Early Ford Serial Numbers
For Cars and Trucks Manufactured for the USA Market from 1932 to 1953

 

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Model Year Make and Engine Passenger Car Model  (note a) First Serial Number
(See note B below)
1932 V8 18 18-          001  to  18-   203,126
1933 V8 40 18-   203,127 to  18-   457,477
1934 V8 40 18-   457,478 to  18-1,234,356
1935 V8 48 18-1,234,357 to  18-2,207,110
1936 Ford V8 
Linc-Zephyr V12
68 
901
18-2,207,111 to  18-3,331,856  
H-1                   to   H-15,549
1937 Ford V8 - 60hp
Ford V8 - 85hp 
Linc-Zephyr V12
74
78
HB
54-       6,602  to  54-   358,334
18-3,331,857 to  18-4,186,446 
H-15,550        to   H-45,529
1938 Ford V8 - 60hp
Ford V8 - 85hp 
Linc-Zephyr V12
82A 
81A 
86H
54-   358,335
18-4,186,447  to  18-4,661,000                    (f) 
H-45,530         to   H-64,640
1939 Ford V8 - 60hp
Ford V8 - 85hp
Mercury V8 - 90hp 
Linc-Zephyr V12
922A
91A
99A
96H
Continued  from 1938 to 54-506,500           (d)
18-4,661,001  to  18-5,210,700                    (e)
99-           001  to   99-101,700
H-64,641         to   H-85,640
1940 Ford V8 - 60hp
Ford V8 - 85hp
Mercury V8 - 90hp 
Linc-Zephyr V12
022A
01A
09A
06H
54-0,506,501  to  end                                     (g)
18-5,210,701  to 18-5,896,294
99A-101,701  to  99A-257,100
H-85,641         to   H-107,687 
1941 Ford V8 - 90hp
Ford 6 - 90hp
Mercury V8 - 95hp 
Linc-Zephyr V12
11A
1GA
19A
16H
18-5,896,295  to  18-6,769,035
1GA-000,001  to  1GA-034,800
99A-257,101   to   99A-466,700
H-107,688       to   H-129,690
1942 Ford V8 - 90hp
Ford 6 - 90hp
Mercury V8 - 100hp 
Linc-Zephyr V12
21A
2GA
29A
26H
18-6,769,036  to  18-6,925,898
1GA-034,801  to 1GA-227,523
99A-466,701  to  99A-
H-129,691      to   H-136,254
1946 Ford V8 - 100hp
Ford 6 - 90hp
Mercury V8 - 100hp 
Lincoln V12
69A
6GA
69M
66H
99A-650,280  to  99A-1,412,709
1GA-227,524 to  1GA-  326,417
99A-650,280  to  99A-1,412,709 
H-136,255      to   H-152,839                        (k)
1947 Ford V8 - 100hp
Mercury V8 - 100hp
Ford 6 - 90hp (G)
Ford 6 - 90hp (H) 
Lincoln V12
79A
79M
7GA
----
76H
799A-1,412,708  to  799A-2,071,117          (i)
799A-1,412,708  to  799A-2,071,117
71GA-   326,418  to  71GA-  414,366
77HA-        0,512  to  77HA-       9,038            (c)
7H-152,840          to  7H-174,289
1948 Ford V8 - 100hp
Ford 6 - 90hp
Mercury V8 - 100hp
Lincoln V12
89A
8GA
89M
899A-2,071,118  to  899A-2,374,315          
87HA-       0,536  to  87HA-   073,901          (i)
899A-2,005,028  to  899A-2,374,315 
8H-174,290          to   8H-
1949 Ford V8 - 100hp
Ford 6 - 95hp
Mercury V8 - 110hp
8BA
8HA
9CM
98BA-101
98HA-101
9CM  -101
1950 Ford V8 - 100hp
Ford 6 - 95hp
Mercury V8 -
0BA
0HA
0CM
B0-100,001                                                     (J)
H0-100,001
50-100,001M
1951 Ford V8 - 100hp
Ford 6 - 95hp
Mercury V8 -
1BA
1HA
1CM
B1-100,001                                                     (J)
H1-100,001
51-100,001M
1952 Ford V8 - 110hp
Ford 6 - 101hp
Mercury V8 -
B2
A2
(All)
A2-100,001                                                     (J)
B2-100,001
52-100,001M
1953 Ford V8 - 110hp
Ford 6 - 101hp
Mercury V8 -
B3
A3
(All)
A3-100,001                                                     (J)
B3-100,001
53-     5,001H

(a) The serialization applied to passenger cars, trucks, and commercial vehicles using these Ford engines. They may have different serial prefixes, but would be inclusive within the serial ranges shown. In other words, passenger car totals must be combined with truck and commercial vehicles to arrive at total usage of the engine production numbers shown. The letter in the prefix indicates the type of vehicle: A = Passenger Car, C = Commercial Vehicle (pickup truck or panel/delivery truck), and T = Truck (large trucks of 1 ton rating or bigger). The number in the prefix indicates the engine type: 18 = regular 85hp V8, 99 = 95hp V8, 54 = 60hp V8. The letter G or H in the prefix indicates the six cylinder engine. 

(b) The serial numbers were stamped on the vehicles without any commas or superfluous 0's (zeros). They have been shown here to help identify the general starting number. For instance, the first 1939 Mercury would have a "99-1" stamped as its serial number (rather than 99-001as shown above).

(c)  Ford changed production on October 3, 1947 from the G series to the new H series six cylinder engine. They started new serial numbers for the new engine.

(d) The available records do not show the beginning number for 1939 models with the 60hp V8 engine. According to the Early Ford V8 Club 1938-39 Ford reference book, Ford held up production of the 60hp engine for awhile due to overstock. They stopped building the engine at #54-468,967 on December 23, 1937 and did not resume production until April 20, 1939 with #54-476,288. "The Standard Catalog of Ford 1903-2003" gives production numbers of 38,197 coupes, 124,866 Tudors, unknown # of Fordors, and 3,277 Station Wagons with the 60hp V8 engines. No data for trucks and commercial vehicles with 60hp V8's is given, so the total number for 1939 is unknown.

(e) According to the same EFV8 Club reference book, the first model year 1939 production V8 (85hp) was #18-4,657,660 which was built Sept. 6, 1938. This conflicts with the "first" number listed above (a difference of 3,341 units).

(f)  In the 1938 model year Ford changed from the 21 stud 85hp V8 to the 24 stud engine. The change occurred with #18-4,380,120 on November 24, 1937.

(g) Per "The Standard Catalog of Ford 1903-2003" total production of 1940 passenger vehicles with the 60hp V8 is 231,425 units (including coupes, Tudors, Fordors, & station wagons). This does not include additional totals of 60hp engines used in trucks and commercial vehicles.

(h) For more complete Data Plate decoding information on 1949 thru 1953 Ford cars, refer to the decoding chart. Additional letters between the beginning two digits (letter/number) and the rest of the serial number indicate the assembly plant location. Refer to the decoding chart.

(i) Letter from the Ford Motor Company to all Ford offices (dated Nov. 4, 1947): "Engine and model numbers for 1948 (Ford) cars - the lowest number used with 1948 prefixes for six-cylinder passenger car engines is 87HA-0536. Lowest number used with 1948 prefixes for V-8 passenger car engines is 899A-1984859. Due to inventory of engines at various assembly plants, some 1947 models will have higher numbers than the above. However, the prefix changes will definitely identify the 1948 models from the 1947 models."   The serial numbering shown in the chart above reflects this numbering variance.

(j) On 1950 thru 1953 models (and beyond) any additional letters between the basic model letters and serial numbers denote the assembly plant. For Data Plate decode information, click here.

(k) Production on L-Z prior to January 10, 1946 used the 1942 engines.

Other: From 1932 through 1948 vehicles, Ford Motor Company stamped the serial number into the top of the driver's side frame rail in three locations. This same number was also stamped into the top of the transmission-to-engine housing portion of the transmission. This location was visible when the floorboard and transmission cover plate were removed (click here for a picture example). Of the frame-stamped serial numbers, only the forward-most stamping was visible when looking down into the engine compartment (located between the front crossmember and the dash (firewall). The two other frame locations are visible only when the body is removed from the frame. The serial numbers were metal stamped with numbers/letters approximately 1/4" in height.

The number (including the prefixes shown) was always preceded by (and followed by) a stamped "star" similar to an asterisk. It is believed that this was done to prevent someone from fraudulently adding a digit to the beginning or ending of a serial number in order to alter its identification. From the Ford Service Bulletins there is a bulletin dated April 15, 1938 that refers to "Engine Numbers". The subject covers the use of the correct stamps when reconditioned cylinder assemblies are stamped by dealers. The bulletin goes on to say that the dealers should use the K.R. Wilson number A404B stamp set. The 1940 K.R. Wilson tool catalog shows the A404B stamp set of 11 stamps (numbers 0 thru 9 plus the "star"). The same catalog shows a new number A404 stamp set of three (just the 6 stamp, the 9 stamp, and the I stamp). The K.R. Wilson catalog states that "The design of engine numbers has been changed to lessen the possibility of outside individuals attempting to change engine numbers. The figures I-6-9 have been changed. Dealers should immediately provide themselves with the new figures - One-Six-Nine. See Ford Service Bulletin, Subject No. 6000 (Engine) Page 22."

 

The diagram above is from the 1940 K.R. Wilson Catalog of Service Tools & Garage Equipment, and was included with the notes about the change in stamps. The primary differences were the numbers 6 and 9, and the number 1 becoming more like a capital "i" in appearance.

On 1949 cars had a metal tag riveted to the firewall on the right (passenger side) side, very close to the right hood hinge. The serial number was also stamped into the right-front frame rail, just back of the radiator support. On 1950 cars the number was stamped on the dash panel (firewall) under the hood, just below the cowl, in fairly large digits. Also, in some assembly plants, the 49 style VIN tag was also riveted in the same as the 1949 cars. In 1951 the number was stamped in a plate which was mounted on the dash panel (firewall) under the hood. For 1952 and 53 models the number was on a plate mounted on the right front door pillar post (below the upper hinge opening). The 1954 through '59 models (except '55 T-Bird) had the number on a plate on the left front door pillar post.

Resources: The information given in this chart is based on the data given in "MOTOR'S AUTO REPAIR MANUAL". Two versions were referenced: the 1935 to 48 book and the 1946 to 56 book. Also, "The 1938-39 Ford Book" published by the Early Ford V8 Club of America. Also, "The Standard Catalog of Ford 1903-2003" published by Krause Publications. Also, the reprinted "Ford V-8 Service Bulletins (1938-1940 Complete)" published by Post Motor Books. Also, the K. R. Wilson 1940 Catalog of Service Tools and Garage Equipment. We have found some conflicting information on serial numbers (surprised?) but have generally used the data from the Early Ford V8 Club Album when statistics from other sources was different. 

Caveat!  In reviewing the various source of serial number information (and we have not even researched them all) we find that there are some discrepancies. Sometimes, the Ford record keeping was not entirely correct. Some serial numbers within a sequence were simply never assigned to a vehicle. Other details that don't make sense prevent us some assuming 100% reliability in these statistics. As confirmed details become available to us, we will add reference notes or make corrections as necessary. 

 

                   

For more information on Patent Plate Decoding click on this sample plate below or click here.


For more information on Patent Plate Decoding click on this sample plate above or click here.

1939 Ford Project Page Showing VIN Locations 

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