Not all bodies had a body builder's tag or identification.

The prefix on the body builder's serial number tag was the body company's internal identification of the Ford body type.

The number after the prefix was the serial number the builder assigned to that particular body. Those serial numbers were not assigned by Ford.

The body manufacturer's tag number (if present) was never part of the Ford vehicle serial number, or identification number for title or registration purposes.

The body builder tags in 1928-29 and were typically made of brass and were nailed to the wooden floor structure, behind or outside the RH front occupant's feet under the carpet.

The brass Briggs Manufacturing Corporation tag above is from a 1929 Leatherback Fordor Sedan 60-B.

In 1930-31, most body tags were typically made of zinc (and later aluminum) and were drive-riveted or screwed to the firewall below the patent plate data tag under the hood. Some early 1930 firewall body tags were brass, similar to 1928-29 versions.

The zinc Briggs Manufacturing Company tag above is from a 1930 Deluxe Coupe 45-B.

The aluminum Murray Corporation of America tag below is from a 1931 (slant windshield) Town Sedan 160-B.

In the Body Style Identification tables below there are references to 'flat firewall' and 'indented firewall' body details for some 1931 entries.

In April 1931 Ford began converting the gas tank design and fuel shutoff valve location from a 'flat firewall' and inside gas valve design, to a design having an 'indented firewall' ('inverted teardrop depression') and an under-hood gas valve arrangement.

This design change is often useful in dating approximate build timing of various early 1931 models, as either 'early' or 'late'.

The firewall above is a Murray stamping, noted by the use of a cage nut rather than a 'D' nut, and the specific shape of the inverted teardrop. Non-Murray firewalls had a similar but different shaped inverted teardrop indentation.

When Ford changed to the indented style firewall in April/May 1931, existing stocks of the earlier style flat firewall panels on hand were reworked by re-stamping the indentation into them.

Those 're-stamped' firewalls were used throughout the remainder of 1931 production, primarily in the construction of truck cabs and commercial models.

The re-stamped firewalls are very evident in their appearance, showing the flattened rib from the original flat firewall stamping.

Ford often assigned their own body ID/serial numbers to bodies produced and assembled within their own operations or Branch assembly plants.

If present, those numbers were stamped on interior floor sills at each plant, identifying both the plant and body serial number. The Ford body number (if present) was never part of the Ford vehicle serial number, or identification number for title or registration purposes.

See the first related link in the list at the bottom of this page for more information.

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