M code '63 for sale in UK (on ebay)

30psi · Post by **30psi** » Thu Mar 26, 2009 7:34 pm

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll? ... 0396952247

Looks like this car has only recently arrived from the US to the UK.

Anyone know this specific car? Realistically how more powerful is the M code engine?

TsNStangs · Post by **TsNStangs** » Thu Mar 26, 2009 8:07 pm

Well, that 3x2 intake added 40HP to the 390, which while a fairly nice jump in power, probably didn't make a whole lot of noticeable difference in a car of that weight, but it is definitely a cool, sought-after option, and a great source of bragging rights!

30psi · Post by **30psi** » Thu Mar 26, 2009 8:10 pm

Yeah but is it really 300bhp to start with?

TsNStangs · Post by **TsNStangs** » Thu Mar 26, 2009 8:37 pm

Welllll...that depends on how you look at it.

I don't know if you're familiar with the U.S. measuring standards, but previous to 1972, when SAE stepped in to make horsepower testing a bit more "realistic" with belts/accessories installed on engines, HP was measured as more-or-less "brake horsepower", i.e. nothing attached to the engine to rob or lose power.
So, yeah, technically they made 300BHP, but that's not comparable to modern "net" HP ratings with those parasitic losses figured in...

Art Kastl · Post by **Art Kastl** » Thu Mar 26, 2009 8:41 pm

Martin - If you ever go see the car in London, take a look at the VIN nbr. stamped just front of the passenger side hood latch and also the VIN stamped on the top of the firewall...

You can see the VIN stamped below:

VIN # stamped just in back of the sheet metal fabrication date of 3 28 2C:

If they all match to the alum. data plate then great...I can see that the data plate seems to have been masked off prior to repaint and has a build date of Nov. 21st. Now, if you want to go further, you would probably want to verify the casting #'s and casting date on the intake man. and the carb markings. Here is where that excellent '61 - '63 OFS Spec. manual comes handy if you don't already have it...

nbaum · Post by **nbaum** » Thu Mar 26, 2009 9:15 pm

I will have to check but I did not think the M codes started coming out till Jan 62. I could be wrong
Just looked in William Wonder's book and if I read it right the lowest number 62 M code in the book is 135695!! January production.
I would do a bunch of checking on this car if anyone is interested.

nbaum · Post by **nbaum** » Thu Mar 26, 2009 9:20 pm

My mistake I see now its a 63 not a 62.
Lots of custom work done on it.

ozbird · Post by **ozbird** » Fri Mar 27, 2009 12:02 am

Must be something under that shag that the previous owners wanted to hide!

I don't know about you but all that 'stuff' would have to go.

Graeme

redstangbob · Post by **redstangbob** » Fri Mar 27, 2009 5:47 am

Art, not to high-jack this thread..but can you tell me how to de-code the sheet metal fab data? Thanks, Bob C

Art Kastl · Post by **Art Kastl** » Fri Mar 27, 2009 8:22 am

Bob - to the best of my research to date, there seems to have been 5 to 6 sheet metal fabrication plants producing product for FoMoCo at this time (working 3 full around the clock shifts). These plants included: Chicago, Buffalo, Cleveland, Dearborn, Monroe and Woodhaven ?

The 3 15 2A translates to March 15th, 2 shift (Chicago Plant):

The 3 28 2C would then decode to March 28th, 2nd shift Cleveland:

The 4 11 2 decodes to April 11th, 2nd shift (no plant this time):

No actual "year" was stamped, so it sometimes becomes a little more difficult but as you can see with my 62 HT having a build date of April 26th, 1962, all the codes I've located on it fall with a few weeks to 4 month timeframe from assembly. The above stampings are interesting since they were obviously filled in with silver paint (after the Raven Blk enamel was laid down).

This is still an open area of analysis for me but evidence seems to justify what we have here... This year, when I spend more time at our CTC show events I'll further document this and see if my analysis holds up.

Bob, does this make sense (with your knowledge of the Wixom area)???

redstangbob · Post by **redstangbob** » Fri Mar 27, 2009 8:54 am

Thanks Art, yes this makes sense to me. My knowledge of Wixom in the 60's is only what can find on the web. I think it was one of, if not the largest assy plant Ford had. So can I read the stamping plants A B C D E in the respective order you listed? (just curious you know

) I do believe Woodhaven which is also in our metro region, is a huge supplier of stampings. I'm going to take this and dig around, you've got me thinking

Thanks Bob C

Art Kastl · Post by **Art Kastl** » Fri Mar 27, 2009 9:00 am

Bob - Yep, you've got the order correct to the best of what I've come up with to date. I'd be interesting to see what you come up with and if the stampings hold true into your "generation" !!!

Thanks in advance...

redstangbob · Post by **redstangbob** » Sun Mar 29, 2009 8:54 am

I drove past the old plant on Friday and made up my mind to stop and get some pictures of it if I can sometime later this year. Its kinda sad looking, everything empty looking. Also a lot of construction right at the Wixom rd exit so its a little hard to get around.

This is what I used to see driving down the freeway
http://www.jamd.com/image/g/56652409

redstangbob · Post by **redstangbob** » Mon Mar 30, 2009 7:03 pm

I made a few calls today and got some feelers out for some old timers at the stamping plants here in town ( Dearborn and Woodhaven). Lets see what I can get from "friends of friends"

Art Kastl · Post by **Art Kastl** » Mon Mar 30, 2009 9:55 pm

Many thanks Bob... I can't wait to see if what I've researched holds up!...

I think Alan (and others) would appreciate your effort and the OFS could be annotated with information like this in the future... I think it's a good way to help verify the "DNA" of a car...

Vintage Thunderbird Club International

M code '63 for sale in UK (on ebay)

M code '63 for sale in UK (on ebay)

M code

M code

Looks bogus!