How do you determine the build date of your Buick?

[1957buickjim]

I am trying to find out how to determine the build date of my 1957 Buick. The tag has a Body Sequence number of 6 3859. The door tag has a D1077343. I do know that it was built at Kansas City, but trying to decipher the build date. Is there a cheat sheet or formula to determine it? Thanks.

[38Buick 80C]

Is there a cheat sheet or formula to determine it? Thanks.

YES, my formula is is this. Dave Corbin = Date of my Buick! :D:D

In all seriousness. Dave is a more than a bit a Buick statistical genius and has developed (through years of research) a method to determine approximate build dates of early Buicks. I'm not sure how "new" his data goes. I can say with the pre-war cars there is some sequentiality to it so knowing the first and last serial number of the year you can ball park it to some degree but Dave has studied Buick numbers and using statisics been able to estimate Buick production dates down to about the week.

[hotrod1940]

I agree. Dave said I might have the last 53 Skylark made, as there was 7 made in October of 53 and mine was one of those 7. Unless of course someone can come up with a later date.

He said that Buick revised the system in 54 so you may have an easier time with the numbers.

Anyhow, he is the man.

[1957buickjim]

Thanks Brian! I guess I will wait and hope that Dave C. sees this thread!

[38Buick 80C]

Thanks Brian! I guess I will wait and hope that Dave C. sees this thread!

His contact info is in the BCA Roster. He's a Texan!

[TG57Roadmaster]

Jim,

The door tag has a D1077343

Is this the complete number? Seems like it should start with a 4, then D, then 4 for Kansas City...

The door tag contains the ID that tells you the plant where the car was assembled:

4 (=Series 40), D (=1957), the third is the assembly plant;

1 = Flint,

2 = Southgate (CA),

3 = Linden (NJ),

4 = Kansas City,

5 = Wilmington,

6 = Atlanta,

7 = Framingham (MA)

8 = Arlington (TX),

The remaining digits are the sequential build number.

"Dr." Dave Corbin will certainly know more, but I was just curious about that number.

TG

Edited March 9, 2012 by TG57Roadmaster (see edit history)

[1957buickjim]

Sorry TG, I did forget the 4 off the front of the number. I was way wrong..It looks like it was built in Flint rather than KC. Thanks for the update so...4D1077343.

4 - Series 40

D - 1957

1 - Flint.

077343 - Build seqence number.

Thanks for that TG. That helps alot!

[WQ59B]

Lucked out with my '59: PA title listed original title date, and I found the frame date stamp- these were only about 5 weeks apart, so at least I can 'stake' the birthday month.