Build Dates

[JohnnyQuest]

Would this be the latest Hi-po registry info?

http://www.cobranda.com/289hipemu.html

Thanks!

[J_Speegle]

Would this be the latest Hi-po registry info?

http://www.cobranda.com/289hipemu.html

Thanks!

May be the most current (only complete up to the point when it was published) in print. Sites been down for a short while.

Of course for this discussion - projected build dates - you want to look at not just K codes but all of production and its not really going to be of much of a guide IMHO for the real completion date of your car.

[JohnnyQuest]

I agree, here is what concoursmustang.com said...dates of 30J and  31J are Sept 30 and Sept 31, no 31 in 1965 calendar year:

Welcome to the site. Hope you find it useful in your restoration focused endeavors

San Jose Mustangs with VINs like yours were assigned dates of 30J or 31J on their door tags typically.

These dates were assigned as a guess when the cars would be completed when the order was received by the car plant and entered into the computer system.  Dates (from examples we've collected) can be off a week or two typically. Sometimes closer some times much later. Furthest off I've got records of is 8 months late 

"Looking for the latest dated sheet metal panel on the unibody, compared to bolt on panels (this may have been replaced at some point) and engine casting dates and assembly dates will provide a peek into a time period. Figure in the fact that each had to be stamped at the stamping plant (or cast and assembled into sub assemblies ), packaged, wait for a west bound train, the transportation time for the trip to northern Calif, unloaded or the car uncoupled and recoupled to a train going to the Milpitas car assembly plant, inventoried, and moved to the assembly line, then installed.

Sometimes everything feel into place and that process apparently didn't take that long in other examples it took a long time with delays and other issues

Again welcome to the site. There is an article in the Library section of this site on finding and decoding date codes. It is a basic outline but its a start and help for the process"

[J_Speegle]

I agree, here is what concoursmustang.com said...dates of 30J and  31J are Sept 30 and Sept 31, no 31 in 1965 calendar year:

Yes made the same mistake since it was asked and answered both places   Has been corrected

[6s1640]

Hi all,

I am going to go out on a limb, but I would bet the scheduled build dates were used to forecast ordering parts from the suppliers or within Ford.  Just a tool for part ordering.  The Ford PA's (Purchase Agents, part of their supplier management organization) needed to know when to order parts, how many parts and have shipped/deliver to their receptive assembly build areas.  I am involved with a very large OEM with millions of parts being needed to build an end product.  We use what is called a "Firing order", essentially with the VIN's with scheduled build dates with a schedule when parts are due, without receiving too soon or too late.  It is quite the balancing act.

Cory