Vin ID on Tbird

[5bird7]

Had our windshield replaced yesterday on our 05. When the old one came off, George noticed that the body (cowl) area under the windshield had 2 copies of the vin# etched into it. You won't find this unless you are there watching a windshield get replaced. Here's one of them.

IMG_2345vin.jpg

[BLACK BEAUTY]

Is that normal Dot? My 'windscreen' on Black Beauty has plenty of pits, Baby Blue is near perfect. Of course there is 70,000 more miles on Black Beauty

[wcoates]

Very Interesting Dot. Was that an aid to manufacturing. Sure Mr. McCloud could have some thoughts. Theft recovery ?????!!

As I said Dot, very interesting but wondering why!

[snowbird]

Find these on Birds already back in the 50's and 60's besides the data plate on the door or door pillar. Her are the places on a '64 to '66 .

2470.jpg

[5bird7]

Bill and Martin, thanks for your posts. Not sure when these were engraved in the retros as they appear to have been done after the paint was applied. They may have been put on for both of the reasons that Bill suggested.
Maybe they were to help the line workers to make sure the parts that needed to be attached after painting to make sure they were on the right cars and before the windshield was placed on the car.

We do know that there are stickers on doors, hood and trunk lid that have the vins but not where all the etched vins are. Maybe someone can dig thru the workshop manuals and see if there is a graphic in there that no one has noticed?

[snowbird]

The VIN's on the older ones like in post 4 were not etched Dot but stamped into the metal. The actual plates that are on the doors or door posts were easily removed, or doors changed after damage and now the donor VIN is on the car not matching the stamped VIN's or the persons ownership / insurance. A major problem if car get's stolen and you need to prove ownership .Have seen this many times on older collectors .

The only etched VIN I have seen was on our retro's on the Windshield on a 2002 Bird down in Mexico . It had the letters MEX added to the VIN . I may have sent you a picture of this a number of years ago .

[5bird7]

The only etched VIN I have seen was on our retro's on the Windshield on a 2002 Bird down in Mexico . It had the letters MEX added to the VIN . I may have sent you a picture of this a number of years ago .

that I don't recall but I can check to see if I filed it under your name.

[Quickdraw]

I would bet those etched VINs are the very first designation that ties that body to a specific order. It would serve to identify the body before the stamped VIN plates were applied.