1957 Build sheet Information

[Gregory]

Is Lois Emminger still handleing all build sheet information for Thunderbirds or has it been handed off to another party. I am trying to search out information about my Thunderbird with out much success. Can anyone recommend an expert knowledgeable about data plate information? Does anyone know what a TYPE D7S refers to on the Data Plate?
Thanks

[nomadbird]

Gregory,

You are talking about Factory Invoices, right? Build Sheets commonly used on most cars, have never been available for Birds as far as I know. Lois Eminger was one of the pioneers in making the Factory Invoices available as a club project for The American Road Thunderbird Club (T.A.R.T.C) back in the '70s.

Factory Invoices are still available from:
T.A.R.T.C. Invoices
P.O. Box 255
Sterling Heights, Mi.
48311-0255

You will need to include the following:
1. Data Plate tracing
2. Copy of proof of ownership
3. $50.00Check or Money Order payable to:
T.A.R.T.C. Invoices

Exactly where on your data plate does it say D7S?

Tom D.

[Gregory]

Tom
Send me your E-mail and I'll send you a photo of the build plate information. The car has two build plates, both from Ford and they both have the VIN number on them. Send me an E'mail to [email protected]

Thanks
Gregory

[nomadbird]

Received pictures of your data plates and I concur with your interpretation of the bulk of the data.

The production code 28C820392P breaks down as:
28C= Scheduled for production on March 28,'57
82= FMC Export Operations, New Jersey
0392P= 392nd item scheduled for
production (Interpretation
may vary) Some say its for the DSO, others say total
production that day.) Seems obvious in this case. The "P" means "scheduled" or "Planned" and may not have occured.
Your identification of color and code is correct except the soft top color never appeared on the data plate. Also, your car apparently was delivered with the soft top only. Your invoice will confirm/refute this. You also asked why 40A appeared sometime as the model #. During the '55 and possibly the '56 model run, the model 40 indicated a Thunderbird and the A or B suffix indicated hard or soft top. I don't think this was carried into the '57 model run.

The French Data Plate is the first I've ever heard about. Very interesting! All I can do is venture some guesses on the translation. My guesses closely coincide with yours. D 7 S may mean a D engine (312, 245 H P) 7 is the model year and S is the designation for Thunderbird in the FoMoCo part numbering system. The indicated weight of 1780 Kg. seems way out of line. That is just under 2 tons! I registered a new '57 in Michigan where the license fee was determined by weight. It weighed just under 3200# for registration purposes and the license cost $10.85. Are you listening Governor Ahnold?

Different governmental jurisdictions had differing methods of taxing vehicles. Some states used value, others used weight, and a few may have had H.P. or engine size as a taxing standard. Other countries including those in Europe and Asia were death on engine size and output. Even some Canadian Provinces used taxable H.P. as a standard back then.

Consider posting those pixs of the data plates on your web site. We may pick up some expert input or at least some interesting theories.

Tom D.

[Gregory]

Tom
You have been very helpful and I thank you. Today the DMV gave me clear title so I put my check and copies of the appropriate information in the mail to T.A.R.T.C. I'll keep you posted and probably send a scan, for your interest, of the final data sheet when it arrives. Of course that is weeks and possible months in the future.
There are still a few questions lingering questions and time will probably sort them out. I have a gate release for another export 57 T-bird that has some interesting information on it i.e. METRIC SPEEDO 1.00, FT OPER TIRE PUMP 2.60(WHATS THAT?) AND 2 PTS T/UP PT 2.00 (WHATS THAT STAND FOR?) TG 17.10? AND OF 4.90 AND PAW 6.00
That's probably simple for someone that is familiar with the terms but Greek to me. I'll post the data plate on my WEB site.
Tom thanks again I very much appreciate your effort and helping to make sense of the data.

Gregory

[Gregory]

For those that might interested I'll post the French Data Plate Photo on my WEB site at http://users.adelphia.net/~gs.graham/

Thanks Again
Gregory

[65tbirdconv]

GREAT effort Tom with your post in here on the data plate.

[Gregory]

If your interested my invoice or build sheet is now posted on my WEB site. Interesting... I have written an article for the CTCI about this car that will appear in this summers Early Bird edition.

[Brian]

Greg - beautiful red bird. Where did you get your interior?

[Gregory]

Brian - the interior came with the car. Looks like it was replaced in the last 10 years or less. Changed from white to red. I have replaced the garnish rails and that was about it. Looks pretty good but still needs some detail and screw replacements. Thanks for the complements.