I have a 1914 Ford touring which appears to have a largely original body, but a later starter engine. On the lip under the front seat there is a number stamped into the wood. The numbers are about 1/2 inch high and again seem original.
The numbers are "F 8 14 148XXX".
I am guessing that the F is Ford
The 8 is August
The 14 is 1914
148XXX is a serial number.
Does anyone know anything different or where I might find more details about these numbers?
The "F" might mean Fisher not Ford. Beyond that, cant help.
Tony,
The "F" does mean Fisher and NOT for Ford. Ford was NOT supplying / producing its own open car bodies in 1914.
And yes, the body would have been produced in Aug 1914 and normally installed that month if it was built early in Aug or possibly the next month if built late in Aug. And in some cases if shipped to a branch assembly plant the body could have been assembled to a car even later. But in general they were trying to move the part out.
There are a few odd cases where a body apparently was six months or so old when finally matched to a chassis. But usually they are within a few months of the date on the body.
Respectfully submitted,
Hap l9l5 cut off
Tony,
Your question has been answered but there is another place that would tend to confirm the build date of the car. The engine may have been bad and the old transmission might have been good. If it was good and was used, the transmission stub shaft is dated on those earlier cars. It should be about a week or so ahead of the assembly of the engine. You have to have the transmission off to see the date. It is stamped by similar tools as the engine numbers.
Ken in Texas
Thanks to the thread I searched back thru 2012 and 2013 for similar topics and found that members were collecting numbers and other details. I even found the tag in the May 1971 Vintage Ford.
My body number is 145 793
The letter F is 3/4 inches high
The numbers are 1/2 inch high
I did check the floor boards and found no markings, however the foot area is plywood so it most probably has been replaced at some time. The two risers are solid wood and look original, but no markings...