Hey Bill, Are you sure about the 'SO'? The reason I ask is that on 1957 Data Plate, there is an SO/FO entry, which is FOSO on the '58 Plate. This is blank on all 57-8 Imperials except for Export vehicles (Foreign Order) and Ghias (?Special Order). Interestingly, there is no such category on 1959 plates. Also, on 57 plates, there is an 'ITEM' category consisting of 4 digits; and on '58 plates, 'ITM' with 3 digits. These don't seem to be in sequence, or be related to date/serial#. Any ideas? Bob > [Original Message] > From: Bill Watson <wwatson@xxxxxxxxx> > To: <mailing-list@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx> > Date: 12/25/2002 5:28:54 PM > Subject: Re: IML: 1961 Shriner Imperia > > > "SO" actually stands for "Shipping Order". > > The "0902" is the date the car was scheduled to be built - September 02 > (1960) > > The "0902" plus "8517" form the Shipping Order Number. > > The VIN's sequential production number "102299" is very low - the 2,299th > car off the Warren Avenue assembly line. (1959 to 1961 Imperials were built > at the old Graham/DeSoto plant on Warren Avenue and not at Jefferson.) > > > Bill > Vancouver, BC