Re: Thief-Proof Numbers (body serial numbers)

Posted by Owen_Dyneto On 2011/3/13 10:53:50

Interesting piece of new information today courtesy of Mr. Ole Book's recent trip to Sweden and his examination of a 1955 Patrician originally purchased by the Swedish Air Force as a courtesy car for dignitaries.

This car, 5582-1012, has the highest known thief-proof number for any V8 (both 1955 & 1956) vehicle, coupled with a very low vehicle number. Curiously, the now next-highest number is also found on a 1955 Patrician, #1003, also a very early car. Note that these thief-proof numbers are FAR higher (by about 10,000) than any found on any 1956 vehicle.

We can ponder the interpretation of this; one would be that all the 4-door sedan senior bodies were built in 1955, stored and retrieved for final assembly in a last-in, first out sequence. Other intrepretations are possible of course - any thoughts? For example, the cowl stampings rather than body tubs might have been stamped/numbered and inventoried last-in, first-out. You might want to read the two articles in TPC on the research of these numbers for background first. I'd certainly appreciate any speculation.