1957 data plate VIN decoding 40-AA-XH-24L320088P

[MB1957Tbird]

I am a first time owner of this classic car which I purchased from my neighbor. It needs some work but the engine seems to run pretty well. I am curious about the vin number and production code. I understand some of it but not all.
the plate code is 40-AA-XH-24L320088P the vin is
so 40=1957
AA= body color and hard top matching color
XH= trim. this one has a red interior
24L should be production date of December 24th

I am not sure what the rest of the numbers mean. is the 0088 mean it was the 88th car sent to P? Wherever P may be?

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[Rust]

Vin Decoder-

 

[1957Birdman]

VIN numbers did not come into use until 1981, by government mandate. Your car has a serial number. The 32 after the date code indicates it was ordered by a Cleveland area dealer. The 0088 most likely means the number of cars that had been ordered by Cleveland areas dealers at the time this car was manufactured. There is no agreement in the T-Bird community on what the P stands for. Original dealer invoices are available through the oldest club related to the preservation and enjoyment of the 1955-7 Thunderbirds.
Lew Bachman
Potomac Classic Thunderbird Club Newsletter Editor
1957 Colonial White

 

[doug7740]

I am a first time owner of this classic car which I purchased from my neighbor. It needs some work but the engine seems to run pretty well. I am curious about the vin number and production code. I understand some of it but not all.
the plate code is 40-AA-XH-24L320088P the vin is
so 40=1957
AA= body color and hard top matching color
XH= trim. this one has a red interior
24L should be production date of December 24th

I am not sure what the rest of the numbers mean. is the 0088 mean it was the 88th car sent to P? Wherever P may be?

40A A XH 24L320088P

40A = Body Type (All 1955, 1956 & 1957 Ford Cars Were Coded 40A)
A = Body Color – Raven Black
XH = Trim Color - Red
24 = Day of the Month
L = Month - November
32 = Sales Area District – Cleveland
0088 = The 88th Thunderbird shipped to the Cleveland District for the 1957 model year (This method of numbering starts with 001 and increases as the year goes on)
P = The "P" at the end is a code for regular production (not special ordered). The Special ordered cars had the letters A, B, or C depending on several things such as factory discount, etc.

doug7740
1955 Thunderbird Blue

 

[Dave Tulowitzky]

I am a first time owner of this classic car which I purchased from my neighbor. It needs some work but the engine seems to run pretty well. I am curious about the vin number and production code. I understand some of it but not all.
the plate code is 40-AA-XH-24L320088P the vin is
so 40=1957
AA= body color and hard top matching color
XH= trim. this one has a red interior
24L should be production date of December 24th

I am not sure what the rest of the numbers mean. is the 0088 mean it was the 88th car sent to P? Wherever P may be?

This is the 88th T-Bird shipped to the Cleveland sales district. The "P" is the code for regular production (not special ordered).