de-coding ID tags

[rogerh]

Hi Guys,
I can read the 1959 Mopar Parts Book, and relay its inforation to you all, but sometimes I don't understand it.
Bernie Broulliet got me thinking about ID numbers.
ALthough I cannot find my Belvedere convertible's ID tag, I do have the 1994 Bill of sale with ID #. IT is as follows:
M253113862
The Book says M253 translates as follows:
M=1959
2=Plymouth 8 cyl.
5=Belvedere
3=Evansville Assembly Plant
The last 6 digits are the actual production #.
Ignoring the first of those digits (they all start with the number 1), I am left with 13862.
Since there were only 5,063 Belv cvts made, I am befuddled.
(There were 169,913 Belvedere/Custom Suburbans manufactured.)

[rogerh]

Bernie helped me see the obvious...there were no breakouts for convertibles on the ID tags.
My Belv was the 13,862nd Belvedere manufactured. With 170K manufactured, it was an early product.

[moparwagon]

I just read today that in 1959 the sequential production number for Plymouths through 1959 were NOT model specific. So, if that's right, then your Belvedere is the 13,862nd Plymouth of any model that was produced in 1959. All Plymouth sequential production numbers started with "1" except for the Valiant & Dart (I think) started with "5" when they started producing those models. That would explain why your Belvedere Cvt VIN tells you it's #13,862nd made when the production number is actually much smaller. Problem is that I don't know how to find out what the production numbers for EACH model was......must be some records from the manufacturing plants though.

I've been trying to figure out how many 59 Suburban 2 Doors were produced when I ran across this sequential production number dilemma. Somewhere, some time ago, I found a site that stated there were 6,741 (+-) Suburbans produced in 1959.......I think that included 4 Dr Suburbans.

If anyone knows how many 2 Door 59 Suburbans were made, please let me know.....or where to find out.

Ron

[moparwagon]

Hey Roger, I found the site about production numbers........http://www.turbinecar.com/misc/59-65VIN.pdf

I mistated a bit......the sequential production numbers were PLANT specific. So I guess that would mean your Belvedere Cvt was the 13,862nd Plymouth produced at the Evansville Assembly Plant. That make sense?

[rogerh]

According to the Standard Catalog of Chrysler (Krause Publications):
2 dr Deluxe Suburbans (same trimline as Savoy)= 15,074
2 dr Custom Suburbans (same as Belvedere) = 1,852

[moparwagon]

Geeez Roger, you're the best. Thanks for the numbers! Ron

[rogerh]

my pleasure, Ron.
So, in trying to understand your tips on ID #s, my car could have the same production number as some other 59 Plymouth made in a different factory?

[moparwagon]

More than likely, yes......especially the lower numbers. That's the way I read the link I posted. Ron