1940 Ford convertible body tags
 

I'd like to hear from guys with '40 Ford convertibles...
Is there or, to your knowledge, was there, a body tag on your vehicle? Or, are there numbers stamped in to the firewall?
I have posted two photos below that allow a glimpse of where a tag should have been and a glimpse as to where numbers may have been stamped.
Please, if you are able to respond, allow as much as you know in regard to your vehicles 'pedigree".

The tag was "nailed" to the upper- left corner of the firewall. Stamping was below the voltage regulator.

thanks!!!

Re: 1940 Ford convertible body tags
 

Mine had a tag. I didn't reinstall it because at the time when I built that car I wasn't very concerned with being too correct. I still have it somewhere.

Re: 1940 Ford convertible body tags
 

Thanks Ken. That's one response. C'mon guys... please....

Re: 1940 Ford convertible body tags
 

Is it possible that those convs with the tag would also have the stamped # under the voltage regulator? Just asking. Bill

Re: 1940 Ford convertible body tags
 

Not sure Bill. I have only heard "hearsay" about the cowls being stamped. Documents indicate a body tag was to be attached. I am attempting to find out what in reality happened back then.

Re: 1940 Ford convertible body tags
 

No tag, no stamped number. VIN * 18-5712258 *
I am the first owner of this car outside of the family that bought it new.

Anybody else?

Re: 1940 Ford convertible body tags
 

Mine has a body tag on it, the car was partially restored when I bought it out of Minnesota in 2006.

Re: 1940 Ford convertible body tags
 

I checked the convertible project which has the original paint on the firewall no tag never had one and no stamping underneath the voltage regulator.They all have the holes for the tag but no tags.The other 40 convertible I'm building which was a pretty original complete car had no tag and the firewall wasn't stamped.

Re: 1940 Ford convertible body tags
 

I know this is old, but for what it's worth I just saw the thread and checked my car. There is no tag and no signs of there being a tag. My car has the original paint on the firewall.

Re: 1940 Ford convertible body tags
 

I recently acquired a 40 Convertible and I saw this post. I am new to the group but I will try to attach a picture of my engine that has a body tag mounted with four nails. The tag has been painted over and I didn’t try to remove any of the paint. I can get more pictures if needed next week.

Re: 1940 Ford convertible body tags
 

One of my 39 deluxe convertibles ( ex USA ) had a body tag up in the LH corner.
From memory it ended with 074 indicating the first week of production.

Re: 1940 Ford convertible body tags
 

Like woodiedude in #10 above here is another early firewall you can see the four holes for mounting the patent data plate over the hand throttle bump out, on the vertical surface. Ill ask the mechanic if there are numbers or a body tag.
The mechanic says there are no numbers on the firewall. The old paint was stripped for repaint so any numbers would have been seen.

Re: 1940 Ford convertible body tags
 

That's the patent tag.
I've attached a photo of a body tag - this one on the last '40 convertible I'd restored.

Re: 1940 Ford convertible body tags
 

The tag riveted to upper edge of firewall in second photo doesn't look like a body number tag and body number. I have no such tag or any body tag on my 40 conv. For what it is worth my 40 wagon firewall has the body number stamped into firewall under lower edge of voltage regulator.
40larry

Re: 1940 Ford convertible body tags
 

Larry, Which post are you referring to ("second photo")?

Re: 1940 Ford convertible body tags
 

Sorry. I should have said left side photo with tag on upper right of firewall.

Re: 1940 Ford convertible body tags
 

Which post number?

Re: 1940 Ford convertible body tags
 

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?

Re: 1940 Ford convertible body tags
 

Kube....In ref to Larry's question, I'm assuming this is your blue coupe in your avatar. Didn't you once note that this number was the SERIAL for this "special-order", lawman's coupe? I believe it started with a "P". Or am I full of it once again? DD


https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/attac...0&d=1457287261

Re: 1940 Ford convertible body tags
 

My 40 convert purchased well used in 1955 with pull out ashtrays has three small holes but no tag.one hole would have hidden under the tag.

Re: 1940 Ford convertible body tags
 

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.

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

Re: 1940 Ford convertible body tags
 

Mike;

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



1AR24CH

Gene Tulsa

Re: 1940 Ford convertible body tags
 

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

Re: 1940 Ford convertible body tags
 

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.

Re: 1940 Ford convertible body tags
 

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?

Re: 1940 Ford convertible body tags
 

pc 2628270

Re: 1940 Ford convertible body tags
 

Those numbers are not in the sequence of VIN numbers used in 1940 for either engine choice and they are on your frame?

Re: 1940 Ford convertible body tags
 

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.

Re: 1940 Ford convertible body tags
 

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

Re: 1940 Ford convertible body tags
 

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).

Re: 1940 Ford convertible body tags
 

And, the fact that it is an "oddball", would probably push the "intrigue" even higher.

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.

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.

Mark
Attachment 462855


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Re: 1940 Ford convertible body tags
 

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??

Re: 1940 Ford convertible body tags
 

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

Re: 1940 Ford convertible body tags
 

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.

Re: 1940 Ford convertible body tags
 

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..

Re: 1940 Ford convertible body tags
 

Finally found the body tag that came with my 40 Convertible.

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???