Since 1928 Ford has kept track with an ingenious ordered numbering system for their parts.
One of the first areas of interest I had with Ford Motor Co. was its parts numbering system. Starting with the 1928 Model A, a system was created that divided each area of the vehicle (both cars and trucks) into sections, eventually growing into sub-sections and even sub-sub-sections. Then, with a pattern of prefixes, one could tell when these parts were first put into production. Next was a suffix that would narrow down the exact application and, for really specific items (such as soft trim and the like), a secondary suffix could be employed.
Developed in the late 1920s, this basic part numbering system is still in use today, and skilled Ford parts people can tell at a glance just what and where a certain part fits using the part number. Try as I might, I have looked at both General Motors and Chrysler Corp. part numbers and, while fans of those cars might know a specific part number or a series of them, finding a part number they are not familiar with will send them running to parts books. Meanwhile, a Ford parts person will have a good, basic idea of what they are holding in their hands by the code on the box.
