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EFV-8 Club Forum / 1940 Ford Discussion / 1940 ford mfr serial decoding

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Discussion Topic: 1940 ford mfr serial decoding

sonny40

03-14-2010 @ 8:07 AM

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I have a 1940 ford convertible serial number that I am trying to decode it. The serial number is 185 329 666. I have been told my car is a late 39 early 40 because my ash trays lift up and the structure of my doors.

40 Coupe

03-14-2010 @ 8:21 AM

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the information available through the serial number is limited. For 1940 the serial number started 18-5210701 and ended 18-5896284 for 85HP Fords. if there are Mfg. bugs on the window glass this may also help date the Mfg. of your vehicle. The glass was made prior to the vehicle.

40guy

03-14-2010 @ 12:19 PM

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The Vin.# on 1940 Fords cannot be "de-coded" per se. That is to say there is nothing in the number to indicate color, options, delete items, etc. The previous post is good advice provided there is still some original glass in the car. I just hope the last three digits of your Vin. "666" isn't a bad omen for you! Just kidding. Congratulations on your aquisition of the car and have fun with it.

kubes40

03-16-2010 @ 7:54 AM

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I can tell you your engine (number) was produced between Nov. 1, 1939 and Dec. 1, 1939.
That gives you a slightly better 'feel'as to when your car was built.
However, one must understand that once the engine was tested and the transmission attached, only THEN did the number get stamped in to the transmission.
At that time this unit (engine / transmission) was shipped to an assembly plant. How long it sat at the assembly plant is anyone's guess.
Only when it was finally installed in a chassis was the number (on the transmission) stamped in to the frame rail.
Things like ash tray type, glass dates, wiper motor bracket (the way it was attached to the cowl), type of louvered grille sh*ll and corresponding trim are also indicators one must consider when attempting to 'date' their vehicle.
Here too, individual glass pieces were made sometimes two months in advance of usage, ash tray configuration was 'supposed' to change late Dec. 1939 / early Jan. 1940...
By the sounds of things your car was likely assembled as you suggest, late '39 / early '40.
Does your car sport any of the original glass?
Hope this helps,
Mike Kubarth

shogun1940

05-08-2010 @ 6:39 PM

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I have 1940 convert that i have owned since 1965 and the only numbers on the frame are 564002 so where do i stand in this dicussion. Ok so i went and found the 18 but i can not find the the last digit

This message was edited by shogun1940 on 6-12-10 @ 5:36 PM

kubes40

06-08-2010 @ 6:44 AM

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I apologize for over looking this question.
Still, I am unable to give you an authoritative response.
The number you allowed that is on your frame is missing not only the 18 prefix, it is one digit shy of a complete serial number. There are seven (7) digits after the 18 prefix.
Often the numbers were stamped lightly and after much time has passed they are difficult to see clearly.
If we are able to accept the fact that '564' is truly the first three digits, your engine / transmission assembly was completed between March 4,1940 and
March 29, 1940. That would mean (obviously) your car was built no earlier than March 4th but most likely later. Perhaps well in to April.
Hope this helps.
Mike Kubarth

shogun1940

06-12-2010 @ 5:39 PM

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kubes thanks for the info, unforuneatly when i had the body off i did not check mthe numbers on the rest of the frame even though i saw them

dochorsepower

05-22-2013 @ 5:06 PM

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Just curious, I sold a 1940 convertible in 1965. Where did you buy this?

shogun1940

05-29-2013 @ 6:46 PM

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bought the car in bellingham mass,with a 322 buick in it

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