1955 Dodge Cowl Data Tags _Detroit plant - Some intrepretations
56D500boy
Posted 2022-01-10 7:51 PM (#618312)
Subject: 1955 Dodge Cowl Data Tags _Detroit plant - Some intrepretations



Expert 5K+

Posts: 9854
5000200020005001001001002525
Location: Lower Mainland BC
.
1955 Dodges did not have any cowl data tags until about May 26, 1955 to June 2, 1955, according to Mike Petersen in his book "1955 Dodge by the numbers" (pg. 88, Draft 82).

Here is a previously posted example which happens to be for a 1955 Dodge that was scheduled for a June 2nd, 1955 build:



According, again, to Mike Petersen's book, this example tag could be interpreted as:

WL 1 = As With Lancer trim (the swoopy side trim, typically seen on 1955 2dr Lancer Hardtops but was available as an option on other configurations)
(might be related to the SP code, see below).

AC = Air Conditioning from codes 330 or 337 where AC 0 = Standard AirTemp air conditioning; 337 = as in AC 7 = Deluxe AirTemp Air conditioning (this example has neither)

A = Accessory group, from the 1955 33n series of codes, according to Mike Petersen

SC = Miscellaneous outside equipment from the 41n 1955 codes, e.g. SC 2 = Code 412 = Windshield washer

BS = Stone Shields, last digit of 41n 1955 Codes where 421 = Stone shields and 422 = Stainless body sill mouldings (the example has neither)

B = Miscellaneous special equipment, last digit of the 1955 48n codes, e.g. 481 = fender skirts (this example has none)

SCHEDULE = the scheduled build date, June 02, 1955 in this example

15 002 = related to the order number details, nothing we can figure out 67 years later

BODY = 236 = Custom Royal Lancer 2 dr hardtop
Reference: http://www.forwardlook.net/forums/forums/thread-view.asp?tid=74414&...

Paint = 71 = 2 tone, Heather Rose upper and Sapphire White Lower
Reference: http://www.forwardlook.net/forums/forums/thread-view.asp?tid=76595&...

Trim = 436 = Black cloth, White Cordagrain (vinyl) and silver mylar interior
Reference: http://www.forwardlook.net/forums/forums/thread-view.asp?tid=70980&...

SP = Mike Petersen thinks that SP= Special Paint where, in this case SP 3 = from the 1955 Dodge code 293 = Tri-tone Body Colour with Jewell Black as the third colour. (Roof??)

Other 29n codes =

290 = Std Two-tone body colour
291 = Deluxe two-tone body colour where the hood, roof, B pillars and taillight housings are all the same colour
292 = Tri-tone Body Colour with Sapphire white as the third colour
293 = Tri-tone Body Colour with Jewell Black as the third colour.
294 = Tri-tone Body Colour with Cameo Red as the third colour.
295 = Lancer Type (swoopy) side moulding with 2 tone paint (on 2 and 4 door sedans and maybe wagons)
296 = Lancer type side moulding on 2 and 4 door sedans and wagons with Sapphire white as the third colour
297 = Lancer type side moulding on 2 and 4 door sedans and wagons with Jewell Black e as the third colour
298 = Lancer type side moulding on 2 and 4 door sedans and wagons with Cameo Red as the third colour

Going back to Mike Petersen's estimate as to the date the cowl data tags were first introduced on Detroit-built 1955 Dodges, I am guessing the break point is around 34960000 (ish)
base on this graph that I made from Mike's production number data:



Reference: http://www.forwardlook.net/forums/forums/thread-view.asp?tid=74854&...


Top of the page Bottom of the page
RDP
Posted 2022-01-11 11:53 AM (#618326 - in reply to #618312)
Subject: Re: 1955 Dodge Cowl Data Tags _Detroit plant - Some intrepretations



Elite Veteran

Posts: 1048
100025
Location: PL / EU
Here is another example. I don't remember where I found it, but this example includes IBM card which may to be helpful (or may not).



(Dodge 1955-1 (1).jpg)



(Dodge 1955-1 (2).jpg)



Attachments
----------------
Attachments Dodge 1955-1 (1).jpg (46KB - 136 downloads)
Attachments Dodge 1955-1 (2).jpg (107KB - 133 downloads)
Top of the page Bottom of the page
frwl
Posted 2022-01-11 2:42 PM (#618334 - in reply to #618312)
Subject: RE: 1955 Dodge Cowl Data Tags _Detroit plant - Some intrepretations


Expert

Posts: 1876
1000500100100100252525
.
Robert, you found it here:

http://www.forwardlook.net/forums/forums/thread-view.asp?tid=33818&...

or here:

http://www.forwardlook.net/forums/forums/thread-view.asp?tid=22715&...


Top of the page Bottom of the page
56D500boy
Posted 2022-01-11 3:02 PM (#618337 - in reply to #618326)
Subject: Re: 1955 Dodge Cowl Data Tags _Detroit plant - Some intrepretations



Expert 5K+

Posts: 9854
5000200020005001001001002525
Location: Lower Mainland BC
RDP - 2022-01-11 8:53 AM
Here is another example. I don't remember where I found it, but this example includes IBM card which may to be helpful (or may not).


Thanks very much Robert. It really helps, especially with the SP 3 code, i.e. from Column 29 = 3 = Special Body Equipment and Paint (as Mike Petersen had suggested). The one you post is very much for a car that is the twin of the car that I posted, except for the SC code.

And thanks Igor for the links to the Swedish poster's (55CRL's) threads. You can see the Pueblo (Arizona) on his car's IBM card.

55CRL - 2008-10-05 10:43 AM
I found the body plate in the glove box and I know where it have been mounted on the right side of the cowl but the screws are missing. Serial no is 34958038 and engine no is D553-86964 and seems to be matching numbers. It was brought from Arizona in the late 80s.


For comparison, here is a 1956 Detroit Dodge IBM card that used the same format as the 1955 Detroit Dodge IBM cards. I've annotated this one more than any other one that I have done. In addition to the Column 29 info, you can see on both cards (the 55 and the 56 cards) Column 33 has multiple hits that deal with the transmission, heater and radio options.



Edited by 56D500boy 2022-01-11 6:18 PM
Top of the page Bottom of the page
frwl
Posted 2022-01-14 2:57 PM (#618423 - in reply to #618312)
Subject: RE: 1955 Dodge Cowl Data Tags _Detroit plant - Some intrepretations


Expert

Posts: 1876
1000500100100100252525
.
Looks like that’s actual for 1955 Dodge cowl tags only:
Box 29 = Special Body Equipment and Paint = SP on the cowl tags;
Box 30 = Glass and Window Lifts = WL on the cowl tags… and does not mean a «With Lancer Trim»;
But it does not work for 1956 Dodge cowl tags…

I can guess for 1956:
1955 Dodge SP codes have moved to the first position of the 1956 Paint Codes (as a third color – 0, 1, 2, 3, or 4);
1956 Dodge SP code means MISC SPL EQUIP = Box 47x; SP2 = 472 = Undercoating, I guess;
In 1956 Dodge WL code occupies the Box 29x instead Box 30x as in 1955; (I saw WL8 and WL9 codes);
The codes in the Box 30 presents on the IBM card but does not stamp on the cowl tag…

http://www.forwardlook.net/forums/forums/thread-view.asp?tid=49491&...
Top of the page Bottom of the page
56D500boy
Posted 2022-01-14 4:55 PM (#618427 - in reply to #618423)
Subject: RE: 1955 Dodge Cowl Data Tags _Detroit plant - Some intrepretations



Expert 5K+

Posts: 9854
5000200020005001001001002525
Location: Lower Mainland BC
.
Igor: The IBM card that I annotated with improved lettering and the green lines to point at the punches was for a 1956 Dodge.
I only posted it here because I am too lazy to fully annotate an actual 1955 Detroit Dodge card. I was enough work to do that
1956 card.

However, based on a limited amount of 1955 Dodge IBM card info in Mike Petersen's book, I think that the 1956 Detroit Dodges used the same
IBM cards as the 1955 Detroit Dodges.

I probably have to agree with you that WL = window lifts, not "with Lancer Trim" that was Mike Petersen's guess. The Lancer trim option
(for non-1955 Lancer sedans, wagons, etc) is covered in that 29 column Special Body Equipment and Paint and SP on the cowl tags.
I think we agree on that one.

I am not going to discuss 1956 changes, if any, in this 1955 Dodge thread.



Edited by 56D500boy 2022-01-14 4:58 PM
Top of the page Bottom of the page
frwl
Posted 2022-01-15 7:56 AM (#618438 - in reply to #618312)
Subject: RE: 1955 Dodge Cowl Data Tags _Detroit plant - Some intrepretations


Expert

Posts: 1876
1000500100100100252525
.
1955 Dodge Optional Codes in Order




(1.jpg)



(2.jpg)



Attachments
----------------
Attachments 1.jpg (81KB - 141 downloads)
Attachments 2.jpg (27KB - 134 downloads)
Top of the page Bottom of the page
56D500boy
Posted 2022-01-15 1:09 PM (#618455 - in reply to #618438)
Subject: RE: 1955 Dodge Cowl Data Tags _Detroit plant - Some intrepretations



Expert 5K+

Posts: 9854
5000200020005001001001002525
Location: Lower Mainland BC
frwl - 2022-01-15 4:56 AM
1955 Dodge Optional Codes in Order


Great work Igor. Mike Petersen needs to see these pages.

Top of the page Bottom of the page