Re: Harry..C1's..after the vin tag and frame stamp
The transmission
The transmission
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The light at the end of the tunnel has been turned off. -
Re: Here is the answer!!!
Sterling Precision Corporation, Fiberglass Plastics Division, 1302
Expressway Drive, Toledo 8, Ohio, USA. Label's "circle" proclaimed
"Sterling" as "The most advanced in Engineering", but by 1958 there was no longer a posting of any part of the VIN - at least on the 3 HT's of that vintage that I've looked at.Comment
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Hard to believe...
It's well known that you'll find the JOB number + paint color beneath the headliner of mid-year cars. The HT 'rode' with the body through the paint booth and was just another major body sub-assy item that required build identification so it like other pieces was chaulk marked with the job number.
But, at the time body components were built, the VIN of the final car was as yet undetermined (wouldn't be known until the car components met up with each other on the final assy line) which is why the job numbering system was used. the HT on my '65 BB has the job number plus 'Maroon' scribbled on the raw fiberglass underneath the headliner and the job number matches what's applied to other body panel components. However, this is far from the VIN number.
In fact, I think you'll find the VIN number appears in only ONE place on these cars--the VIN tags. The other identifying marks (engine, transmission, frame) are technically VIN 'derivatives' since they're only a segment of the full VIN ID sequence....Comment
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Re: Hard to believe...
Jack it was hard for me to believe as well..so I called George the hardtop guy and he confirmed the details and his research. Now could he be mistaking a job number for the last 4 digits of a vin..maybe..but he was certain and reiterated it was the last 4 digits of the VIN # in our conversation based on restorations he has done..and went through the details of his research on the suppliers of the fiberglass and the frame as well as his personal findings in restoring C1 hardtops.
I did not inquire beyond our conversation of C1 and 1956/1957 in particular.
It seems reasonable to me that a matching vin ID or job # was used to marry the hardtop exterior color and headliner color to the specific car it was prepared for on the line.
At least now more restorers will take the care to review this under hardtop information, photograph their findings and share them with the members.
Do you have a photograph of the Sterling label in a 1956/1957 hardtop..or does anyone else?
Just trying to walk on the sunny side of the street.
PS....your hesitation to be a believer reminds me of a letter I sent to Sam Folz about 23 years ago concerning a red stamp I found on the drivers side inner door of a low mileage 54 I had... that said Lunn Laminates. Sam said he never heard of them!
PSS..I will better satisfy myself of this revelation the day I remove the headliner from 1957 #775...stay tuned!
JoeComment
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Re: Hard to believe...
Here's a picture from a 63 top.
Harry
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Re: Hard to believe...
Harry
Thanks for the post. I am sure there were running changes in the process from the inception of the 1956 model.
I am informed that the 56/57 hardtop fiberglass itself was different from 58 and later fiberglass..and has more of a green tint..before Sterling upgraded their formula resulting in a color and strength closer to the body panels.
JoeComment
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Re: on your body
When was the first year of NCRS people found out about the C1's original paint color by scraping their paint in the truck or behind the seats ????Comment
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Re: on your body
Roy, If I am remembering correctly...
It is heard that some very late 57's had it written in the trunk area and all 58's-60's. The 61's and 62's were written behind the seats. This was done with a green grease crayon.
Joe, great information thanks a bunch!!!!!!!!!!!! Now who has my hardtops?
Harry, my vin is stamped on the frame of my 57 in its entire vin# not a derivative.
Best,
Jacob Angel
# 40987
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Correction, sorry Harry
in the third part of the above post I mentioned Harry, I meant Jack Humphrey. Sorry for any inconveniences!
JacobComment
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