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Member
Posts: 40
| Fellow Mopar Friends,
I am trying to decode the data plate on my 1959 Imperial, but there are no indications of which letters and numbers refer to the paint and interior codes. Can anyone help me with this?
Thanks,
Rex |
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Expert
Posts: 2490
Location: Kansas City, KS | A photo of your data plate would be helpful. No one can decode it without seeing it. Adding a list of known options on your car will also help.
This will decode the VIN
http://www.imperialclub.com/registry/vin_decode.htm#1959
This will help with exterior colors and upholstery
http://www.imperialclub.com/Yr/1959/59Databook/Cover.htm
The only 2 threads I could find on here that show any option codes
http://forwardlook.net/forums/forums/thread-view.asp?tid=52076
http://forwardlook.net/forums/forums/thread-view.asp?tid=56162
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Member
Posts: 40
| Thanks so much for the help. I was trying to figure out the location of the paint code on the data plate, and one of the threads you sent me showed me where it is. Thank you so much. This car seems originally to have been ordered with no radio, but without the broadcast sheet, I don't think I can prove that. |
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Expert
Posts: 2490
Location: Kansas City, KS | From what I understand, 1959 is an oddball year for codes and not much interchanges with other years so there isn't much info out there for them.
Fortunately the popularity of '59 Imperials has increased in recent years so some of you '59 owners should be able to pool info and get better info posted online.
You can order the IBM punch card (if available) from Chrysler Historical to prove the radio delete without having the broadcast sheet. |
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Expert
Posts: 1506
Location: Colo Spgs | Hola Rexc
To not have a Radio - you must have a MY1-L Imperial "Custom".
Here are two 1959 Imperial Division Brochures:
... http://www.lov2xlr8.no/brochures/mopar/59impe/59impe.html,
... http://www.lov2xlr8.no/brochures/chrysler/59im1/59im1.html,
Please look for The Appointments of a 1959 MY1-L Imperial "Custom" and then look at what was offered as options to that car.
http://www.imperialclub.com/Yr/1959/Accessories/Accessory01.jpg
http://www.imperialclub.com/Yr/1959/Accessories/Accessory02.jpg
http://www.imperialclub.com/Yr/1959/Accessories/Accessory03.jpg
http://www.imperialclub.com/Yr/1959/FactsAndFigures.htm
http://www.imperialclub.com/Yr/1959/LargeChips/index.htm
Rodger and Gabby
COS
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Expert
Posts: 1819
Location: Vancouver, BC |
Radios were optional in all Imperial models - Custom, Crown and LeBaron. But, naturally, you could not get the basic radio used in the lower priced cars, only the upper radio models.
http://www.imperialclub.com/Yr/1959/59Pocket/Page05-06-big.jpg
http://www.imperialclub.com/Yr/1959/59Prestige/Page22-big.jpg
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Expert
Posts: 1506
Location: Colo Spgs | Hola Yo'al
True a Radio was an option with all five 1959 MoPar Divisions. The one Imperial Division car that is Number one with a Radio Delete is
the "Custom". This is why I stated MY1- L.
Rodger and Gabby
COS
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Member
Posts: 40
| Thank you all for this additional information. At one time someone ordered the MSRP sheet with all the options on this car from CHS, and no radio is listed among those options. I do not have a copy of the punch card. Also, while the car now has a correct radio, it does not have the foot switch, power antenna or rear seat speaker, and there is no evidence these were ever with this car. In fact, the manual aftermarket antenna is mounted forward of the fender splash guard, several inches off from the factory spot. This is all odd because this is a LeBaron with just about every other conceivable option on it.
I am now wondering if someone can help me with the paint code? This Imperial was painted black long, long ago but was originally code M, Oxford Grey. However, the paint code on the data plate is MMV, and I am unsure what that means. It does have the Silvercrest Laundau roof, but the V corresponds to a blue shade on the paint chips page. I would have expected MMM as the code.
I would also love to figure out what some of the other codes on the data plate mean and am posting a photo of same.
Thanks,
Rex |
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Member
Posts: 40
| Thank you all for this additional information. At one time someone ordered the MSRP sheet with all the options on this car from CHS, and no radio is listed among those options. I do not have a copy of the punch card. Also, while the car now has a correct radio, it does not have the foot switch, power antenna or rear seat speaker, and there is no evidence these were ever with this car. In fact, the manual aftermarket antenna is mounted forward of the fender splash guard, several inches off from the factory spot. This is all odd because this is a LeBaron with just about every other conceivable option on it.
I am now wondering if someone can help me with the paint code? This Imperial was painted black long, long ago but was originally code M, Oxford Grey. However, the paint code on the data plate is MMV, and I am unsure what that means. It does have the Silvercrest Laundau roof, but the V corresponds to a blue shade on the paint chips page. I would have expected MMM as the code.
I would also love to figure out what some of the other codes on the data plate mean and will try to post a photo.
Thanks,
Rex |
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Expert
Posts: 1819
Location: Vancouver, BC |
No radio is not odd. Back in those days cars without radios was not uncommon, especially if you lived in an area where radio reception was poor. Why spend money on something you couldn't use? And some people just did not like a radio in their car - such as my father. I grew up riding around in cars with a radio cover plate on the instrument panel instead of a radio.
Actually, there is no V on the 1959 colour list. If you check the V on the list you have there should be an asterisk or dagger beside the V with a notation down below that the V was a 1958 Spring colour, Bimini Blue. Spring colours were shown on the following year's chart as the colours were released after that year's chart was issued. I suspect the V actually means the car has the Silvercrest Landau roof. The plates, and also the anodized aluminum Sportone on lesser Mopar makes, were shown on the paint scheme code to show what was painted or installed.
Thanks,
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Extreme Veteran
Posts: 440
Location: Vermont | The V is for the Landau roof. My 59 is TTV for Ruby body, Ruby Roof and Landau roof. I do not have the stainless steel section on my car so I'm not sure how that would be denoted on the data plate. |
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Member
Posts: 40
| Thanks to both of you for the helpful information. I am going to try once more to attach a photo of the data plate to this email so that I can perhaps decipher what some of the other options codes are. This Le Baron has: front a/c, mirror-matic, electric locks, rear defogger, slivercrest landau roof, hood ornament and auto pilot among the options. I am not sure about the differential. Code 531 for 2.93 to 1 is listed on MSRP.
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