1940 51C Trim Tag Info and Other Numbers

[Guest Duesenberg]

I have been looking for some information on my 1940 51C. The trim tag info is as follows:

40 MOD. 51C

STYLE No 40-4529

BODY No 393

TRIM No 853 7

PAINT No 541

Here is a photo of the trim tag:

I have searched and found the paint code to be Carlsbad Black for 541, but I have found nothing for the trim code. The car currently has red interior. Also, I was wondering what the "7" indicates after the trim number, maybe the convertible top color??

The engine number is 54024II6 and the chassis plate is stamped with 13826494. I have read those can be correlated to a particular date range, but I am not sure if they give any evidence as to the actual build date of the car or whether the engine is original<O:p</O:p

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Any insight would be greatly appreciated.<O:p</O:p

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Thanks,<O:p</O:p

Matt<O:p</O:p

[Leif Holmberg]

Duesenberg,I`t dosen`t seems that you get any help from you neiburs,so here are some scan from my parts books.I can`t figure out what your #7 is for, but when looking in my parts book it started in 1942 about Conv.tops,and between 1942 and 1949 there was only black tops.And I can`t belive they have had no.7 when it only was Black and maybe Tan at that time.Maybe anyone with a body parts book 1928-1940s can help you,my book goes from 1928 to 1951.

Leif in Sweden.

[jvelde]

The engine number is from '40 - starting number was 5-3786214, and ending number was 5-4074858. I don't have any idea on the date of manufacture of the frame or engine to know if they were original to each other. You might check on Team Buick site www.teambuick.com and contact Dave Corbin who is the keeper of the production date records. He is also able to decipher the trim codes.

Good Luck, John V.

[papafarms]

Looking at my master body parts book of buick, the trim number of 853 says that it would of had a green leather, paint combination chart also states with the color black, your wheels can be black or optional dante red with a silver stripe, unable to determine what the number 7 stands for, hope some of this helps, I am in the process of restoring a 40 46c, long way as the body is still on the rotisserie, take care bob

[Guest 40 Buick 51c]

I went to your home and looked at the pictures, nice car. Just wanted to correct one of your facts listed, there were only 527 of the model 51c built. The 51c and 56c were mid year releases, there fore there was not a full years production. Not sure what the 7 designates, haven't seen that one before. Just curious, are you selling it or keeping it?

[Guest Duesenberg]

Thanks for all the info and help. Too bad it doesn't still have the green interior. That would be a very exciting color combination.

Yes, 40 Buick 51C, I am selling the car. I have my eye on a 1960 Cadillac convertible and unfortunately I cannot keep both cars. I have read different quantities, but I obtained the 1,351 figure from The Standard Catalog of Buick.