Topic: Front Frame Rail Fender ID Markings - 4/66 Approx Build

[Johnnydarkgt350]

Jeff I just found 4043  in yellow on my front frame Just behind where the bumper bracket bolts in and also looking up in the apron area another 4343 in yellow; My question is on the left front frame rail it looks like similar numbers but I can’t quite make them out exactly but I do see a 43 leading into the bracket by where the fuel line Bolts in ; Could it also be 4043??

Thanks again SFM6S 1680

Jim

[J_Speegle]

Jeff I just found 4043  in yellow on my front frame Just behind where the bumper bracket bolts in and also looking up in the apron area another 4343 in yellow;

Not sure where your describing. Is the "apron area" the inner fender panel above the frame rail and in front of the shock tower support?

My question is on the left front frame rail it looks like similar numbers but I can’t quite make them out exactly but I do see a 43 leading into the bracket by where the fuel line Bolts in ; Could it also be 4043?? Thanks again SFM6S 1680 Jim

For that year and plant the frame numbers would be two different numbers normally five digits long (lots of time one or more are not longer there) often with a dash between two groups. These identified the hook the fender that would be attached to the car was hung from and painted with the same paint as the body.   There was one fill in worker that would sometimes apply the number on one side (depended on the side he was assigned to that shift) is a different location but that was not a normal locations.

There are a couple of threads related to the subject some  with pictures and examples of basically the same information


http://www.concoursmustang.com/forum/index.php?topic=9105.msg53372#msg53372

http://www.concoursmustang.com/forum/index.php?topic=2257.msg11576#msg11576

Guessing from what you have left on your car one might look something like the one below from a somewhat early 65 San Jose built coupe

[Johnnydarkgt350]

Thanks again Jeff; yes you’re right as the 4043 is written in yellow in the top inside of the RF fender in front of the shock tower; it appears again on the left front frame rail ! Darn I haven’t found extra numbers w a dash ; but these four stand out well still ! There’s a light spraying of factory undercoating this area as well By the way as a Journeyman watchmaker I’m enjoying the fine details as I put this non-rusted non-collision original Shelby back together correctly ! Your help is truly appreciated Jeff

[Johnnydarkgt350]

The hand written 4043” in upper inner fender apron was found there

[J_Speegle]

The hand written 4043” in upper inner fender apron was found there

Interesting. Got to ask - Did you do the restoration or was the number originally found in both locations? 

[Johnnydarkgt350]

The upper left was originally there as found; the frame rails also had those last three numbers still visible and I had to carefully remove some over spray to try to see the four

[Johnnydarkgt350]

Jeff my build date is 4 18 66 ; what do these numbers indicate? ?? April (4) 04? ? 3rd shift??

[J_Speegle]

Jeff my build date is 4 18 66 ; what do these numbers indicate? ?? April (4) 04? ? 3rd shift??

So it looks like you have the same 4043 on the drivers side twice.

Considering that location is not a typical location for any writing of this kind and that it matches the fender number I think it would be a wild coincidence 


Not sure why he applied the number above then below as he didn't didn't do the same thing on other cars. Maybe he just saved some effort and wrote it once from then on when no one corrected him

Here is another example of "Fill-in Fred" or at least the fender number being applied in the same non-typical location on a later 66 San Jose car than yours



Been studying marks and such since the 80's and have over 8,000 examples currently and adding all the time so do have others


BTW where did you get the April 14th date from as a build date? 

[Johnnydarkgt350]

Jeff I see its getting it’s radio installed on 05-08-1966 and invoiced April 18-66

[Johnnydarkgt350]

And R Carlson “P.D.I. For Hertz at Hi- Performance Motors 4/21/66

[Johnnydarkgt350]

Running today after two and a half years finalizing its restoration

[J_Speegle]

Thanks for sharing.