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Old 04-20-2021, 02:30 PM   #21
Kube
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Default Re: 1940 Ford convertible body tags

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Originally Posted by 40larry View Post
Post No. 1 Your opening post. I think that our problem is which side is left and right. On your opening photo on left side of your posting there is a tag attached with drive nails on the upper part of firewall. The tag is on upper left side of the firewall and upper right side in the photo. What is on that tag?
Hey Larry, Just attempting to be certain you and I are talking about the same thing.
That tag, as V8Coopman recalled correctly, is the serial number of that car.
I have never been able to glean any information about that tag / serial number.
This car is extremely well documented as being special ordered for a sheriff.
There have been a few theories put forth as to what that number may signify but again, never any documentation via the BFRC.

Post #13 clearly depicts a proper '40 convertible body tag.
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Old 04-20-2021, 06:09 PM   #22
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Default Re: 1940 Ford convertible body tags

Mine has stamped number under hot air heater knockout. Number as best I can read is 18 b 234ch. Can't attach phot here, but will send to your personal email
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Old 04-20-2021, 07:54 PM   #23
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Default Re: 1940 Ford convertible body tags

Mike;

My 40 Cnvt has unsteady stamping under center heater hole -Hot air knockout :



1AR24CH

Gene Tulsa

Last edited by G32; 04-20-2021 at 08:01 PM. Reason: clairity
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Old 04-21-2021, 11:56 AM   #24
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Default Re: 1940 Ford convertible body tags

Quote:
Originally Posted by Kube View Post
Hey Larry, Just attempting to be certain you and I are talking about the same thing.
That tag, as V8Coopman recalled correctly, is the serial number of that car.
I have never been able to glean any information about that tag / serial number.
This car is extremely well documented as being special ordered for a sheriff.
There have been a few theories put forth as to what that number may signify but again, never any documentation via the BFRC.

Post #13 clearly depicts a proper '40 convertible body tag.
0


You are saying that the number on the tag is the VIN number for that vehicle? The number on the tag is same as stamped into the frame up front starting with 18- for car with 221cubic inch engine or 99- for a car built with the 239 cubic inch Mercury or truck engine? Never saw that before.......40larry
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Old 04-21-2021, 12:10 PM   #25
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Default Re: 1940 Ford convertible body tags

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0


You are saying that the number on the tag is the VIN number for that vehicle? The number on the tag is same as stamped into the frame up front starting with 18- for car with 221cubic inch engine or 99- for a car built with the 239 cubic inch Mercury or truck engine? Never saw that before.......40larry
Yes sir. The three along the frame as well as the title all match.
I'd never seen this before or since either. Nor, to reiterate, could I find a thing that would help figure out why this happened. ONLY a theory, but in 1940, these cars (with Mercury engines) were not a "mainstay" offering and the "program" to build such cars was in it's first year.
There were anomalies for certain in the numbering system of these special vehicles. Communication issues between assembly plants??? No defined method of numbering???

This particular coupe had been in the same family since new. It was passed to the son when the man that had ordered it passed in about 1972ish.
The documents that were saved was a treasure trove for weird guys like - I love this kind of stuff.
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Old 04-21-2021, 02:17 PM   #26
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Default Re: 1940 Ford convertible body tags

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Yes sir. The three along the frame as well as the title all match.
I'd never seen this before or since either. Nor, to reiterate, could I find a thing that would help figure out why this happened. ONLY a theory, but in 1940, these cars (with Mercury engines) were not a "mainstay" offering and the "program" to build such cars was in it's first year.
There were anomalies for certain in the numbering system of these special vehicles. Communication issues between assembly plants??? No defined method of numbering???

This particular coupe had been in the same family since new. It was passed to the son when the man that had ordered it passed in about 1972ish.
The documents that were saved was a treasure trove for weird guys like - I love this kind of stuff.

My attempt to read the numbers off the tag in the photo comes up with 1-62028270 which doesn't correspond to any VIN number for these cars. If I read it wrong what does it actually say?
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Old 04-21-2021, 03:35 PM   #27
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Default Re: 1940 Ford convertible body tags

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my attempt to read the numbers off the tag in the photo comes up with 1-62028270 which doesn't correspond to any vin number for these cars. If i read it wrong what does it actually say?
pc 2628270
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Old 04-21-2021, 07:45 PM   #28
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Default Re: 1940 Ford convertible body tags

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pc 2628270

Those numbers are not in the sequence of VIN numbers used in 1940 for either engine choice and they are on your frame?
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Old 04-21-2021, 07:56 PM   #29
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Default Re: 1940 Ford convertible body tags

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Those numbers are not in the sequence of VIN numbers used in 1940 for either engine choice and they are on your frame?
Yes sir, in all three places. The same number is also on the Western Union Telegram that notified the dealer that the car was built and ready to be picked up at the Rotunda.
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Old 04-22-2021, 11:50 AM   #30
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Default Re: 1940 Ford convertible body tags

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Yes sir, in all three places. The same number is also on the Western Union Telegram that notified the dealer that the car was built and ready to be picked up at the Rotunda.



Wow. That is amazing. This could create a problem if this car is ever registered for sale in an auction such as Barrett Jackson. They have experts inspect all the cars for proper VIN identification and numbering. Ask me how I know this........40larry
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Old 04-22-2021, 11:54 AM   #31
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Default Re: 1940 Ford convertible body tags

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Wow. That is amazing. This could create a problem if this car is ever registered for sale in an auction such as Barrett Jackson. They have experts inspect all the cars for proper VIN identification and numbering. Ask me how I know this........40larry
In my opinion there should be no issue. Having the title match the frame and all of the supporting documents I'd think should actually add to intrigue (read: value).
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Old 04-22-2021, 01:05 PM   #32
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Default Re: 1940 Ford convertible body tags

And, the fact that it is an "oddball", would probably push the "intrigue" even higher.
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Old 05-06-2021, 01:52 PM   #33
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Default Re: 1940 Ford convertible body tags

A friend of mine sent this photo of a very "original" '40 convertible with a body number tag.
I believe we can at minimum agree that there was no 100% "rule" of what bodies were numbered in 1940 and how.
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File Type: jpg tag.jpg (45.3 KB, 79 views)
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Old 05-06-2021, 11:49 PM   #34
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Default Re: 1940 Ford convertible body tags

For my 1939 Convertible Coupe, I would appreciate any leads for a body tag starting with 91A-76A-xxxxx

The picture provided here was from a Mercury, also drivers side above the voltage regulator.

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Old 05-07-2021, 08:19 AM   #35
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Default Re: 1940 Ford convertible body tags

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For my 1939 Convertible Coupe, I would appreciate any leads for a body tag starting with 91A-76A-xxxxx

The picture provided here was from a Mercury, also drivers side above the voltage regulator.

Mark
Attachment 462855


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That would be my Mercury in the above post/photo & I also believe our 40 Mercury Convertible Sedan has a body tag as well. I will look and post a picture IF wanted??
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Old 05-07-2021, 01:42 PM   #36
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Default Re: 1940 Ford convertible body tags

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Originally Posted by Kube View Post
A friend of mine sent this photo of a very "original" '40 convertible with a body number tag.
I believe we can at minimum agree that there was no 100% "rule" of what bodies were numbered in 1940 and how.

This tag gives an expected body number for the 1940 Ford convertible. It is held on with slotted head screws instead of drive nails and is mounted haphazardly on an angle. My 40 conv has no sign of holes for a tag in this area...........40larry
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Old 05-07-2021, 01:53 PM   #37
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Default Re: 1940 Ford convertible body tags

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This tag gives an expected body number for the 1940 Ford convertible. It is held on with slotted head screws instead of drive nails and is mounted haphazardly on an angle. My 40 conv has no sign of holes for a tag in this area...........40larry
I did note the screws which I find difficult to believe are authentic. However, there's no real way to know whether or not they are.
Does your car have indentations in the sheet metal in that area?
Every car I've seen has those, unless they have been filled.
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Old 05-08-2021, 01:36 PM   #38
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Default Re: 1940 Ford convertible body tags

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I did note the screws which I find difficult to believe are authentic. However, there's no real way to know whether or not they are.
Does your car have indentations in the sheet metal in that area?
Every car I've seen has those, unless they have been filled.

My car is untouched original and has no signs of tag. No indentations or holes. If you want to see photo please PM me with a number to text to..
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Old 05-08-2021, 07:15 PM   #39
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Default Re: 1940 Ford convertible body tags

Finally found the body tag that came with my 40 Convertible.
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File Type: jpg 116F610A-220A-433C-ADE5-151589FA2ED9.jpg (34.0 KB, 29 views)
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Old 05-08-2021, 07:55 PM   #40
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Default Re: 1940 Ford convertible body tags

Typically with the older body number plates like 1936 the tag starts with the model identification followed by the body type number and then the number in sequence built in the model year by the body manufacturer. Such as 01A for 1940, 66 for the Deluxe Convertible Club Coupe then as above in post #39, 1975 for the 1975 body made by the Mfg in 1940. There were a couple of different Mfg for the body one Mfg used the flat body plate another used the body plate with the embossed edge such as post#34 above. Only bodies mfg. by outside manufacturer for Ford had the body plate. Bodies made by Ford did not have the body plate. Typically open car bodies were made outside Ford. This is an explanation of the numbering and style of the body plates for the earlier Fords. It appears several of the body plates posted above for 1940 are in line with the 1936 body tags. It is possible Both Ford as well as their contracted body Manufactures made open car bodies, that may explain why some Convertible bodies do not have the plate???
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