1956 Decoding a 31K build date.

[tovigba]

This data plate code (31KLX2) indicates a build date of November 31st, which cannot be. Did Ford skip an alphabet letter in 1956? One article I found stated that in 1956 the letter M designated December so that an alphabet was skipped. I am stumped and any help or insights would be greatly appreciated (Oh, BTW, getting my 56 T-bird delivered today so I am new to the Forum) Thanks!

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[ICON 56]

Here's the b
40 A: Body Type
All 1955 and 1956 Thunderbirds left the factory with body code 40A. [1]

• 40A: Thunderbird [1, 2]

L2: Exterior Paint Color
The "L2" indicates a two-tone exterior finish. [1]

• L: Peacock Blue
• 2: Indicates the secondary color is Colonial White on the body / removable hardtop. [1, 2, 3]

XG: Interior Trim

• XG: Brown and White Vinyl [1]

31KLXZ: Production Code
This cluster represents the scheduled date and details of assembly. [1]

• 31: Day of the month scheduled for assembly.
• K: Month scheduled (K stands for October).
• LXZ: L likely refers to the Sales Area District (e.g., Los Angeles), followed by a consecutive "Scheduled Item Number" representing its specific place in line on that day's assembly schedule

reak down....

 

[Shawnski]

Is there a data plate decoding sheet available? Love to decode mine to understand when and where she came from.

 

[ICON 56]

Tou get that info is you can go on line and ask AI with the data plate info on it. I was lucky to get the original invoice of my car from the assembly line....

 

[Tom Alpers]

 

[tovigba]

Here's the b
40 A: Body Type
All 1955 and 1956 Thunderbirds left the factory with body code 40A. [1]

• 40A: Thunderbird [1, 2]

L2: Exterior Paint Color
The "L2" indicates a two-tone exterior finish. [1]

• L: Peacock Blue
• 2: Indicates the secondary color is Colonial White on the body / removable hardtop. [1, 2, 3]

XG: Interior Trim

• XG: Brown and White Vinyl [1]

31KLXZ: Production Code
This cluster represents the scheduled date and details of assembly. [1]

• 31: Day of the month scheduled for assembly.
• K: Month scheduled (K stands for October).
• LXZ: L likely refers to the Sales Area District (e.g., Los Angeles), followed by a consecutive "Scheduled Item Number" representing its specific place in line on that day's assembly schedule

reak down....

Thanks ICON 56, the K standing for October makes sense. The interior trim code is XC which I learned stands for Dark Peacock Blue and White Vinyl. Everything else match up with the Bird. I think the last "LX2" appears to be the Louisville Kentucky sales district (LX), which may make sense since the car has been in Texas since the 90's at the very least. Thanks for all your help!

 

[tovigba]

Is there a data plate decoding sheet available? Love to decode mine to understand when and where she came from.

I since learned that "K" is October (I guess Ford omitted an alpha in 56).

 

[Pink T-Bird]

I since learned that "K" is October (I guess Ford omitted an alpha in 56).

Ford omitted O and I from month and date codes as they were too similar to 0 and 1.
If a run went past 12 months they started at Z for Dec and ran backwards. So when the 57 Tbirds ran long because the 58s weren’t ready you’ll see month codes of W, X and Y for Sept, Oct, Nov 1957.
In date codes for castings the 9th of any month would be J not K for example. 24th would be Z, and the they turned the letters upside down and continued to 31 which should be upside down G.