Help with a Y block car Vin number...


http://209.208.111.198/Topic19325.aspx 		Print Topic | Close Window

By Daniel Jessup - 17 Years Ago
Ok, I am about to unload on a 55 Ford Sunliner and here is the Vin...

U5RG134309

76B  DX  AYO5D5

What does all this mean? I take it that the U is for a Y block, but how can I tell whether or not it had a teapot?

Dan

By Ted - 17 Years Ago

U – 272 2BC  (2 barrel carb),  M would have been 272 182HP with four barrel carb

5 - 1955

R – San Jose, CA

G – tudor, fordor, Mainline, Customline  - typo?  C – Convertible, Sunliner

134309 – 34,309th in the production

 

76B – Fairlane Sunliner convertible

DX – D is Waterfall Blue but the X isn’t listed in my manual.

AY – Medium Blue and Light Blue Vinyl trim (interior)

05D5 – April 5 production, 5th car produced.

 

I believe the G is a typo.  Should be a C.  The second color for the two tone paint is not listed in my particular catalogue.  The San Jose plant is noted for quite a few deviations from normal so the X doesn’t surprise me.  Maybe someone else has the color code for X?
By Daniel Jessup - 17 Years Ago
Ted - wow!w00t

How did you come up with all that info so quick?

I ended up buying the car from a fella down in Mobile AL. Going to pick it up next week. Got the car for a song, though it is not complete. My dad wants to buy my 55 --- so I need another car! I let him drive it the other day when he came up from NC. His first was a 56 hardtop customline that had a 312 (highly modified with a HOT cam and 2 four barrel carb setup, etc, etc) Seems it was a moonshine car. The torque of my 292 reminds him of his younger days....soooooooooooooo.....

The convertible is a project. Wasn't too concerned about the color. I did know that U represented a Y block, but did not know that M meant a 4 barrel. This will be a modified car anyway. I want to put a turned down main 312 crank (if you remember my original plan from a year ago) in a 292 with a little more stroke...we'll see what I can dig up.

Dan

By Hoosier Hurricane - 17 Years Ago
Ted, Dan:

The "X" color is not included in my info either, but maybe it is a code for the color of the convertible top.  Just a guess.

John

By Cactus - 17 Years Ago
Dan, you will really like your plan to build a 292/312, but you cannot have my crank back, as it is now resting comfortably in my car.  Truck rods, Mummert internals make a great street motor.  It also helps to have a great machinist to put everything together and I was lucky enough to find one with the help of another member on this site.  Good luck on your project, and I hope to get up your way to see you one of these days.  Jan
By Daniel Jessup - 17 Years Ago
Hey fellas, I got this reply from lovefords.org

"Hello Dan

Congratulations on your new Sunliner!   X is the color code for 1955's Regatta Blue which is Ditzler Mix Code 11383.  Waterfall Blue is mix code 11250. I believe that Regatta Blue was a spring color and may not appear in all lists or paint chip representations.

I guess there is no better car name than Sunliner.

Best Regards,

John Rotella – Director of LOVEfords

www.lovefords.org

Cactus - the machinist that turned that crank for me was a good one. Evidently this is the same guy that does cranks for White Post restorations - precision work. Not to worry. I can find another 312 crank - its a needle in a haystack, but they are out there. Good to hear from you.
By timmy4 - 17 Years Ago
On my vin number I have u5sg142490  so the u means y block and the 5 is the year but what does the s mean and the numbers after that. The g would be a 2 or 4 dor like you said thanks
By Hoosier Hurricane - 17 Years Ago
Tim:

S is listed as "Pilot plant", whatever that means.  Ford started each year with the first car being S/N 100001.  Therefore yours was the 42,490th car built for '55.

John

By Ted - 17 Years Ago
Hoosier Hurricane (12/13/2008)
S is listed as "Pilot plant", whatever that means.  Ford started each year with the first car being S/N 100001.  Therefore yours was the 42,490th car built for '55.

John.  My book lists the S being Somerville, MA as the assembly plant.  Maybe you’ve got an earlier book than mine?