1972-73 owners-mind your P's and Q's

[Viperwolf1]

I've been working on an accurate VIN chart (VIN vs month/year built) for some time. One problem area that I've seen on all published charts is late '72 and early '73. This is the P and Q zone. Every now and then I'll see a VIN pop up that doesn't seem to fit in these charts. I have collected some data points to prove these other charts are wrong but I don't have enough data to populate an accurate chart.

This is where you can help. I need just 3 or 4 characters from the VIN starting with the P or Q. You don't need to post your entire VIN. For example, for VIN U15GLP12345, I need the characters "P123" and the build month. The build month can be from the tag on the driver's door post, Marti report, or Ford build sheet. It needs to be from a documented source not your aging memory of when your think your uncle bought it off the dealer lot.

Thanks for the help.

 

[AZ73]

1973. Build date 9/72 "T" shift D20 Q235

 

[DirtDonk]

Have a friend with a registered '72 built in 7/72 according to the sticker (just saw it an hour or two ago). I'll get the VIN for you tonight.
Update: VIN is P63419

Paul

 

[Unknown]

1972 - Build date 6/72 - P617 - T shift.

 

[8ntdone]

'73 Q710xx build date 11/17/72

 

[broncnaz]

1973 Ranger Q613 dont have the door tag anymore but title says build date 07/72 of course the VIN charts say build of Nov.
Tshift transfer Ranger model, no Ranger badge on glove box

 

[Viperwolf1]

I see a problem already. These two tags shouldn't exist. At least not with an Oct '72 date. All the P's should be gone before the Q's start.

 

[shamu]

Sorry for not reading the text. But I had a 1971 1/2 U14 6 cyl that had the Q and nobody could help me back when I was trying to find its origion. I was told New Orleans, it was a guess.
I will look for the old paper work.

 

[broncnaz]

My VIN and supposed build date doesnt match up well either but Im think due to the New Ranger Model making its debut maybe some Q's were built early for the showrooms. Might be something to consider that some Rangers were built early in 72 before all the 72's were built. So VIN may be kinda out of order so to speak.
I'll have to check the stencil under the dash I seem to remember a date on that it would give a idea of when t was painted.

 

[brandenpro]

Q88300 built on 12/7/72. 73 model year.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[behemoth]

9/72 build glp8863

 

[Viperwolf1]

This is what I'm looking at. So far everyone's input falls in line with this chart more or less. The odd things are Oct '72 P's ('73) and the abrupt end of the '72 P's at 69000. It may have been that Ford finished out the P's in Oct '72. In that case I wouldn't expect to see any Oct '72 Q's.

 

[Banjer Picker]

I have a '73. The MFR date is 10/72.
P902XX

Had a T shift trans case when I bought it. Door decal matches the glove box.

Viper, any idea why the numbers following the P are so high on mine? Seems out of line w/ your other findings. I'm intrigued now

 

[AZ73]

1973. Build date 9/72 "T" shift D20 Q235

When I media blasted the body, this was on the firewall. I'm assuming it's 8/28/72 for the body with the actual Bronco having a 9/72 build. It's a 73 but with a T shift. No idea what the A is. Frame VIN matched the door.

 

[Deano]

I'm glad mine is not a problem. It's a early 72 so it's got 11-71 and its a N on the striker tag so mine is correct to the chart it looks like. Viper have you made a chart for all years?

 

[Viperwolf1]

Viper have you made a chart for all years?

Working on it. There are still a couple problem areas in it.

 

[Bronco Junkie]

Sorry Viperwolf I forgot to get my info last night. I have a note to do it tonight.

 

[Viperwolf1]

I have a '73. The MFR date is 10/72.
P902XX

Had a T shift trans case when I bought it. Door decal matches the glove box.

Viper, any idea why the numbers following the P are so high on mine? Seems out of line w/ your other findings. I'm intrigued now

That's what I'm trying to figure out. See post #7. Either the Qs were suspended and Ps resumed in about Sept-Oct '72 or there were Qs and Ps produced at the same time.

J shift started around Q80001.

 

[demesauce]

I have a 73. T-Shift TC. Build is 10/72. P88572

Good luck

 

[Doyle]

My 73 has build date of 4/73 R600xx Ranger on glovebox and J shift.