplied comes from my interpretation of the codes used in the 48-52 Ford Truck Chassis Parts Catalog.

10-15-2016, 03:19 PM	#3
rotorwrench Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: San Antonio, Texas Posts: 16,422	Re: ford f1 firewall stamp.. how to read? I would say that is pretty close. MT Flat can usually decipher the unknown bits like the "81". This was a good discussion about the firewall codes over on another forum: http://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/42...ut-off-47.html

10-15-2016, 05:06 PM	#4
Barry-ct Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Newington, Connecticut Posts: 1,374	Re: ford f1 firewall stamp.. how to read? 81 is the actual body style, like a conv. is a 76. It's in the front of the parts books. __________________ Barry 50 F-1

10-16-2016, 12:13 PM	#5
mtflat Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Kalispell Montana Posts: 344	Re: ford f1 firewall stamp.. how to read? Is this truck from Canada?

10-16-2016, 12:45 PM	#6
marko Member Join Date: Oct 2014 Posts: 89	Re: ford f1 firewall stamp.. how to read? Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) Mt no, i don't think so. this is what I have on the fire wall....MPC 81 A 3 H200 inside the glove box on the tag it reads..4700 LBS....98RC429918... 9RC

10-16-2016, 04:35 PM	#7
pj's junkers Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Vivian, La Posts: 215	Re: ford f1 firewall stamp.. how to read? The Ford patent plate on the firewall should read like 98RC 429918* then two letters which would tell you what plant made the truck 9 is 49-50 8 for V-8 R for V-8 and C for 1/2/ton. This is what is on the data plates on the F-1s tha I have.

10-16-2016, 05:52 PM	#8
Barry-ct Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Newington, Connecticut Posts: 1,374	Re: ford f1 firewall stamp.. how to read? Could these be the numbers actually stamped in the sheet metal itself? Sure sounds like it. __________________ Barry 50 F-1

10-16-2016, 06:17 PM	#9
marko Member Join Date: Oct 2014 Posts: 89	Re: ford f1 firewall stamp.. how to read? Barry yes these numbers/letters are stamped into the sheet metal itself. I wished I said that the 1st time i posted this question.

10-16-2016, 08:18 PM	#10
mtflat Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Kalispell Montana Posts: 344	Re: ford f1 firewall stamp.. how to read? After giving this a second look, here's some ideas that seem to hold up from the available data. In late 50, all the plants started to vary the pattern for Serial numbers. MP was one of the first. I have 3 similar numbers and comparing your serial number with others, this is my best guess: Memphis assembly plant - MP Half-ton standard cab - C81 Exterior color Black - A Assembly date August 3 - 3H Vehicle down the line - 200 Enjoy your truck!

10-17-2016, 04:24 AM	#11
marko Member Join Date: Oct 2014 Posts: 89	Re: ford f1 firewall stamp.. how to read? Thanks MT. Nice to know this info... and the trucks Birthday too.