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Is there yet a definitive guide to decoding? Or do we still rely on good samaritans ?
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   Forward Look Technical Discussions -> Fender/VIN Tag and Broadcast Sheet DecodingMessage format
 
fivespeedv8
Posted 2018-06-11 9:39 PM (#565051)
Subject: Is there yet a definitive guide to decoding? Or do we still rely on good samaritans ?


Regular

Posts: 68
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Location: Seven Valleys, PA

1959 Dodge

I've got my build card from Chrysler historical, and finally cleaned up the trim plate so I could read it (it had 2 layers of paint), and I'd like to figure out if they "match."

The late great Neil Vedder helped me decode the punched card several years ago, but back then he did not (yet?) have substantial info on '59 LA cars. 

Wondering if there is a source for do-it-yourself decoding, or if someone here has the know how?

 

 

 





(dataplatecopy.jpg)



(buildcard.jpg)



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Attachments dataplatecopy.jpg (225KB - 365 downloads)
Attachments buildcard.jpg (233KB - 362 downloads)
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56D500boy
Posted 2018-06-11 10:59 PM (#565058 - in reply to #565051)
Subject: RE: Is there yet a definitive guide to decoding? Or do we still rely on good samaritans ?



Expert 5K+

Posts: 9855
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Location: Lower Mainland BC
I think it's more relying on the magicians who conjure up the decoding results out of thin air.

Or so it seems to me.



Edited by 56D500boy 2018-06-11 11:00 PM
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LD3 Greg
Posted 2018-06-12 12:02 AM (#565064 - in reply to #565051)
Subject: RE: Is there yet a definitive guide to decoding? Or do we still rely on good samaritans ?


Expert

Posts: 1906
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Location: Ontario, Canada
fivespeedv8 - 2018-06-11 9:39 PM

1959 Dodge

I've got my build card from Chrysler historical, and finally cleaned up the trim plate so I could read it (it had 2 layers of paint), and I'd like to figure out if they "match."

The late great Neil Vedder helped me decode the punched card several years ago, but back then he did not (yet?) have substantial info on '59 LA cars. 

Wondering if there is a source for do-it-yourself decoding, or if someone here has the know how?

 

 

 



I can't help with any LA built cars. Neil didn't share any of that info with me.

Greg
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fivespeedv8
Posted 2018-06-12 8:51 AM (#565076 - in reply to #565051)
Subject: Re: Is there yet a definitive guide to decoding? Or do we still rely on good samaritans ?


Regular

Posts: 68
2525
Location: Seven Valleys, PA
Hmmm... And when you pass on, will you also chose to take your all knowledge with you? I wish I knew something of value that I could leave behind for posterity.
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LD3 Greg
Posted 2018-06-13 11:35 PM (#565127 - in reply to #565076)
Subject: Re: Is there yet a definitive guide to decoding? Or do we still rely on good samaritans ?


Expert

Posts: 1906
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Location: Ontario, Canada
fivespeedv8 - 2018-06-12 8:51 AM

Hmmm... And when you pass on, will you also chose to take your all knowledge with you? I wish I knew something of value that I could leave behind for posterity.


Hmmm---- No worry. You'll find out!!

Greg
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LD3 Greg
Posted 2018-06-16 12:20 AM (#565193 - in reply to #565058)
Subject: RE: Is there yet a definitive guide to decoding? Or do we still rely on good samaritans ?


Expert

Posts: 1906
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Location: Ontario, Canada
If it came out of thin air, someone as simple as you could have figured it out!!

Or so it seems to me.

Greg
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RDP
Posted 2018-06-17 4:42 PM (#565261 - in reply to #565051)
Subject: Re: Is there yet a definitive guide to decoding? Or do we still rely on good samaritans ?



Elite Veteran

Posts: 1048
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Location: PL / EU
Ok, I'm not a specialist, but it seems easy.

SO 0226 - schedule order date february 26 1959
NO 5139 - schedule number
MODEL MD2L - Coronet series
BT 312 - body type 2dr HT
PT PN4 - paint Coral / Rose Qartz
TR 949 - trim
SP 043 - special order?

EW4 - electric window (power window 304 in the build card)
M2 3 - ?
M5 1 - ? no idea, but many LA build cars have this number

now build card
transmission 293 - torqueflite
power seat 303
power window 304
its highly optioned Coronet - accessory group 2,4,5,7. easy to check
swivel seat, dimmer switch, hood ornament... et cetera


anyone knows what it condition code? and the last digit in this line T 7?

Lou, what is your dealer's name?



(accessory group.JPG)



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Attachments accessory group.JPG (89KB - 345 downloads)
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Chrycoman
Posted 2018-06-17 11:35 PM (#565272 - in reply to #565261)
Subject: Re: Is there yet a definitive guide to decoding? Or do we still rely on good samaritans ?



Expert

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Location: Vancouver, BC

Attached is the IBM card sorted out - almost.

Cannot make out what 466 is on the IBM card. Do not have a 466 listed on my 1959 sales codes.

Also not sure what "Condition" is.

The "7" in the top right corner with the "T" below is for "Tracer". And I show #7 as "Car OK'd".

Also not sure of 658 - Distributor.

For your data plate -

EW4 - 4 :
Only have 304 - Power Windows

M2 - 3 :
293 - Torqueflite
303 - Power Steering
373 - Power Package (4-bbl carb and dual exhaust for 326-cid V8 engine)

M5 - 1 :
361 - Swivel Seat
391 - Auto Headlamp Dimmer
501 - Undercoating







(1959- M314 102722 IBM.jpg)



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Attachments 1959- M314 102722 IBM.jpg (247KB - 390 downloads)
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Chrycoman
Posted 2018-06-18 2:41 AM (#565277 - in reply to #565051)
Subject: Re: Is there yet a definitive guide to decoding? Or do we still rely on good samaritans ?



Expert

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Location: Vancouver, BC

466 - Solex Glass with shaded windshield

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RDP
Posted 2018-06-18 8:27 AM (#565282 - in reply to #565051)
Subject: Re: Is there yet a definitive guide to decoding? Or do we still rely on good samaritans ?



Elite Veteran

Posts: 1048
100025
Location: PL / EU
Bill, thanks for explaining the "tracer" point.
Probably "condition 7" is related to "tracer 7". My card also has two "7".
Very interesting, the SG area on the body plate is empty, but on the build card is selected. In my car is the same.
M5 1 - maybe swivel seat or undercoating, my car has no dimmer.

which means a single "3" behind the car serial number?

I can not read: foam ??? / padded sun visor.
Do you know what is written there?



(3.JPG)



(491.JPG)



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Attachments 3.JPG (248KB - 350 downloads)
Attachments 491.JPG (59KB - 349 downloads)
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hondaman1974
Posted 2018-06-18 1:22 PM (#565291 - in reply to #565051)
Subject: Re: Is there yet a definitive guide to decoding? Or do we still rely on good samaritans ?


Veteran

Posts: 186
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Location: Northern Illinois
hi, sorry to jump in on this thread, just have a quick question. when you sent your info to Chrysler historical did you pay the 55 dollar fee? I had read an earlier thread and stated if you send money they return it. I have a 55 custom royal im getting ready to send for ibm card. thanks in advance!!!
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RDP
Posted 2018-06-18 2:14 PM (#565292 - in reply to #565291)
Subject: Re: Is there yet a definitive guide to decoding? Or do we still rely on good samaritans ?



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Location: PL / EU
hondaman1974 - 2018-06-18 7:22 PM

when you sent your info to Chrysler historical did you pay the 55 dollar fee?


They sent absolutely free
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hondaman1974
Posted 2018-06-18 3:09 PM (#565294 - in reply to #565051)
Subject: Re: Is there yet a definitive guide to decoding? Or do we still rely on good samaritans ?


Veteran

Posts: 186
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Location: Northern Illinois
thanks rdp!!!!!
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fivespeedv8
Posted 2018-06-26 3:40 PM (#565659 - in reply to #565051)
Subject: Re: Is there yet a definitive guide to decoding? Or do we still rely on good samaritans ?


Regular

Posts: 68
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Location: Seven Valleys, PA

Thanks for the replies - I think this will be helpful for future people who search the site As for the fee - I paid for mine about 10 years ago. They sent me the wrong card (they transposed soem number in the VIN) but corrected it later.

GREG: Sorry if I offended you - my statement was to be interpreted as tongue in cheek. I think you and others have the knowledge that plenty of us would PAY FOR if you had time to record it! That's extra value over and above the actual effort you put forth working on actual cars. I merely find that, on top of the grief of losing people we know, its extra saddening that we lose valuable information with their passing, whther it be expertise in a knowledge area, or family history, etc...  Its sortof like losing the library at Alexandria.



Edited by fivespeedv8 2018-06-26 4:47 PM
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fivespeedv8
Posted 2018-06-26 4:45 PM (#565668 - in reply to #565051)
Subject: Re: Is there yet a definitive guide to decoding? Or do we still rely on good samaritans ?


Regular

Posts: 68
2525
Location: Seven Valleys, PA

Bill and Robert - In case you are updating any "database" of code information (like dealer codes), here is what I know about my my 1959 Dodge which you decoded above that verifies most of the info you posted (also adding some info in case it helps)

1) The dealer was Bill Breck Dodge, in Tucson, AZ (new dealership as of 1959 model year). This car was supposedly ordered as one of the demonstrators, so I wonder if any of those oddball codes indicate that.

2) The upholstery and door panels are black and red, in what I beleive is called the Custom Coronet pattern (black snowflake cloth with red and black vinyl.

3) It is indeed rose quartz and coral in the specified arrangement

4) It does have torqueflite

5) It does have power seat, power windows, radio/heater. Not sure what is covered under convenience/appearance/safety. It has a two-tone red/black steering wheel with the padded insert. I think it originally had a pafdded dash. It has a map light over the radio.

6) It has the swivel seat, "power package" (In fact, it is a 383 D500 car, which Neil confirmed a few years ago is accurate, even though the Chrysler Historical Society interpreted the engine code 3 as a 361), auto headlight dimmer, outside right mirror and hood ornament.

7) it has undercoating and I thnk the 3.30:1 axle ratio is correct as well.

The previous owner also said it had (oddly) dog dish hubcaps instead of full wheel covers. He bought it around 1968 when the original owner brought it back to the dealer to trade in.

From: Eastern Sierra Adjustment Svc Neil

Subject: Re: Neil, help with build sheet decoding?

Date: February 22, 2013 at 2:45:59 AM EST

To: Lou

Thanks for the PM, Lou! Actually....the D500 option IS code "3", for the single 4-bbl engine. A "4" would confirm the Super D500 option. If the CHS said that the "3" was for the 361 engine, they're wrong about that! The "Power Package" is the 4-bbl carb and dual exhausts on the 361 and on the 326 V/8 engines.



Edited by fivespeedv8 2018-06-26 4:52 PM
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Chromegirl
Posted 2018-08-19 1:57 AM (#568622 - in reply to #565051)
Subject: Re: Is there yet a definitive guide to decoding? Or do we still rely on good samaritans ?


Member

Posts: 42
25
So.... if i have my id tag.... for a 58 dodge custom royal that was right hand drive imported to australia...... how hard would it be to get all the info for it?
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miquelonbrad
Posted 2018-08-23 9:55 AM (#568898 - in reply to #565051)
Subject: Re: Is there yet a definitive guide to decoding? Or do we still rely on good samaritans ?



Expert

Posts: 1737
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Location: Hay Lakes, Alberta, Canada
Does your tag say where your CR was built? If it was manufactured in the U.S., then you *should* be able to get info on it. If it was built in Canada, no build cards exist anymore.
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Chromegirl
Posted 2018-08-24 9:38 PM (#568974 - in reply to #565051)
Subject: Re: Is there yet a definitive guide to decoding? Or do we still rely on good samaritans ?


Member

Posts: 42
25
It has the letter A so im guessing it was a Hamtranck build
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Chrycoman
Posted 2018-08-24 10:45 PM (#568977 - in reply to #565668)
Subject: Re: Is there yet a definitive guide to decoding? Or do we still rely on good samaritans ?



Expert

Posts: 1819
1000500100100100
Location: Vancouver, BC
fivespeedv8 - 2018-06-26 4:45 PM

Bill and Robert - In case you are updating any "database" of code information (like dealer codes), here is what I know about my my 1959 Dodge which you decoded above that verifies most of the info you posted (also adding some info in case it helps)

1) The dealer was Bill Breck Dodge, in Tucson, AZ (new dealership as of 1959 model year). This car was supposedly ordered as one of the demonstrators, so I wonder if any of those oddball codes indicate that.

2) The upholstery and door panels are black and red, in what I beleive is called the Custom Coronet pattern (black snowflake cloth with red and black vinyl.

3) It is indeed rose quartz and coral in the specified arrangement

4) It does have torqueflite

5) It does have power seat, power windows, radio/heater. Not sure what is covered under convenience/appearance/safety. It has a two-tone red/black steering wheel with the padded insert. I think it originally had a pafdded dash. It has a map light over the radio.

6) It has the swivel seat, "power package" (In fact, it is a 383 D500 car, which Neil confirmed a few years ago is accurate, even though the Chrysler Historical Society interpreted the engine code 3 as a 361), auto headlight dimmer, outside right mirror and hood ornament.

7) it has undercoating and I thnk the 3.30:1 axle ratio is correct as well.

The previous owner also said it had (oddly) dog dish hubcaps instead of full wheel covers. He bought it around 1968 when the original owner brought it back to the dealer to trade in.

From: Eastern Sierra Adjustment Svc Neil

Subject: Re: Neil, help with build sheet decoding?

Date: February 22, 2013 at 2:45:59 AM EST

To: Lou

Thanks for the PM, Lou! Actually....the D500 option IS code "3", for the single 4-bbl engine. A "4" would confirm the Super D500 option. If the CHS said that the "3" was for the 361 engine, they're wrong about that! The "Power Package" is the 4-bbl carb and dual exhausts on the 361 and on the 326 V/8 engines.



Thanks for the additional info. Fills a few more holes.

If you are wondering how your car was ordered, if you have sales code 602 it was a Sold Car - the dealer had a buyer that ordered the car. 604 was Special Order.
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Chrycoman
Posted 2018-08-24 11:24 PM (#568978 - in reply to #568974)
Subject: Re: Is there yet a definitive guide to decoding? Or do we still rely on good samaritans ?



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Chromegirl - 2018-08-24 9:38 PM

It has the letter A so im guessing it was a Hamtranck build



The Vehicle No. tag was attached to the left front door hinge post and that will tell you where your car is built. The body tag does not have info on where the car was built, except for Los Angeles in the late 1950's, which had WCD-LA stamped on the tag.

According to Vehicle No. the prefix for the Hamtramck plant -
LD1- (Coronet 6)
LD2- (Coronet V8, Royal V8)
LD3- (Custom Royal V8)
The other assembly plants added a letter for the plant - N - Newark, Delaware, L - Los Angeles, California, W - Windsor, Ontario.

As your car was exported to Australia, it would have been built at Hamtramck. CKD (Complete Knocked Down - An unassembled car packed into a large wooden crate - basically a for real Revell or AMT car kit) cars were also sourced at Hamtamck. But the CKD units do not normally have a US body tag and Chrysler Historical does not have the IBM card. Assembled cars shipped overseas may have their IBM cards on file with FCH.

You will need to send your request for the IBM card to Chrysler Historical along with the Vehicle No. and a copy of the registration / proof of ownership. They no longer attach a letter with information they have dug up and thus no longer charge for the copy of the IBM card. (At least in North America).

Once you get it, post it on this forum and various members will have at it. We all love getting photos of cars, body tags, VIN tags and stuff.

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Chromegirl
Posted 2018-08-25 4:25 AM (#568990 - in reply to #565051)
Subject: Re: Is there yet a definitive guide to decoding? Or do we still rely on good samaritans ?


Member

Posts: 42
25
Ok. Cool. Car hasnt been registered since 1992 so....ive only got hand written receipt for the car. I will look up the chrysler historical. Ta.
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Chromegirl
Posted 2018-08-25 10:46 PM (#569013 - in reply to #565051)
Subject: Re: Is there yet a definitive guide to decoding? Or do we still rely on good samaritans ?


Member

Posts: 42
25
Does anyone have the email address for the Chrysler Historical people. I've googled and I can find sales, and media and all sorts of other things, but no general enquiries or vin email????
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matte
Posted 2018-08-28 8:05 PM (#569176 - in reply to #569013)
Subject: Re: Is there yet a definitive guide to decoding? Or do we still rely on good samaritans ?



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Location: Sydney, Australia
Chromegirl - 2018-08-25 10:46 PM

Does anyone have the email address for the Chrysler Historical people. I've googled and I can find sales, and media and all sorts of other things, but no general enquiries or vin email????






(Screen Shot 2018-08-29 at 10.32.05 am.png)



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Attachments Screen Shot 2018-08-29 at 10.32.05 am.png (125KB - 306 downloads)
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Chromegirl
Posted 2018-08-29 6:12 AM (#569205 - in reply to #565051)
Subject: Re: Is there yet a definitive guide to decoding? Or do we still rely on good samaritans ?


Member

Posts: 42
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Yeah. That email doesnt work. Ive written a letter. But the argument is..... where was my car built...... was it built in US n exported..... or.....
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