I'm new to the forum. 60 years old, ex mechanic, living in Tehachapi Ca. Joined the forum to seek some of the expert advice now and then as I dig into a well worn 1959 F100 I picked up from my father in law. I can't seem to find all the info online about the data tag. Hoping someone here can decipher it out for me. It has a 9 inch Ford axle underneath and what looks like the original Y-Block motor with a 4 barrel manifold. From what I can research, I wonder if it originally had a Dana axle. Thanks to the group. Serial: F10C9R38890. Color: DE, Date: 03F, Trans: A, Axle: 24 DSO: 8120
You can find the info you are looking for online in the LMC truck catalog their address is LMCTRUCK.com Just select the online catalog for the 59 F100 and a few pages in shows you what the vin. number means.
My manuals are currently in storage while we're moving but Bill (aka "Number Dummy") over at Ford Truck Enthusiasts (https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/index.php) should be able to decode your data plate. I don't think there is any specific way to decode it but the fact that it has a DSO (Domestic Special Order) number means it was some kind of special build. My understanding is that it was a bit like the "COPO" number on later Chevies.