One of the mysteries of car restoration is all the strange color tapes and hand written markings that can be found on the car. These were obviously important to the assembly line workers while the cars were going down the line but what do they mean? Some obviously identified the particular parts that were to be installed on the car while others were likely notations of work completed. I was recently cleaning the underside of our Spoiler II and found some evidence of the original markings.
I am no expert in this historical world of assembly line codes but I know many of you are. Starting today I am asking you to send us photos of the markings you have found on your car, where (in detail) they were located and what they mean, if you know. If you don’t know we will be asking you experts out there to tell us. All photos and translations will be posted on the web site for future reference.
Here is the first one. This one was provided by Wayne Perkins and is the marking on the body under the rear bumper of a 1969 Mercury Cyclone Cale Yarborough Spoiler II.
Neither Wayne or I could explain the “757” that he had found. However, Mike Schneider says : “Most assembly plants had sequencing numbers that have nothing to do with the eventual VIN of the car. My Cale has “793″ crayon marking under the rear bumper.”
That is a good start to explaining these particular numbers but what exactly does the “sequencing number” tell us? Does this apply to all Cyclones? Just Spoiler II cars? Or?
Sends us photos of what you want explained and if you are real smart tell us what are markings and color dabs mean! Email to: rfleener@comcast.net
Here is an additional photo provided by Brian Abshier.
Brian states: “This is a pick of a number I found. It seems to match the rotation number on my build sheet. The pic is the rear splash shield in the Dan Gurney Spoiler II front fender well. This number also
appears on the passenger side floorboard. I couldn’t get a pic of this because its so nasty it wouldn’t come out. The car has been painted before so its not under the rear bumper but I am sure it was.
On the build sheet of every car the first item that appears is a “Rotation Number”. This is number that was assign to the car as it was being built. So as the car was coming down the assembly line the proper parts would be installed {also on the build sheet} You normally will find this same number on the front passenger side of the radiator support {Normally hidden when the fender is on. I have also seen some of these numbers written on the back of the rear end pumkin. Hope this helps
Marty
Wow Marty, Thanks! It is good to known someone that knows stuff 🙂 ! Next week I will have some suspension marking questions, stay tuned.
One of my Cyclones has the numbers in the same areas and on the underside of the console.
Alan, just curious what were your numbers?
894 is the number for a 68 390 GT Cyclone.I also have four consoles with the numbers 392,588,714,894.