Decoding the VIN
A close look at the VIN reveals the origins.
F26: F250 4WD
Y: 352 V-8, the biggest engine offered that year.
C: The Oakville Ontario Canada Ford Truck Assembly Plant.
820126: 1966, assembled February 1966.
120: 120" Wheelbase.
B: Caribbean Turquoise.
F260: F250 4WD, 6,800 lbs. GVWR
C: Medium Green Crush Vinyl & Medium Green Cody Pattern Woven Plastic
81: 81B Custom Cab.
A: New Process 435 4-Speed Manual Transmission.
B5: Dana 60 Rear Axle / 4.56-1 / Limited Slip / 5,200 lbs. Rear Axle Capacity.
06800: 6,800 lbs. Gross Vehicle Weight Rating.
172: 172 net HP @ 4,000 RPM
72: San Jose (NorCal) Ford District Sales Office, from where the original selling dealer ordered the truck.
2036: Domestic Special Order number. The truck was a special order, not "bought off the lot".
Many thanks to NumberDummy, a retired Ford Parts Manage, from ford-trucks.com for helping us break down the VIN.
Y: 352 V-8, the biggest engine offered that year.
C: The Oakville Ontario Canada Ford Truck Assembly Plant.
820126: 1966, assembled February 1966.
120: 120" Wheelbase.
B: Caribbean Turquoise.
F260: F250 4WD, 6,800 lbs. GVWR
C: Medium Green Crush Vinyl & Medium Green Cody Pattern Woven Plastic
81: 81B Custom Cab.
A: New Process 435 4-Speed Manual Transmission.
B5: Dana 60 Rear Axle / 4.56-1 / Limited Slip / 5,200 lbs. Rear Axle Capacity.
06800: 6,800 lbs. Gross Vehicle Weight Rating.
172: 172 net HP @ 4,000 RPM
72: San Jose (NorCal) Ford District Sales Office, from where the original selling dealer ordered the truck.
2036: Domestic Special Order number. The truck was a special order, not "bought off the lot".
Many thanks to NumberDummy, a retired Ford Parts Manage, from ford-trucks.com for helping us break down the VIN.
Going back to February, 1966
We start our story in February, 1966, when our truck was born.
Our truck first saw the light of day in Oakville, Ontario, Canada, on the shores of Lake Ontario, and not far from Niagra Falls.
It was then modified by Crown in Ohio, as a Special Order from the original customer, who we believe to be the Forest Service.
Crown made all the crew cab modifications for Ford on special order trucks for various government agencies. You can tell it's a Crown modification because Ford didn't make Crew Cabs in 1966, and the external hinges show it to be a Crown modification. In our case, the two back doors were cut down front doors, including plugs where the front door locks would have gone, and the bed was simply cut down to accommodate the crew-cab.
The visual effect of the modification is nothing short of stunning -- balanced, poised, while showing strength and a willingness to get to work.
Our truck first saw the light of day in Oakville, Ontario, Canada, on the shores of Lake Ontario, and not far from Niagra Falls.
It was then modified by Crown in Ohio, as a Special Order from the original customer, who we believe to be the Forest Service.
Crown made all the crew cab modifications for Ford on special order trucks for various government agencies. You can tell it's a Crown modification because Ford didn't make Crew Cabs in 1966, and the external hinges show it to be a Crown modification. In our case, the two back doors were cut down front doors, including plugs where the front door locks would have gone, and the bed was simply cut down to accommodate the crew-cab.
The visual effect of the modification is nothing short of stunning -- balanced, poised, while showing strength and a willingness to get to work.