SAAC Forum

Off Topic Area => The Lounge => Topic started by: Keith Litteken on February 03, 2018, 04:31:23 PM

Title: Date codes on sheetmetal
Post by: Keith Litteken on February 03, 2018, 04:31:23 PM
How do you decode the dates on sheet metal? In particular 1970 Mustang fastback trunk lid.
Thanks,
Keith
Title: Re: Date codes on sheetmetal
Post by: Bigfoot on February 03, 2018, 04:38:06 PM
I will give you a few 69 examples.
70 should be the same

2 21 D3
February 21, Then I think shift

3 10 D2
March 10

10 5 D1

October 5 probably of 68 for a 69 vehicle
Title: Re: Date codes on sheetmetal
Post by: Bigfoot on February 03, 2018, 04:42:48 PM
April 25th of 69 or 70 to be interpreted by build date of car.
Title: Re: Date codes on sheetmetal
Post by: J_Speegle on February 03, 2018, 05:28:18 PM
There are a couple of different patterns used in 1970 depending on that the panel is. If you provide an example or picture of what your trying to decode it might help. If the prior posts have already provided enough information - all good. ;)

The the patterns offered by Bigfoot the letter identifies the stamping plant.

Other years have different patterns as well depending on year and what body panel it is
Title: Re: Date codes on sheetmetal
Post by: Bigfoot on February 03, 2018, 06:02:57 PM
Sometimes if you look carefully and get lucky above the date codes as shown is the year stamped into the metal. The full year. At least on some 69 Fenders I've seen.
I can try to take a pic this week.
Might look like this

   1969
2 21 D3
Title: Re: Date codes on sheetmetal
Post by: Keith Litteken on February 04, 2018, 12:48:40 PM
Thanks for your help.
Keith
Title: Re: Date codes on sheetmetal
Post by: J_Speegle on February 05, 2018, 04:48:29 AM
Haven't seen 1969 or 1970 in the top line above the date code but another series of numbers a 1 followed by a space then a three digit number like shown in the three examples below. In these examples its 1  936    and 1  956 I believe 

Each from a different assembly plant from 1970 Mustangs

(http://www.concoursmustang.com/forum/gallery/9/6-050218044614.jpeg)


Not all 70 front fenders were stamped with the two line pattern.


I would not expect to see the two line pattern on a 70 Mustang trunk lid like the examples above. At least some (body type possible difference) used a different two line pattern but it did still include one line for the date code

Hope this helps
Title: Re: Date codes on sheetmetal
Post by: Bigfoot on February 05, 2018, 08:38:18 AM
That's very cool Jeff.
Let me go check my stamping. Maybe it was just a coincidence that the one I saw corresponded to the year or at least appeared to.
Title: Re: Date codes on sheetmetal
Post by: Bigfoot on February 05, 2018, 11:55:46 AM
Factory fender

(http://www.saacforum.com/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=462.0;attach=1671;image)
Title: Re: Date codes on sheetmetal
Post by: J_Speegle on February 05, 2018, 03:24:26 PM
Quote from: Bigfoot on February 05, 2018, 11:55:46 AM
Factory fender

Thanks.  So if we follow the pattern the 1969 is not likely the year but another code for something during the periods when they used the two line on the fenders
Title: Re: Date codes on sheetmetal
Post by: Bigfoot on February 05, 2018, 04:33:14 PM
You know a lot more about this kind of data than me.
Seems like a hell of a coincidence tho.