'56 Data Plate decoded.........

[Ford Freak]

Hey Guys! Could someone please decode this '56 Sunliner plate?
VIN: M6GC107840 Body:76B Color: KV Trim:1K Production:157
Thanks in advance! - F F

[dmsfrr]

See if you can open this pdf file / link... a couple pages are fairly light due to the way it was originally copied (way before it ended up at this '55 Ford website) but it should have the info you need.

http://1955-ford.com/img-55-ford-dat...te-decoder.pdf)

[Ford Freak]

Well, according to that link, K= Fiesta Red , and V = Berkshire Green. Red & green tutone?
Na...only for Christmass! lol Doesn't make sense. As far as trim, I can't find anything.
I checked the data plate again, and it is exactly like I reported in Post #1 above.

[KULTULZ]

Originally Posted by Ford Freak

VIN: M6GC107840

M - ENGINE - 292CI
6 - YEAR - 1956
G - ASSY PLANT - MEMPHIS
C - BODY STYLE CODE - CONV
107840 - CONSECUTIVE UNIT NO. CODE

76B - F/L CONV COUPE

Body:76B Color:KV Trim:1K Production:157

The EXT CLR and INT TRIM CODES are not jiving. Can you re-check or post a photo? What color is the car now?

The PRODUCTION CODE was entered by each ASSY PLANT and varies in meaning.

[Ford Freak]

Yes, I know they are not jiving. I have checked it 3 times.
Right now the car is Colonial White (upper body) & light/medium blue on the lower body.
Looks like it may be Diamond Blue? The car is for sale @ Bills and Son Auto and Truck Sales. The car is in there inventory, and one of the pics shows the data plate. -F F

[dmsfrr]

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)

Originally Posted by KULTULZ

... Can you re-check or post a photo? ...

Here's a link to their ad for the car...
https://www.billsandson.com/details/...rlane/86982775

And photo of the Data Plate, a link and below...
https://cdn05.carsforsale.com/358b3e...onvertable.jpg

The lack of spacing of the characters on the second line of the plate could be confusing.

76B = Sunliner.
Exterior Color, K = Fiesta Red
Trim code, V = Red & White vinyl
1K = the scheduled build date, 1st day of October
157 = the production code.

Fyi, the two rivets holding the plate on are generic pop-rivets, not original.
If you're going to look at the car or are seriously considering purchasing it, double check that the serial number on the data plate exactly matches the serial number stamped into the right front top of the frame.
.

[Ford Freak]

dmsfrr - yes, it was the spacing that through me off, & could not make heads or tails of!
What got me digging into this was that: (A) I also noticed the attachment rivits.
(B): Obviousally the interior was not original, so I could not help wondering if the exterior colors had been changed. Thanks! - F F

[Lamar Wadsworth]

G indicates Chicago plant, not Memphis. My '55 was built at Memphis, and M is the code for Memphis plant.

[KULTULZ]

Originally Posted by Lamar Wadsworth

G indicates Chicago plant, not Memphis. My '55 was built at Memphis, and M is the code for Memphis plant.

That's my mistake ...

[KULTULZ]

Well, if the plate actually belongs to the car, the EXT COLOR (K) was FIESTA RED and INT TRIM (V) was RED & WHITE VINYL. Those are seat covers but if that was a color change, somebody had to do some serious work.

That and the rivets give me pause. The actual correct rivets are available. Clear title or salvage?

EDIT -

The ad says 312 while the VIN says 292.

[Ford Freak]

Originally Posted by KULTULZ

Well, if the plate actually belongs to the car, the EXT COLOR (K) was FIESTA RED and INT TRIM (V) was RED & WHITE VINYL. Those are seat covers but if that was a color change, somebody had to do some serious work.

That and the rivets give me pause. The actual correct rivets are available. Clear title or salvage?

EDIT -

The ad says 312 while the VIN says 292.

I beleive it is a clear title.

[KULTULZ]

This is an excerpt from the 1955-56 PATENT PLATE TECH SHEET given above -

I wonder ... ... what is meant as a RH side member?

[KULTULZ]

You guys have to check out this page -

http://1956-ford.com/1956-ford-car-data-plate.html

Go to his HOME PAGE also.

Also read this ...

https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/showt...68#post2160868

[dmsfrr]

Originally Posted by KULTULZ

... I wonder ... ... what is meant as a RH side member?

Somewhere on the right front frame rail between the firewall & front bumper.

This is the location on '55/'57 T-Birds, below the heater fan. Usually covered with paint and ???
There is another location, maybe two, stamped into the frame before the body is put on.
.

[chain drive]

it is on the top of the right frame just back from where the bumper bracket bolts on there is a star before the numbers some of the factorys put them on top of the frame that hold the rear shocks on also on the rear frame of the car body off then you can see them the numbers will match the data plate i have also seen them ground off smooth so the frame does not match the title

[KULTULZ]

... i have also seen them ground off smooth so the frame does not match the title

That sounds about right ...

I guess a side member is another descriptive name for a frame rail ...

[Daves55Sedan]

The data plate numbers on the frame are not visible unless you remove the passenger side bumper bracket to view the one on the frame side rail, and for the one on top of the front passenger side frame rail, you need to pull back the rubber weatherstrip (if possible). That weatherstrip is stapled to the bottom of the front fender inner apron. Be careful not to break the rubber strip off in case it might be brittle by now. Probably easier to remove front bumper brackets on passenger side.

[JDXDeere]

Another good vin decoder site...
http://vinmagic.com/1953-1959-ford-vin-decoder/