Ford M38CDN Production
I have seen a photocopy of a Month-End Serial Number Report for Ford Motor Company of Canada, Limited. The section titled "1952 - - M-38 Production - (Month-end)" has month-end serial numbers: January F-100100. February F-100234. March F-100399. April F-100682. May F-100997. June F-101247. July F-101632. August F-101764. September F-101935. October F-102051. November F-102135 - End of M38-11/27/52. F-200041 - M38A1 - 11/28/52. For December there are handwritten notes: 750 Jobs - Built Dec. 1952 and Jan. 1953. See Jan. 1953 Records. Last 224 Jobs with short dipstick."
So it appears that the last M38, serial F-102135 was produced on 11/27/52. However the data plate would show the "Delivered Date" not date of production.
For instance, dealing with the first 100 produced by January month-end: I have delivered dates for 14 M38CDN below F-100100 (produced by January month-end): the earliest delivered date is February 4, 1952 and the latest was February 27. The delayed dates of delivery were probably due to final touches to bring the jeep up to standard or until the inspector had time to examine it.
So my conclusion: Ford knew exactly how many M38's were made each month, each had a serial number but the stamped "delivered date" was delayed, often up to a month or more.
Unfortunately the procedure of stamping the CFR number on the left front frame does not seem to have been implemented until about 300 or so were made. As a result confirmed CFR's for the first 100 M38CDN's are very rare. Only a surviving stencil or old paperwork can confirm a CFR for very early M38CDN's.
Any help is appreciated from M38CDN owners: Ford serial #, delivered date, inspectors marking, contract number (639 vs 742), and CFR # would help me clarify the M38CDN story. Your information is confidential with me unless you are willing to share publically, but it will help me fill in the information gaps and broaden the story.
Another discussion all together is the Canadian-used Willys M38: typically 10-51 delivery date, serial numbers 37xxx to 38xxx, usually with very high CFR's : 52-33xxxx. .......... Brian
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