paint codes

[ribside]

 I'm with Lou on this as I've seen too many 51A plates with no numbers, number 2 and 3 on two tone and style tone cars apparently at random on both early and late production cars. Like the interior "deviations" number, this is probably different paint manufacturer codes and/or formulation "deviations" so that a repair shop could match. Now I must say, I haven't come across these numbers on solid tone, single letter code plates...
Brian

[SkylinerRon]

A couple things: Both of those VIN plates have been removed (wrong rivets)  I didn't decode them all the way but, the Supercharged one would rate extra verification  for me.

All Skyliners have the gold side trim, only the Styletones have the chrome between the taillights.

How would anyone know which color the number refers to?

Wagons seem to have different paint/gold trim packages than Fairlane 500's, maybe because they are all built on the Custom chassis. Ford had 4 trim levels to chevs 3.  One upsmanship?

Paint codes can be used to identify a stolen/altered/reserialized vehicle. Say someone bought a totaled car then stole a similar one and switched VIN plates it would be impracticle to
totally repaint and retrim a car.

I guess we will never know all of the changes that occurred 62 odd years ago.

Ron.

[RICH MUISE]

The statement Lou made about the fact the cars were being painted before the vin  plate was installed is what got my attention....at least as far as wondering how the paint line knew what color scheme the car was to get. Reinforced my thought on the build sheet probably having the most detailed info as far as how the car was ordered. I guess what I'm saying is most likely the definitive answer as how a particular car was painted was on a piece of paper that rarely survives. At least the vehicle copy, and as previously stated the factory copy was lost in a fire.

[Jeff Norwell]

Yes Rich. correct.... I have my Brother in law that worked the line for 35 years.. Build sheets went with EVERY car and the VIN Tag was in the package.