Topic: Date stamping question

[FordDude]

Short background on my Dad's convertible. He bought it in 1978 while I was serving in the USAF, so I was not there for the purchase or to meet the PO. Dad has always been a frugal man, and he did not want to pay too much for a car and that is way he bought this one. It is very basic, and only has a few options. Power top (never has worked), console, 289 4v, automatic. Dad added a rally-pac and back-up lights (lights only, not connected), a newer speedometer so the mileage is not correct and a paint job. Over the last 33 years it has only been driven to parades and car shows for the most part. Always garage kept. Dad's health is not the best, he has Parkinson's disease and his memory is going fast. Mom and Dad have been married over 54 years and sometimes he does not know who my mom is. They are at there summer home in Pennsylvania right now and will return to SoCal in the fall. My 07 Mustang is in there garage and I brought Dad's vert to my home about a month ago. My goal is to fix some things and learn more about the car.

So now on to the question. What is this date stamp across the second fender vin stamping.



Date stamp on the trunk (area where the trunk lid seal fits)



Trunk lid stamp.


Fender stamp.


Any more areas that need to be seen or pics taken of?

fd

[CharlesTurner]

Those are all sheet metal date stamps.  The format is Month Day Shift/Plant, the year is not indicated.  On some pieces, the shift or plant (usually at least one of them) might not be there or a faint stamping.

[FordDude]

The format is Month Day Shift/Plant, the year is not indicated.

Yes I understand how the date stamping works. But let me expand my question a little more. The date stamp on the fender apron (I am assuming that is what it is called ) reads 3 3 D So does mean it was produced March 3rd? And I thought the shift was a 1 2 or a 3 so the "D" Dearborn??? The fender stamp is 5 27 3C and that would be May 27 3rd shift, but the "C"?

fd

[Twilight65]

I believe the "C" would be the plant where the sheet metal was stamped.

Dave

A = Chicago, IL
B = Buffalo, NY
C = Cleveland (Walton Hills), OH
D = Dearborn, MI
M = Monroe, MI
W = Woodhaven, MI

[CharlesTurner]

I believe the "C" would be the plant where the sheet metal was stamped.

+1!