Scheme guide · 1955–1959
Ford Division 10-character serial number (Ford cars and Thunderbird), 1955–1959
What each character of a 1955–1959 Ford VIN means, with the factory or regulatory source for every code.
9 sources · 83 sourced codes · decode a VIN
Character by character
| Positions | Field | How it is read |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Engine | See the code table below |
| 2 | Model year | See the code table below |
| 3 | Assembly plant | See the code table below |
| 4 | Body style | See the code table below |
| 5–10 | Consecutive unit number | Production sequence number |
Where to find it: 1955–1956: the patent (serial) plate is on the left front body pillar, except on Thunderbird, where it is on the dash panel in the engine compartment (1953–56 Ford Car factory plate page). The number is printed between asterisks, e.g. *U6FV100501*; enter it without the asterisks. 1957–1959: no sourced location is held in this pack.
Engine codes
| Code | Meaning | Applies to | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
A |
223 cu in six (120 hp) | model year 1955 | 1955 Ford car data plate codes — Serial Numbers & Production Codes, Engine codes, 1955; Tech Talk — 1955-56 Ford VIN Plate (club newsletter reprint, with a reprinted 1957 factory page), p. 5 table |
U |
272 cu in V-8 (162 hp) | model year 1955 | 1955 Ford car data plate codes — Serial Numbers & Production Codes, Engine codes, 1955; Tech Talk — 1955-56 Ford VIN Plate (club newsletter reprint, with a reprinted 1957 factory page), p. 5 table and typescript example *U5LV100001* |
M |
272 cu in V-8, 182 hp Special (Power Pack) | model year 1955 | 1955 Ford car data plate codes — Serial Numbers & Production Codes, Engine codes, 1955 ('Special V-8', 'Power Pack'); Tech Talk — 1955-56 Ford VIN Plate (club newsletter reprint, with a reprinted 1957 factory page), p. 5 table ('182 H.P. Special') |
P |
292 cu in V-8 (Thunderbird; Police Interceptor) | model year 1955 | 1955 Ford car data plate codes — Serial Numbers & Production Codes, Engine codes, 1955; Tech Talk — 1955-56 Ford VIN Plate (club newsletter reprint, with a reprinted 1957 factory page), p. 5 table ('Thunderbird and Special Law Enforcement'); Data Plate Decoder — Code Tables (1955–1957 Thunderbird), Engine table, 1955 |
A |
223 cu in six (137 hp) | model year 1956 | 1956 Ford car data plate codes — Serial Numbers & Production Codes, Engine codes, 1956; Tech Talk — 1955-56 Ford VIN Plate (club newsletter reprint, with a reprinted 1957 factory page), p. 6 table |
U |
272 cu in V-8 (173/176 hp) | model year 1956 | 1956 Ford car data plate codes — Serial Numbers & Production Codes, Engine codes, 1956; Tech Talk — 1955-56 Ford VIN Plate (club newsletter reprint, with a reprinted 1957 factory page), p. 6 table; 1953-56 Ford Car patent plate decoding page (factory page, 'Copyright 1955 Ford Motor Company'), Example *U6FV100501* ('8-cyl OHV 272 cu in') |
M |
292 cu in V-8 (200/202 hp) | model year 1956 | 1956 Ford car data plate codes — Serial Numbers & Production Codes, Engine codes, 1956 (Thunderbird V-8 and Special Police); Tech Talk — 1955-56 Ford VIN Plate (club newsletter reprint, with a reprinted 1957 factory page), p. 6 table; Data Plate Decoder — Code Tables (1955–1957 Thunderbird), Engine table, 1956 ('292 4V 202 hp') |
P |
312 cu in V-8 (Thunderbird Special; Police Interceptor) | model year 1956 | 1956 Ford car data plate codes — Serial Numbers & Production Codes, Engine codes, 1956; Tech Talk — 1955-56 Ford VIN Plate (club newsletter reprint, with a reprinted 1957 factory page), p. 6 table; Data Plate Decoder — Code Tables (1955–1957 Thunderbird), Engine table, 1956 and example *P6FH221739* |
A |
223 cu in six (144 hp) | model year 1957 | Ford Engine Codes 1957 through 1959; Assembly Plant Codes 1957–59; Door Data Plate 1957–59, Engine codes 1957 |
B |
272 cu in V-8 (190 hp) | model year 1957 | Ford Engine Codes 1957 through 1959; Assembly Plant Codes 1957–59; Door Data Plate 1957–59, Engine codes 1957 |
C |
292 cu in V-8, 2-venturi carburetor | model year 1957 | Tech Talk — 1955-56 Ford VIN Plate (club newsletter reprint, with a reprinted 1957 factory page), p. 1, reprinted 1957 factory page, example *C7FV100501*; Data Plate Decoder — Code Tables (1955–1957 Thunderbird), Engine table, 1957 ('292 2V 212 hp'); Ford Engine Codes 1957 through 1959; Assembly Plant Codes 1957–59; Door Data Plate 1957–59, Engine codes 1957 (292/206 and 292/212) |
D |
312 cu in V-8, 4V (245 hp) | model year 1957 | Data Plate Decoder — Code Tables (1955–1957 Thunderbird), Engine table, 1957; Ford Engine Codes 1957 through 1959; Assembly Plant Codes 1957–59; Door Data Plate 1957–59, Engine codes 1957 and example D7FV109300 |
E |
312 cu in V-8, 8V (270/285 hp) | model year 1957 | Data Plate Decoder — Code Tables (1955–1957 Thunderbird), Engine table, 1957 ('312 8V 270 hp, available 10/1956'); Ford Engine Codes 1957 through 1959; Assembly Plant Codes 1957–59; Door Data Plate 1957–59, Engine codes 1957 (312/270 and 312/285) |
F |
312 cu in V-8, supercharged (300 hp) | model year 1957 | Data Plate Decoder — Code Tables (1955–1957 Thunderbird), Engine table, 1957 ('312 4V supercharged 300 hp, available 2/1957'); Ford Engine Codes 1957 through 1959; Assembly Plant Codes 1957–59; Door Data Plate 1957–59, Engine codes 1957 (312/300) |
A |
223 cu in six (145 hp) | model years 1958–1959 | Ford Engine Codes 1957 through 1959; Assembly Plant Codes 1957–59; Door Data Plate 1957–59, Engine codes 1958 and 1959; SoCal Galaxie Club model-year identification pages (1959–1962), /1959, engine list ('223 1V') |
B |
332 cu in V-8 (240 hp) | model year 1958 | Ford Engine Codes 1957 through 1959; Assembly Plant Codes 1957–59; Door Data Plate 1957–59, Engine codes 1958 |
C |
292 cu in V-8 (205 hp) | model year 1958 | Ford Engine Codes 1957 through 1959; Assembly Plant Codes 1957–59; Door Data Plate 1957–59, Engine codes 1958 |
G |
332 cu in V-8 (265 hp) | model year 1958 | Ford Engine Codes 1957 through 1959; Assembly Plant Codes 1957–59; Door Data Plate 1957–59, Engine codes 1958 |
H |
352 cu in V-8 (300 hp) | model years 1958–1959 | Ford Engine Codes 1957 through 1959; Assembly Plant Codes 1957–59; Door Data Plate 1957–59, Engine codes 1958 and 1959; SoCal Galaxie Club model-year identification pages (1959–1962), /1959, engine list ('352 4V') |
J |
430 cu in V-8 (375 hp) | model years 1958–1959 | Ford Engine Codes 1957 through 1959; Assembly Plant Codes 1957–59; Door Data Plate 1957–59, Engine codes 1958 and 1959 |
B |
332 cu in V-8 (225 hp) | model year 1959 | Ford Engine Codes 1957 through 1959; Assembly Plant Codes 1957–59; Door Data Plate 1957–59, Engine codes 1959; SoCal Galaxie Club model-year identification pages (1959–1962), /1959, engine list ('332 2V') |
C |
292 cu in V-8 (200 hp) | model year 1959 | Ford Engine Codes 1957 through 1959; Assembly Plant Codes 1957–59; Door Data Plate 1957–59, Engine codes 1959; SoCal Galaxie Club model-year identification pages (1959–1962), /1959, engine list ('292 2V') |
Model year codes
| Code | Meaning | Applies to | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
5 |
1955 | all | 1953-56 Ford Car patent plate decoding page (factory page, 'Copyright 1955 Ford Motor Company'), Model year list (3=1953, 4=1954, 5=1955, 6=1956); 1955 Ford car data plate codes — Serial Numbers & Production Codes, Example and layout |
6 |
1956 | all | 1953-56 Ford Car patent plate decoding page (factory page, 'Copyright 1955 Ford Motor Company'), Model year list and example *U6FV100501* |
7 |
1957 | all | Tech Talk — 1955-56 Ford VIN Plate (club newsletter reprint, with a reprinted 1957 factory page), p. 1, reprinted 1957 factory page (7 = 1957); Ford Engine Codes 1957 through 1959; Assembly Plant Codes 1957–59; Door Data Plate 1957–59, Door data plate page, example D7FV109300 |
8 |
1958 | all | Identify your Thunderbird — Square Bird 1958–60, 1958 example H8YH109299 |
9 |
1959 | all | Identify your Thunderbird — Square Bird 1958–60, 1959 example H9YH100532 |
Assembly plant codes
| Code | Meaning | Applies to | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
A |
Atlanta | model years 1955–1957 | 1953-56 Ford Car patent plate decoding page (factory page, 'Copyright 1955 Ford Motor Company'), Assembly plant list; Tech Talk — 1955-56 Ford VIN Plate (club newsletter reprint, with a reprinted 1957 factory page), p. 1, reprinted 1957 factory page, plant list |
B |
Buffalo | model years 1955–1957 | 1953-56 Ford Car patent plate decoding page (factory page, 'Copyright 1955 Ford Motor Company'), Assembly plant list; Tech Talk — 1955-56 Ford VIN Plate (club newsletter reprint, with a reprinted 1957 factory page), p. 1, reprinted 1957 factory page, plant list |
C |
Chester | model years 1955–1957 | 1953-56 Ford Car patent plate decoding page (factory page, 'Copyright 1955 Ford Motor Company'), Assembly plant list; Tech Talk — 1955-56 Ford VIN Plate (club newsletter reprint, with a reprinted 1957 factory page), p. 1, reprinted 1957 factory page, plant list |
D |
Dallas | model years 1955–1957 | 1953-56 Ford Car patent plate decoding page (factory page, 'Copyright 1955 Ford Motor Company'), Assembly plant list; Tech Talk — 1955-56 Ford VIN Plate (club newsletter reprint, with a reprinted 1957 factory page), p. 1, reprinted 1957 factory page, plant list |
E |
Mahwah | model years 1955–1957 | 1953-56 Ford Car patent plate decoding page (factory page, 'Copyright 1955 Ford Motor Company'), Assembly plant list; Tech Talk — 1955-56 Ford VIN Plate (club newsletter reprint, with a reprinted 1957 factory page), p. 1, reprinted 1957 factory page, plant list |
F |
Dearborn | model years 1955–1957 | 1953-56 Ford Car patent plate decoding page (factory page, 'Copyright 1955 Ford Motor Company'), Assembly plant list; Tech Talk — 1955-56 Ford VIN Plate (club newsletter reprint, with a reprinted 1957 factory page), p. 1, reprinted 1957 factory page, plant list |
G |
Chicago | model years 1955–1957 | 1953-56 Ford Car patent plate decoding page (factory page, 'Copyright 1955 Ford Motor Company'), Assembly plant list; Tech Talk — 1955-56 Ford VIN Plate (club newsletter reprint, with a reprinted 1957 factory page), p. 1, reprinted 1957 factory page, plant list |
K |
Kansas City | model years 1955–1957 | 1953-56 Ford Car patent plate decoding page (factory page, 'Copyright 1955 Ford Motor Company'), Assembly plant list; Tech Talk — 1955-56 Ford VIN Plate (club newsletter reprint, with a reprinted 1957 factory page), p. 1, reprinted 1957 factory page, plant list |
L |
Long Beach | model years 1955–1957 | 1953-56 Ford Car patent plate decoding page (factory page, 'Copyright 1955 Ford Motor Company'), Assembly plant list; Tech Talk — 1955-56 Ford VIN Plate (club newsletter reprint, with a reprinted 1957 factory page), p. 1, reprinted 1957 factory page, plant list |
M |
Memphis | model years 1955–1957 | 1953-56 Ford Car patent plate decoding page (factory page, 'Copyright 1955 Ford Motor Company'), Assembly plant list; Tech Talk — 1955-56 Ford VIN Plate (club newsletter reprint, with a reprinted 1957 factory page), p. 1, reprinted 1957 factory page, plant list |
N |
Norfolk | model years 1955–1957 | 1953-56 Ford Car patent plate decoding page (factory page, 'Copyright 1955 Ford Motor Company'), Assembly plant list; Tech Talk — 1955-56 Ford VIN Plate (club newsletter reprint, with a reprinted 1957 factory page), p. 1, reprinted 1957 factory page, plant list |
P |
Twin City (St. Paul) | model years 1955–1957 | 1953-56 Ford Car patent plate decoding page (factory page, 'Copyright 1955 Ford Motor Company'), Assembly plant list; Tech Talk — 1955-56 Ford VIN Plate (club newsletter reprint, with a reprinted 1957 factory page), p. 1, reprinted 1957 factory page, plant list |
R |
San Jose | model years 1955–1957 | 1953-56 Ford Car patent plate decoding page (factory page, 'Copyright 1955 Ford Motor Company'), Assembly plant list; Tech Talk — 1955-56 Ford VIN Plate (club newsletter reprint, with a reprinted 1957 factory page), p. 1, reprinted 1957 factory page, plant list |
S |
Somerville | model years 1955–1957 | 1953-56 Ford Car patent plate decoding page (factory page, 'Copyright 1955 Ford Motor Company'), Assembly plant list; Tech Talk — 1955-56 Ford VIN Plate (club newsletter reprint, with a reprinted 1957 factory page), p. 1, reprinted 1957 factory page, plant list |
U |
Louisville | model years 1955–1957 | 1953-56 Ford Car patent plate decoding page (factory page, 'Copyright 1955 Ford Motor Company'), Assembly plant list; Tech Talk — 1955-56 Ford VIN Plate (club newsletter reprint, with a reprinted 1957 factory page), p. 1, reprinted 1957 factory page, plant list |
A |
Atlanta | model years 1958–1959 | Ford Engine Codes 1957 through 1959; Assembly Plant Codes 1957–59; Door Data Plate 1957–59, Assembly plant codes 1957–59; SoCal Galaxie Club model-year identification pages (1959–1962), /1959, plant list |
C |
Chester | model years 1958–1959 | Ford Engine Codes 1957 through 1959; Assembly Plant Codes 1957–59; Door Data Plate 1957–59, Assembly plant codes 1957–59; SoCal Galaxie Club model-year identification pages (1959–1962), /1959, plant list |
D |
Dallas | model years 1958–1959 | Ford Engine Codes 1957 through 1959; Assembly Plant Codes 1957–59; Door Data Plate 1957–59, Assembly plant codes 1957–59; SoCal Galaxie Club model-year identification pages (1959–1962), /1959, plant list |
E |
Mahwah | model years 1958–1959 | Ford Engine Codes 1957 through 1959; Assembly Plant Codes 1957–59; Door Data Plate 1957–59, Assembly plant codes 1957–59; SoCal Galaxie Club model-year identification pages (1959–1962), /1959, plant list |
F |
Dearborn | model years 1958–1959 | Ford Engine Codes 1957 through 1959; Assembly Plant Codes 1957–59; Door Data Plate 1957–59, Assembly plant codes 1957–59; SoCal Galaxie Club model-year identification pages (1959–1962), /1959, plant list |
G |
Chicago | model years 1958–1959 | Ford Engine Codes 1957 through 1959; Assembly Plant Codes 1957–59; Door Data Plate 1957–59, Assembly plant codes 1957–59; SoCal Galaxie Club model-year identification pages (1959–1962), /1959, plant list |
H |
Lorain | model years 1958–1959 | Ford Engine Codes 1957 through 1959; Assembly Plant Codes 1957–59; Door Data Plate 1957–59, Assembly plant codes 1957–59; SoCal Galaxie Club model-year identification pages (1959–1962), /1959, plant list |
J |
Los Angeles | model years 1958–1959 | Ford Engine Codes 1957 through 1959; Assembly Plant Codes 1957–59; Door Data Plate 1957–59, Assembly plant codes 1957–59; SoCal Galaxie Club model-year identification pages (1959–1962), /1959, plant list |
K |
Kansas City | model years 1958–1959 | Ford Engine Codes 1957 through 1959; Assembly Plant Codes 1957–59; Door Data Plate 1957–59, Assembly plant codes 1957–59; SoCal Galaxie Club model-year identification pages (1959–1962), /1959, plant list |
L |
Long Beach | model years 1958–1959 | Ford Engine Codes 1957 through 1959; Assembly Plant Codes 1957–59; Door Data Plate 1957–59, Assembly plant codes 1957–59 |
M |
Memphis | model years 1958–1959 | Ford Engine Codes 1957 through 1959; Assembly Plant Codes 1957–59; Door Data Plate 1957–59, Assembly plant codes 1957–59 |
N |
Norfolk | model years 1958–1959 | Ford Engine Codes 1957 through 1959; Assembly Plant Codes 1957–59; Door Data Plate 1957–59, Assembly plant codes 1957–59; SoCal Galaxie Club model-year identification pages (1959–1962), /1959, plant list |
P |
Twin Cities | model years 1958–1959 | Ford Engine Codes 1957 through 1959; Assembly Plant Codes 1957–59; Door Data Plate 1957–59, Assembly plant codes 1957–59; SoCal Galaxie Club model-year identification pages (1959–1962), /1959, plant list |
R |
San Jose | model years 1958–1959 | Ford Engine Codes 1957 through 1959; Assembly Plant Codes 1957–59; Door Data Plate 1957–59, Assembly plant codes 1957–59; SoCal Galaxie Club model-year identification pages (1959–1962), /1959, plant list |
S |
Pilot Plant | model years 1958–1959 | Ford Engine Codes 1957 through 1959; Assembly Plant Codes 1957–59; Door Data Plate 1957–59, Assembly plant codes 1957–59; SoCal Galaxie Club model-year identification pages (1959–1962), /1959, plant list |
T |
Metuchen | model years 1958–1959 | Ford Engine Codes 1957 through 1959; Assembly Plant Codes 1957–59; Door Data Plate 1957–59, Assembly plant codes 1957–59 |
U |
Louisville | model years 1958–1959 | Ford Engine Codes 1957 through 1959; Assembly Plant Codes 1957–59; Door Data Plate 1957–59, Assembly plant codes 1957–59; SoCal Galaxie Club model-year identification pages (1959–1962), /1959, plant list |
W |
Wayne | model years 1958–1959 | Ford Engine Codes 1957 through 1959; Assembly Plant Codes 1957–59; Door Data Plate 1957–59, Assembly plant codes 1957–59 |
Y |
Wixom | model years 1958–1959 | Ford Engine Codes 1957 through 1959; Assembly Plant Codes 1957–59; Door Data Plate 1957–59, Assembly plant codes 1957–59 |
Z |
St. Louis | model years 1958–1959 | Ford Engine Codes 1957 through 1959; Assembly Plant Codes 1957–59; Door Data Plate 1957–59, Assembly plant codes 1957–59 |
Body style codes
| Code | Meaning | Applies to | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
C |
Convertible | model years 1955–1959 | Body Style Codes, Ford 1953–1959 (scanned printed matrix), Body Style Codes matrix, C row; Tech Talk — 1955-56 Ford VIN Plate (club newsletter reprint, with a reprinted 1957 factory page), p. 5 and p. 6 tables |
F |
Skyliner | model year 1955 | Body Style Codes, Ford 1953–1959 (scanned printed matrix), Body Style Codes matrix, F row, 1955; Tech Talk — 1955-56 Ford VIN Plate (club newsletter reprint, with a reprinted 1957 factory page), p. 5 table |
F |
Fordor Victoria | model year 1956 | Body Style Codes, Ford 1953–1959 (scanned printed matrix), Body Style Codes matrix, F row, 1956; Tech Talk — 1955-56 Ford VIN Plate (club newsletter reprint, with a reprinted 1957 factory page), p. 6 table ('Victoria (Fairlane Fordor)') |
F |
Ranchero | model years 1957–1959 | Body Style Codes, Ford 1953–1959 (scanned printed matrix), Body Style Codes matrix, F row, 1957–1959 |
H |
Thunderbird | model years 1955–1959 | Body Style Codes, Ford 1953–1959 (scanned printed matrix), Body Style Codes matrix, H row; Data Plate Decoder — Code Tables (1955–1957 Thunderbird), 1955–1957 serial examples and first/last serials |
W |
Mainline Ranch Wagon | model year 1955 | Body Style Codes, Ford 1953–1959 (scanned printed matrix), Body Style Codes matrix, W row, 1955; Tech Talk — 1955-56 Ford VIN Plate (club newsletter reprint, with a reprinted 1957 factory page), p. 5 table ('Ranch Wagon (Mainline)') |
W |
Crown Victoria | model year 1956 | Body Style Codes, Ford 1953–1959 (scanned printed matrix), Body Style Codes matrix, W row, 1956; Tech Talk — 1955-56 Ford VIN Plate (club newsletter reprint, with a reprinted 1957 factory page), p. 6 table |
W |
Fairlane 500 Hide-Away Hardtop | model years 1957–1959 | Body Style Codes, Ford 1953–1959 (scanned printed matrix), Body Style Codes matrix, W row, 1957–1959 |
R |
Customline Ranch Wagon | model years 1955–1956 | Body Style Codes, Ford 1953–1959 (scanned printed matrix), Body Style Codes matrix, R row, 1954–1956; Tech Talk — 1955-56 Ford VIN Plate (club newsletter reprint, with a reprinted 1957 factory page), p. 5 and p. 6 tables ('Ranch Wagon (Customline)') |
R |
Custom and Custom 300 Ranch Wagon and Country Sedan | model years 1957–1959 | Body Style Codes, Ford 1953–1959 (scanned printed matrix), Body Style Codes matrix, R row, 1957–1959 |
S |
Sedan Delivery | model years 1955–1958 | Body Style Codes, Ford 1953–1959 (scanned printed matrix), Body Style Codes matrix, S row, 1953–1958; Tech Talk — 1955-56 Ford VIN Plate (club newsletter reprint, with a reprinted 1957 factory page), p. 5 and p. 6 tables |
S |
Fairlane 500 Tudor and Fordor, Galaxie series | model year 1959 | Body Style Codes, Ford 1953–1959 (scanned printed matrix), Body Style Codes matrix, S row, 1959 |
T |
Fairlane Tudor and Fordor sedan | model years 1955–1956 | Body Style Codes, Ford 1953–1959 (scanned printed matrix), Body Style Codes matrix, T row, 1955–1956; Tech Talk — 1955-56 Ford VIN Plate (club newsletter reprint, with a reprinted 1957 factory page), p. 5 and p. 6 tables |
T |
Fairlane and Fairlane 500 Town Sedan and Club Sedan | model years 1957–1959 | Body Style Codes, Ford 1953–1959 (scanned printed matrix), Body Style Codes matrix, T row, 1957–1959 |
V |
Tudor Victoria | model years 1955–1956 | Body Style Codes, Ford 1953–1959 (scanned printed matrix), Body Style Codes matrix, V row, 1953–1956; 1953-56 Ford Car patent plate decoding page (factory page, 'Copyright 1955 Ford Motor Company'), Example *U6FV100501*, V = Victoria body style (plate body 64C, Victoria—Fairlane Tudor) |
V |
Fairlane and Fairlane 500 Town and Club Victoria | model years 1957–1959 | Body Style Codes, Ford 1953–1959 (scanned printed matrix), Body Style Codes matrix, V row, 1957–1959; Tech Talk — 1955-56 Ford VIN Plate (club newsletter reprint, with a reprinted 1957 factory page), p. 1, reprinted 1957 factory page ('Victoria body style—Fairlane or Fairlane 500') |
X |
Country Sedan | model years 1955–1958 | Body Style Codes, Ford 1953–1959 (scanned printed matrix), Body Style Codes matrix, X row, 1953–1958; Tech Talk — 1955-56 Ford VIN Plate (club newsletter reprint, with a reprinted 1957 factory page), p. 5 and p. 6 tables |
X |
Commercial Ranch Wagon | model year 1959 | Body Style Codes, Ford 1953–1959 (scanned printed matrix), Body Style Codes matrix, X row, 1959 |
Y |
Country Squire | model years 1955–1959 | Body Style Codes, Ford 1953–1959 (scanned printed matrix), Body Style Codes matrix, Y row; Tech Talk — 1955-56 Ford VIN Plate (club newsletter reprint, with a reprinted 1957 factory page), p. 5 and p. 6 tables |
G |
All other Mainline and Customline Tudor and Fordor | model years 1955–1956 | Body Style Codes, Ford 1953–1959 (scanned printed matrix), Body Style Codes matrix, G row, 1953–1956; Tech Talk — 1955-56 Ford VIN Plate (club newsletter reprint, with a reprinted 1957 factory page), p. 5 and p. 6 tables ('all other') |
G |
Custom and Custom 300 Tudor and Fordor | model years 1957–1959 | Body Style Codes, Ford 1953–1959 (scanned printed matrix), Body Style Codes matrix, G row, 1957–1959 |
Cautions for this scheme
- This is the serial (patent/warranty plate) number, decoded by rule. It does not prove the car is what the number says, and it does not prove the engine now in the car is the original.
- The plate's second line (body type, paint, trim, date, transmission and axle codes from 1957) is not part of this number and is not decoded here.
- Body-style letters come from a scanned Ford body-code table of unknown catalog provenance, cross-checked for 1955–1956 against club and factory material. 1957 engine letters other than C, and all 1958–1959 engine and plant letters, come from uncited vendor and club tables (secondary): the 1958 Ford Car and 1958 Thunderbird shop manuals and the 1959 Ford Car Shop Manual demo that were checked carry no identification page, and no factory 1957–1959 identification table was found. Treat 1957–1959 decodes as secondary-reference quality.
- A 1958–1959 Edsel serial has exactly the shape of a Ford serial (engine letter, year digit, plant letter, body letter, six-digit unit number; for example W8UG709855), so it cannot be told apart from a Ford serial by rule and this pack will decode it with Ford meanings. If the car is an Edsel, the engine, plant and body meanings shown here do not apply; Edsel letter meanings are not published; the separate edsel-1958-1959 pack offers the same number as an Edsel candidate that reads only the model year (see also the Lincoln-Mercury-Edsel not-decodable record).
- Mercury and Lincoln cars of 1955–1959 are not decodable by rule (no factory serial explanation was reachable; see data/decoder/rule-packs/lincoln-mercury-edsel-1955-1959-not-decodable.md); Edsel serials are offered to the edsel-1958-1959 pack as well as to this one.
Where the sources disagree
- {"topic":"1955 body letters F and W (Crown Victoria)","claims":[{"claim":"F = Skyliner and W = Mainline Ranch Wagon for 1955.","source":{"id":"vin-ford-1953-59-body-style-codes-scan","locator":"Body Style Codes matrix, 1955 column"}},{"claim":"The same newsletter\u0027s typescript says F = Crown Victoria (Fairlane transparent top) and W = Crown Victoria (Fairlane steel top), while its own page-5 table agrees with F = Skyliner and W = Ranch Wagon (Mainline).","source":{"id":"vin-ford-tech-talk-1955-56-vin-plate","locator":"1955 typescript; p. 5 summary table"}}],"resolution":"The table follows the matrix and the newsletter\u0027s own summary table. The letter used for the 1955 steel-top Crown Victoria is unresolved and is not published."}
- {"topic":"1956 body letters F and V","claims":[{"claim":"F = Fordor Victoria, V = Tudor Victoria.","source":{"id":"vin-ford-1953-59-body-style-codes-scan","locator":"Body Style Codes matrix, 1956 column"}},{"claim":"Page-7 typescript: F = Victoria (Fairlane 2-door), V = Victoria (Fairlane 4-door).","source":{"id":"vin-ford-tech-talk-1955-56-vin-plate","locator":"p. 7 typescript"}}],"resolution":"The factory example *U6FV100501* with plate body code 64C \u0027Victoria\u2014Fairlane Tudor\u0027 supports V = Tudor; the table follows the matrix and the newsletter\u0027s p. 6 table."}
- {"topic":"1957 plant letter S","claims":[{"claim":"S = Somerville (with B = Buffalo) on the reprinted 1957 factory page.","source":{"id":"vin-ford-tech-talk-1955-56-vin-plate","locator":"p. 1, reprinted 1957 factory page, plant list"}},{"claim":"S = Pilot Plant in an undated 1957\u20131959 plant list with no B.","source":{"id":"vin-ford-dearborn-classics-1957-59-codes","locator":"Assembly plant codes 1957\u201359 page"}}],"resolution":"1957 follows the factory page (Somerville). The vendor list is used only for 1958\u20131959, where no factory list is held."}
- {"topic":"1956 312 engine letter","claims":[{"claim":"The 312 Thunderbird Special is listed as \u0027P (or S)\u0027.","source":{"id":"vin-ford-gardiner-1956-data-plate-codes","locator":"Engine codes"}},{"claim":"P only.","source":{"id":"vin-ford-tech-talk-1955-56-vin-plate","locator":"p. 6 table"}}],"resolution":"P is published; S as a 1956 engine letter is unconfirmed and not published."}