Larry & Lynn Slevin
1957 Fairlane 500 Sunliner
VIN C7FC376266, BODY 76B, COLOR F, TRIM AB, DATE 10W, TRANS 3, AXLE 2
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Let's see what the VIN and production data tell us...
The VIN of C7FC376266 decodes as follows:
C = engine: 292 Thunderbird V-8, 292-2V, 206 hp @ 4500 rpm, 297 lb-ft @ 2700 rpm, 9.1:1 compression ratio
7 = model year: 1957
F = build plant: Dearborn Assembly Plant in Dearborn, Michigan
C = Body Serial Code: Fairlane 500 Sunliner (convertible), bench seat (77,728 produced during the 1957 model year)
376266 = Consecutive Unit Number (CUN): 276,266th Ford car scheduled to be built at the Dearborn Assembly Plant during the 1957 model year (Job 1 was CUN 100001)
The production data decode as follows:
BODY 76B = Body Style Code: Fairlane 500 Sunliner (convertible), bench seat (77,728 produced during the 1957 model year)
COLOR F = exterior paint color: Starmist Blue (light blue)
TRIM AB = interior trim color, material and front seat style: white vinyl cushions and light blue bolsters and back, bench seat
DATE 10W = scheduled build date: Tuesday, September 10, 1957
TRANS 3 = transmission type and shift location: 3-speed manual, column shift
AXLE 2 = rear axle ratio and type: 3.56:1 non-locking
1967 Galaxie 500 2-Door Hardtop
VIN 7N55Z147517, BODY 63B, COLOR A, TRIM 6D, DATE 31E, DSO 22, AXLE 4, TRANS 5
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Let's see what the VIN and production data tell us...
The VIN of 7N55Z147517 decodes as follows:
7 = model year: 1967
N = build plant: Norfolk Assembly Plant in Norfolk, Virginia
55 = Body Serial Code: Galaxie 500 2-door hardtop, bench seat (212,948 produced during the 1967 model year)
Z = engine: 390 Thunderbird Special V-8, 390-4V, 315 hp @ 4600 rpm, 427 lb-ft @ 2800 rpm, 10.5:1 compression ratio
147517 = Consecutive Unit Number (CUN): 47,517th Ford car scheduled to be built at the Norfolk Assembly Plant during the 1967 model year (Job 1 was CUN 100001)
The production data decode as follows:
BODY 63B = Body Style Code: Galaxie 500 2-door hardtop, bench seat (212,948 produced during the 1967 model year)
COLOR A = exterior paint color: Raven Black (black)
TRIM 6D = interior trim color, material and front seat style: red "Crinkle" pattern vinyl cushions, bolsters and back, bench seat
DATE 31E = scheduled build date: Wednesday, May 31, 1967
DSO 22 = District Sales Office: car was ordered through the Charlotte, North Carolina District Sales Office, which covered western North Carolina and South Carolina
AXLE 4 = rear axle ratio, type and ring gear diameter: 3.25:1 non-locking, 9-3/8"
TRANS 5 = transmission type and shift location: Toploader 4-speed manual, floor shift
This car is Registry Number 947 in the 1967 Ford Full-Size Registry.
Left click on the thumbnails below to read what the Buyer's Digest Of New Car Facts For 1967 had to say about the 1967 Galaxie 500 2-Door Hardtop:
1966 Fairlane GT Convertible
VIN 6H44S163100, BODY 76D, COLOR P, TRIM 86, DATE 18D, DSO 15, AXLE D, TRANS 5
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Let's see what the VIN and production data tell us...
The VIN of 6H44S163100 decodes as follows:
6 = model year: 1966
H = build plant: Lorain Assembly Plant in Lorain, Ohio
44 = Body Serial Code: Fairlane GT convertible, bucket seats (4,327 produced during the 1966 model year)
S = engine: 390 GT V-8, 390-4V, 335 hp @ 4800 rpm, 427 lb-ft @ 3200 rpm, 10.5:1 compression ratio
163100 = Consecutive Unit Number (CUN): 63,100th Ford car scheduled to be built at the Lorain Assembly Plant during the 1966 model year (Job 1 was CUN 100001)
The production data decode as follows:
BODY 76D = Body Style Code: Fairlane GT convertible, bucket seats (4,327 produced during the 1966 model year)
COLOR P = exterior paint color: Antique Bronze (medium bronze metallic)
TRIM 86 = interior trim color, material and front seat style: black "Crinkle" pattern vinyl cushions, bolsters and backs, bucket seats
DATE 18D = scheduled build date: Monday, April 18, 1966
DSO 15 = District Sales Office: car was ordered through the Newark, New Jersey District Sales Office, which covered New Jersey
AXLE D = rear axle ratio and type: 3.25:1 Limited Slip (locking)
TRANS 5 = transmission type and shift location: Toploader 4-speed manual, console shift
1969 Cobra 2-Door Hardtop
VIN 9K45Q148179, BODY 65A, COLOR A, TRIM 1A, DATE 02L, DSO 43, AXLE W, TRANS 6
Larry says: "Thank you very much for taking the time to look at this great example of '60s Ford muscle. We have attempted to restore the car to its original condition, giving due consideration to its very interesting history.
The car was ordered from Swendson Ford in Milwaukee, Wisconsin on October 11, 1968 for the sole purpose of being a pure racecar. The car was delivered to the original owner on December 4, 1968 and immediately prepared for the upcoming drag race season.
Interestingly enough, the car was campaigned by a different Ford dealer, also in the Milwaukee area. Its life at the races lasted several years, and then the car was retired in 1973.
Many positive benefits resulted from this history. First, the mileage you see is 100% actual accumulated ¼ mile at a time. Second, because the car was destined for racing, it was ordered with a very rare set of options. The black vinyl roof was an interesting combination with the 428 Super Cobra Jet engine and no radio. The “Drag Pack” option was not yet available when the car was ordered, but the vehicle is equipped with what would become the “Drag Pack” package after February 20, 1969. The Marti Auto Works Deluxe Report defines this car as 1 of 86 with these paint and trim codes, and 1 of 531 with these engine and transmission codes. The austere bench seat interior combined with the steel wheels and “poverty caps” make this baby a real sleeper. We have tried very hard to keep this look as original and menacing as it was “in the day”.
After the car was retired, it spent 24 years garaged, surfacing again in 1997 when it was offered for sale to Mr. Jim Plimpton, owner of Authentic Automotive, in the Milwaukee area. Jim finally acquired the car in March of 2006. The body and paint restoration began when we collaborated with Authentic Automotive in late 2006, ending with the beautiful paint and finish you see today.
This vehicle is in as pristine shape as a 38-year-old car can be. There is absolutely no rust anywhere, and the interior is all original except for the carpet and headliner. In restoring this beautiful car we wanted to be as original as possible, but keep its racing heritage and period-correct enhancements in mind.
The car does not have the original 4.30:1 rear gear (it was replaced with a 3.90:1 gear for drivability reasons), and we have added a dual point distributor, dished pistons (11.0:1 compression ratio) and upgraded camshaft, all of which are modifications allowed within the NHRA rules for C Stock (C/S). The original 428 Super Cobra Jet crankshaft (1UA casting code) and LeMans forged connecting rods (C6AE-E casting code) remain in the engine.
We have chosen to keep the original look of the wheels and base hub caps, but we could see adding a set of 15"x7” (rear) and 15"x5” (front) wheels in the future to make the stance of the car look even a little meaner!! The issue of headers was considered, but we opted to retain the original Ford low restriction, cast iron manifolds.
The flat hood begs for comment. Early non-Ram Air Cobras did not come with a hood scoop, as the hood scoop was an option and was not ordered for this car. In addition, a non-hood scoop car had the red “428” badges installed on the front fenders instead of on either side of the hood scoop. These features contribute to the uniqueness of this car."
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Let's see what the VIN and production data tell us...
The VIN of 9K45Q148179 decodes as follows:
9 = model year: 1969
K = build plant: Kansas City Assembly Plant in Claycomo, Missouri
45 = Body Serial Code: Cobra 2-door hardtop, bench or bucket seats (3,786 produced during the 1969 model year)
Q = engine: 428 Super Cobra Jet V-8, 428-4V, 335 hp @ 5200 rpm, 440 lb-ft @ 3400 rpm, 10.5:1 compression ratio
148179 = Consecutive Unit Number (CUN): 48,179th Ford car scheduled to be built at the Kansas City Assembly Plant during the 1969 model year (Job 1 was CUN 100001)
The production data decode as follows:
BODY 65A = Body Style Code: Cobra 2-door hardtop, bench or bucket seats (3,786 produced during the 1969 model year)
COLOR A = exterior paint color: Raven Black (black)
TRIM 1A = interior trim color, material and front seat style: charcoal black "Oneida" pattern cloth cushions, and charcoal black "Corinthian" pattern vinyl and charcoal black "Kiwi" pattern vinyl bolsters, sidings and backs, bench seats
DATE 02L = scheduled build date: Saturday, November 2, 1968
DSO 43 = District Sales Office: car was ordered through the Milwaukee, Wisconsin District Sales Office
AXLE W = rear axle ratio and type: 4.30:1 Traction-Lok (locking)
TRANS 6 = transmission type and shift location: Toploader 4-speed close ratio manual, floor shift
This car is Registry Number ? in the 1968-1969 Fairlane, Torino & Ranchero Registry.
Left click on the thumbnails below to read what the Buyer's Digest Of New Car Facts For 1969 had to say about the 1969 Cobra:
