Bear
SILVER Star
Leafing through the Frame number lists on Pages D15- F15 of the 1986 Parts Catalog seems to show that the Honsya plant had begun using 800 and 900 series 6-digit frame numbers as early as 1980 for various *J40/42/43/45/46 models intended for export to Europe. Since none of the individual models ever exceeded total production over roughly 500,000 each, these 800 and 900 series frame numbers are just an assigned number, not indicating numbers produced, unlike lower numbers that indicate production to that point.
Interestingly, 900 series frame numbers were not used for Japanese production of the FJ40 nor the FJ45. The Venezuelan 900 frame numbers for their *J40s and *J45s must have come from an assigned block of numbers reserved for their exclusive use. Unknown if anyone has collected Venezuelan frame numbers, but actual numbers have been noted: FJ40-932699, FJ40-937317, FJ45-941550, FJ45-950117, etc.. Also unknown is if the Venezuelan production numbers were used sequentially, or if they ever ran out of their assigned numbers. Further complicating the issue are the other assembly plants--Brazil, South Africa, etc.--and what set of numbers they were authorized to avoid any duplication.
Somewhere in some file cabinet deep in the Toyota archives probably sits a complete listing of the corporation's 40 series production numbers worldwide. One would think it would be a matter of pride and achievement, but I understand the culture is forward-thinking, not reveling in past glory. Anybody here want to share the key for that file cabinet?! Just for a quick peek. (All these numbers are starting to give me a headache !)
Interestingly, 900 series frame numbers were not used for Japanese production of the FJ40 nor the FJ45. The Venezuelan 900 frame numbers for their *J40s and *J45s must have come from an assigned block of numbers reserved for their exclusive use. Unknown if anyone has collected Venezuelan frame numbers, but actual numbers have been noted: FJ40-932699, FJ40-937317, FJ45-941550, FJ45-950117, etc.. Also unknown is if the Venezuelan production numbers were used sequentially, or if they ever ran out of their assigned numbers. Further complicating the issue are the other assembly plants--Brazil, South Africa, etc.--and what set of numbers they were authorized to avoid any duplication.
Somewhere in some file cabinet deep in the Toyota archives probably sits a complete listing of the corporation's 40 series production numbers worldwide. One would think it would be a matter of pride and achievement, but I understand the culture is forward-thinking, not reveling in past glory. Anybody here want to share the key for that file cabinet?! Just for a quick peek. (All these numbers are starting to give me a headache !)
