Topic: Date of manufacture of old Ford


Parkopup1218    -- 03-25-2019 @ 3:59 PM
  Hello
I have a 1942 Ford Business Coupe. The vin on the frame looks like a 1941 (using Van Pelt) chart. The title shows 1942. I have several old registrations from previous owners in different states reflecting 1942. The engine and trans (still v8 flatly) were replaced so can't reference the trans bell housing. I do believe it is a 1942. Here is my question: could this have been started to build in 41' and finished late 41' or very early 42' pre war stoppage? Thanks all!


woodiewagon46    -- 03-25-2019 @ 4:31 PM
  Take a look at the "Bugs" on your glass and see what the date codes are. A "DA"next to the Ford script is 1941, if it's a "DB"its 1942. The letter to the left is the month starting with "A" for January, "B" February etc.


trjford8    -- 03-25-2019 @ 4:56 PM
  If you have not purchased the V-8 Club's 41-48 Ford book you should have it if you have a 42 Ford. You will learn a lot about your car. On page 1-18 of the book you will find that the 41 and 42 cars had serial numbers that started with the number 18-*******. This was a sequential production number, so your number could very well be a chassis that was assembled in late '41 with the new '42 body. By the time your car was purchased it was probably 1942, so your car was designated as a '42 model by the DMV in the town in which it was sold. Also check the dates on your glass if you still have the original glass. You may actually find some of the glass dated in late '41 as the '42 would have used the same glass patterns as the '41. Also if you are not an Early Ford V-8 Club member I would urge you to join. The V-8 Times magazine is worth the price of admission. You can join on the front page of this site and also purchase the 41-48 Ford book. Hope my answer helps you.


Parkopup1218    -- 03-25-2019 @ 5:06 PM
  Thanks for the prompt reply. I am going to join the club!


42wagon    -- 03-26-2019 @ 3:19 AM
  I am probably stating the obvious but the question has to be asked. Do you have a 41 or 42 grille and front fenders? Not so obvious but the front axles and springs are wider on a 42 than on a 41. Without seeing a picture of the car it is my belief that you probably have a 41 car that was not sold until 42 so your DMV titled it as a 42 without regard to the Ford frame number.


trjford8    -- 03-26-2019 @ 8:20 AM
  42 wagon, you do bring up another possibility. In rereading the original post I should have been more attentive to the following statement "I do believe it is a 1942". That comment almost sounds like the owner may have a little doubt.


woodiewagon46    -- 03-26-2019 @ 9:46 AM
  What might also help you in your quest, is an article written by Fred Killian, V-8 Club Advisor for 1941/1942 Fords. The article gives the many differences between the '41 and the '42, it's in the 2017, July/August issue of the V-8 Times. I also believe your car is a '42.


3w2    -- 03-26-2019 @ 1:46 PM
  Some of the comments above suggest that model years and calendar years are one in the same. It is highly likely that there is no single instance of that happening in the entire history of Ford Motor Company.


wmsteed    -- 03-30-2019 @ 9:45 AM
  A simple indication as to what year the car is, is to look at the brake backing plates. If there are large adjusting nuts on the lower portion of the backing plate it is a '41.. What appears to be rivets in the lower portion of the plate indicates it is '42.
Historically speaking, Ford introduced new models in September.
Generally vehicles were registered by the year model the manufacture stated on the title, however, some states registered vehicles by the year sold.
The production of vehicles was stopped by the government in January of '42 due to WWll
I have a '36 coupe that the SN identifies as being a late September car, the glass code runs from 5/36 to 8/36 for the rear window.
Bill
36 5 win delx cpe

This message was edited by wmsteed on 3-30-19 @ 9:58 AM


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