Markings on firewall

[BubbaBear]

Our '53 Commander has a 153 in white marked on the passenger side of the firewall. Any significance?

[Chris_Dresbach]

Probably a factory ID number. They did that while parts/frames were in storage in the main yard and when they needed such a part to go down the line, they would look for that number and get it.

[silverhawk]

What he said, haha! Alot of people have found them on there cars; usually not too significant, but really cool none the less! I got some on mine, but they are red.

[studeclunker]

These markings are pretty common. That is if you're talking about the grease-pencil marks. My Bess has one too:

[aenthal]

Are you sure these aren't rotation numbers having to do with the assembly of the cars?
In some other marques these grease pencil figures are put on at the buck stage when one can not yet tell what kind of car it will become.
They existed to cue assembly plant workers to all kinds of things such as options or colors.
Compile what everyone has and what year/kind of Studebaker it is, and the options, and you may be able to figure out what 153 and X1930 actually mean.

[Welcome]

Our '53 Commander has a 153 in white marked on the passenger side of the firewall. Any significance?

All the "grease-pencil" type markings I’ve ever seen on that side of the cowl were on Studebaker’s assembled at the Vernon Plant. But of course they do a lot of things differently …out there in Ka-lif-for-ne-a

Most likely was used to identify the "Line-set" number of that particular body.

CORRECTION ...just double-checked my info and it was the "FACTORY ORDER NUMBER" ...not the "Line-set" number ...that Studebaker's Vernon, CA Plant wrote on the cowl. Will post an example of the cowl marking and the corresponding Production Order here ...as soon as I learn how<G>

[rockne10]

My '53 C was South Bend assembled. It has a yellow 5. I think it might have identified the line worker who completed or inspected that portion of the assembly.

[Welcome]

Below, the "PRODUCTION ORDER" along with corresponding "FACTORY ORDER NUMBER" Studebaker's Vernon, CA Plant marked on the cowl of this '56 Golden Hawk.

[StudeRich]

In prior posts we have already determined that the LINE NUMBER was grease penciled on the firewall of South Bend Trucks, verified by the Production order and the number on the Bellhousing, to mate the correct Engine, and Truck.

The South Bend Cars have the Model code: 64V-J8 etc. on the outboard side of the left frame rail, I think the Line Number, maybe Serial Number follows, I'll have to check one of my 5 SB '64's.

And the Line Number will be UNDER the paint on the firewall.

[8E45E]

Hamilton cars often had other markings, both under the paint, and on it. The color of the car is near the wiper motor under the paint, but texture of the grease pencil can still be made out in the paint. Other information such as solex glass and the date also may appear after the car was painted as well.





Craig

[Welcome]

[Mike Sal]

My '56 President Classic, which was built in California, also has a black grease pencil number on the pass. side, like in Ron's photo above. I'll have to go over to the shop to remember the actual number.....I'll post it later.
Mike Sal

[tsenecal]

The "Rush" on my car looks like it was written with a silver sharpie of some sort. It doesn't look like a grease pencil. Not sure what was available in 1960 for markers. It seems to be very permanent. I plan to take a picture of it before reassembly.

[56GH]

My former 56J (S/N 6031654) that was assembled in South Bend was marked "JK7" with a grease pencil on the firewall. It had been painted over by a previous owner but it could be plainly seen so I went over it with a new grease pencil. I always assumed it had simply something to do with the fact it was 56J-K7.