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Hola Ashley
When I first saw your Body Number Plate - my mind "lit up" and I reached for
my S-11 Parts List Book. Your car is not an 1946 to 1948 S-11.
Use this link to get something of "an hint" ... http://www.lov2xlr8.no/desoto.html
FltSgt@outlook.com
Ashley,
I believe your car is a 1953 S-16 Firedome Eight Desoto which was built in LA. The paint code 365 is for Ceramic Yellow paint. I don't see a trim code 384 for the 53 DeSotos. The data plate on your firewall gives information on when and where your car was built and how it was equipped. Below is my best interpretation of the information on your tag:
Model T = S-16 Firedome
Body 35 = door sedan
Paint 365 = Ceramic Yellow
SFONO LA-7 = Los Angeles built
SCHED 99 = built on the 99th production day for the 53's at LA
Body NO 25575 = No. assigned to your car's 4 door body
TR 5 = Tip-toe shift with fluid torque drive transmission
HR 3 = Model 600 Heater
SG-1 = Solex Glass
Mac
Is the Body number the same as the vin number? I'm wanting to register it in Alabama and I have to have the vin number to do so. There is a place where there use to be a sticker on the door but you can't tell what's on it so I can't tell if it would be the same.
The VIN on your car should be stamped on a metal tag and fastened on the left front door hinge pillar. Your VIN is the same as your serial number, and these numbers ranged from 64008001 to 64015691 for LA built 1953 Firedomes. If your VIN is preceded by S-16, this would be part of your VIN. If your tag is missing it will be difficult to determine your VIN.
This is a link to an ebay auction for a Detroit built 1953 Desoto which has a picture of the serial number (VIN) tag on the left front door hinge pillar: http://www.ebay.com/itm/DeSoto-STANDARD ... 1703185144
Mac
Ashley,
In your first picture, you can see the holes where your VIN tag was once attached. The second picture shows the remains of an oil change and lube sticker which was a common place to put these to record the mileage at the last service.
Is there any evidence that your car was ever ceramic yellow as was coded on your data plate?
Mac