build date
Thread Starter
Advanced
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 89
Likes: 1
From: channahon il
build date
Was looking at the trim plate on the 66 i recently bought. The build date on the plate reads F22, which in the book I have is a Jan. 22, 1966 date. The body # is A-1857 which is an AO Smith body. The problem is the owner protection plan book I got with the car has a Jan. 13 1966 delivery date stamped into it. It was car #10126. The dates dont jive. Any explanations?
Advanced
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 93
Likes: 0
From: Williamsburg Va
Re: build date (oneputt)
That is strange. By the serial number, your car should have been completed January 4, 1966. The A.O. Smith body build date codes were assigned their numbers on the body assembly line at the A.O. Smith plant. They were then transported by rail to St. Louis, which took 8 to 12 days, then stored for use for days or weeks.
Trim tags were often changed, replaced with restoration tags, stolen, or switched, for various reasons. One example is that someone wanted a different color car than original and had the trim tag altered to fit the new color or options. If this is important to you, I would recommend that you get a qualified NCRS judge who is expert at examining trim tags for authenticity. I did this when I had some question about the trim tag on my 63 SWC - it turned out to be a restoration tag, although the serial number plate is original.
If you have a car being judged in NCRS and it scores a Top Flight, but the trim tag is not authentic, then the car is automatically Second Flighted, is my understanding.
By the way, only a small minority of A.O. Smith trim tags had dashes in the number. That is a very interesting detail. Perhaps there is some other explanation. Some of the NCRS judges have special tools that help determine the authenticity of the trim tags. Good luck.
Trim tags were often changed, replaced with restoration tags, stolen, or switched, for various reasons. One example is that someone wanted a different color car than original and had the trim tag altered to fit the new color or options. If this is important to you, I would recommend that you get a qualified NCRS judge who is expert at examining trim tags for authenticity. I did this when I had some question about the trim tag on my 63 SWC - it turned out to be a restoration tag, although the serial number plate is original.
If you have a car being judged in NCRS and it scores a Top Flight, but the trim tag is not authentic, then the car is automatically Second Flighted, is my understanding.
By the way, only a small minority of A.O. Smith trim tags had dashes in the number. That is a very interesting detail. Perhaps there is some other explanation. Some of the NCRS judges have special tools that help determine the authenticity of the trim tags. Good luck.
Thread Starter
Advanced
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 89
Likes: 1
From: channahon il
Re: build date (oneputt)
I rechecked the trim plate today in the daylight with a magnifying glass and saw the the F was actually an E. Gettin old, eyes are goin bad. Also there is no - between the E and the 1857. That was just the way I typed it. Thanks.
Advanced
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 93
Likes: 0
From: Williamsburg Va
Re: build date (oneputt)
Good news! All the numbers work - congratulations! Hey, I know about the eyes. I just turned double nickels, and am getting those 25 cent cups of coffee at Burger King! :lol:
