Tbird production line trivia

[snowbird]

Re: Tbird production line trivia

As some of you know I bought my '03 to be a daily driver replacing my '92 Cougar. I did use it as a daily driver for the 1st few months, then I found this place. Thanks all of you original members, you wrecked my life - lol - I now have 2 cars sitting in my garage that I put less than 500 miles on a year, thanks a lot.


Unfortunately I found the site too late, the only thing I was able to get was the “sticker” and that’s due to the saleswoman knowing what a special car I bought.

If that saleswoman is still there, assuming the dealership is still open, they should be able to give you a copy of the factory invoice if they still have it on file. I got one for mine and I purchased it when it came off of lease. They still had it on file.

[birdfan]

Re: Tbird production line trivia

I have a trivia question that I have been meaning to ask, and this thread for production line trivia seems to be the place to ask it.

My '04 is a very early number, 100074. One of the numbers on the lower right of the window sticker is 07/14/03, but I don't know if this is an order entry date or production date. The car is merlot with the sand interior. The VC Code label on the drivers door has all the correct codes, except - there is no exterior paint color code. I know it should be FX for merlot, but the space is empty. No code at all.

I know this is a really trivial thing, but has anyone seen this before, and is it because it is an early production car?

[5bird7]

Re: Tbird production line trivia

I have a trivia question that I have been meaning to ask, and this thread for production line trivia seems to be the place to ask it.

My '04 is a very early number, 100074. One of the numbers on the lower right of the window sticker is 07/14/03, but I don't know if this is an order entry date or production date. The car is merlot with the sand interior. The VC Code label on the drivers door has all the correct codes, except - there is no exterior paint color code. I know it should be FX for merlot, but the space is empty. No code at all.

I know this is a really trivial thing, but has anyone seen this before, and is it because it is an early production car?

Unusual that there is no color code on the car. The date in the lower right of the window sticker is the date the window sticker was printed so probably was within a day or two of your car's start down the line or even the day it started down the line as the 14th was the first day of production for the 04s.

The previous 2 weeks was "vacation" time for most of the plant. It was also the transition time on the lines for changes to be made for the new model year.

sending you a pm.

[birdfan]

Re: Tbird production line trivia

Dot,
Thank you for that additional information.

For some reason trying to figure out a mystery like the missing color code intrigues me. Just some of the useless trivia in my head that fills up the space where I should be remembering where I left the car keys.

[DavidA]

Re: Tbird production line trivia

I would have thought by 2004, missing data would stop production. Back in the 60's there were all sorts of missing info or mis-info on data plates. when researching specific Ford cars these flaws showed up many times. I am surprised that yours is missing the color code, but history shows it is not impossible.

[5bird7]

Re: Tbird production line trivia

Since they go by the bar codes during production, the missing data on the plate may have been overlooked.
John, I assume your car's color is stated as bronze on the window sticker? The bar code would have caused it to be printed with that color name on the W.S.

[birdfan]

Re: Tbird production line trivia

The window sticker information matches the car (not surprisingly) and the other data on the VC code sticker matches (sand interior color for example) but just exterior color missing on the code sticker.

You are probably correct that the bar code is more important now-a-days for actual production, anyhow.

I just find it curious it was missing and wondered if anyone had seen that before (and might know why). Or whether my car is one-of-a-kind and therefore worth a lot more (don't worry, just kidding on that folks).

[007Cruiser]

Re: Tbird production line trivia

Hold on to that WS for future documentation of the original color.

[davedan]

Re: Tbird production line trivia

is there a source for copys of window stickers or factory invoices i got the original one for my cashmere but can not seem to get for my blue 05 original dealer is out of business local dealer says they can not get i have a 91 buick reatta that i was able to get the factory invoice from a gm site

[5bird7]

Re: Tbird production line trivia

no source other than thru a cooperating Ford dealer since the data for building one has to come from within Ford. like finding a needle in a haystack. I doubt it could be done though after the car reaches it's 10th year.

Others have gone thru Ford customer service and had a letter sent with all the codes, etc... used, included in the letter. One could build their own from that, using graphics program and an original sticker as a template.

[00mustng]

Re: Tbird production line trivia

....I think a co-operating Ford dealer is an oxymoron...

[5bird7]

Re: Tbird production line trivia

there are some out there, Martin.

[Ol'Dave]

Re: Tbird production line trivia

Hey David. If FORD closed the store, Inventory and all records would have been sent ot another FORD Store. If private store, those records may still be available. It's winter anyway, time for some computer searching. You'd be surprised at the info you may be able to obtain, with very little digging.