Serial Number Question

[big m]

I still have the frame from the convertible I am rebuilding, but it is so heavily rust pitted that there is no hope of finding any numbers there. The hardtop frame that I will be using is already painted, but I'll have a look see to determine if the #s are visible. I have a title for the car the frame came from.

---John

[Fins59]

Rogers' been watching too much CSI Just kidding Roger. That thought had crossed my mind. Will check it out.

[Fins59]

Went out and checked on my Fury frame. Found some numbers. Used some naval jelly and steel wood and was able to read "625" which was in the middle of some numbers I couldn't read. Vin # on that car is 266 115300. There is no 625 in that VIN so apparently that # on frame is something else.

[rogerh]

While I appreciate all teh efforts going on here, I think this is a wild goose chase...the frame number has no significance, IMHO.
Tom Fox has no input on the matter. The last officail report might come from Robert HInds, but I do not know how to contact him.
(And I like CSI...al those quirky characters remind me of this List!)

[Denver 59 Fin Convert]

Ok, I finally went out this evening and looked and found the stamped numbers in my rear Convertible frame rail. here is a slighly blurry picture of it. I only have slight surface rust patina so it just took a few swipes with a Scotch bright fine grit to reveal the numbers.
Mine says just the same as Fins 59 says, But more complete my numbers are "4625A" my Belvedere Convertible VIN is "M253 114148" So there is no relationship between the VIN and this number that I can see.
I wish I had a copy of the IBM card (have not ordered it yet) to see if there can be any connection to the Order number or Body Number on the card.
Now when I worked for Chrysler in the 70' and 80's we were doing car Uni-body construction. But I did spend one summer at Warren Truck assembly during my summer college years where we did have and used Truck frames. These frames were stacked in large open forklift crates and each wheelbase frame had an ID tag affixed to it to identify what Wheel base they where for. The hi-Lo forlift guy would go out in the yard and grab some crates of the frames he wanted and he would have to verify they were the ones he needed and looked at the tag.
Could this be the same way back in the late 50's on how they would ID the correct frame? There would be 5 frame types, 2 door HT, 4 door HT/Sedan, Convert, 2 door station wagon and finally 4 door station wagon. Not all plants built all body styles, so no one plant probably had all 6 frames in there staging area for the body drop to frame. Convertible frames such as mine is a no-brainer since it is of "X" construction and visually unique.Buyt the rear frame rails would be the same for a HT or convert.When they build the frames in the Jigs they grab all the individual pieces to form up each frame.
If others will check their stamped numbers, maybe we can get a consensus about this number.

John Q.

[Denver 59 Fin Convert]

I will take a clearer picture of the number on the frame on Sunday, In better lighting conditions.

John Q.

[rogerh]

Has anyone seen that movie showing the assembly line at (I think) Jefferson Ave?
where they drive out with a big forklift and pick up a bunch of frames and bring them into the plant to begin building '59 Plymouths? It is a silent movie...I think I still have it around here somewhere.

[Faulkner]

It's the Maywood Plant, Roger -- you'll find it here (although I've added 50's music to it):

https://59plymouth.net/ephemera/video/Co ... ywood.html

Dan

[finsforever]

Thank you all for your help with this. I guess my next step is to contact the local DMV. If all else fails, they can issue me a custom VIN. Thanks again!

[rogerh]

According to the 1959 Mopar Parts Book, there were five Plymouth frame types:
1) MP1
2) MP1 Suburbans
3) MP2 (but not Suburbans or cvts)
4) MP2 cvts
5) MP2 Suburbans

MP1= Six cylinder cars, MP2= Eight cylinder cars
The Book gives Mopar Part numbers for each type of frame, but the numbers do not correspond to the frame numbers you have been reporting.
The rainy cold season has returned to our PNW. But what a great summer we had!

[Denver 59 Fin Convert]

Dan, thanks for the link to the Maywood assembly video. Maybe we can have you do a "voice over" besides the great 50's music.

Classic footage! I need to explore a bit more on all the neat stuff tucked away on the Forum that I did not know existed. Did the video come from Chrysler Historical?



John Q.

[Fins59]

Went out and checked frame # again. I did get it clear enough now to read 4625A - same as Denver's Belvy convert, but this frame # is on my 4dr (not hardtop but post) Fury. And it looks like Denver's convert came from Evansville and my Fury was built in Detroit so apparently they're not numbered by plant.
I do have data (IBM card, etc.) from Chrysler Historical for my Sport Fury and was going to check that for any #'s but misplaced the envelope. When I find it I'll check.

[rogerh]

Your efforts are truly appreciated!

[Faulkner]

Did the video come from Chrysler Historical?

I'm not sure where the original footage came from, John. I bought the videotape off eBay (from who, I forget now) and digitized it -- violating copyrights, no doubt. So, sue me! Many of the other vids from that same section in "Ephemera" are from the same tape.

Dan

[rogerh]

We all know about Roger's memory...sometimes it's "in", sometimes it's "out".
I have a VCR tape here, produced by Ocean Video Movies, BOx 321
Ocean Gate, NJ 08740
I think I sent this VCR tape and a bunch of still pictures and such to our Dan Morton for his enjoyment, and possible posting on Ephemera. I am thinking he dubbed this tape onto the site. Copyrights...I dunno...is it possible that Ocean Video got permission from Chrysler to sell this tape?
More likely, after ~50 years, it is in the public domain, or so obscure as to not draw Chrysler's attention.