73 Gold Duster 198 slant 6

[bills73duster]

I have a one owner car sence 1973.
The car has a 198 slant 6 with the snake skin landau top.
I did some research and supposedly the car wasn't suppose to have the snake skin top. That was reserved for the 318 V8 and the 225 skant 6.
Was this option on my car a mistake from the factory or a special order from the dealer?im putting together a information brochure for car shows. Any information will be greatly appreciated.

 

[RustyRatRod]

Can you post the fender tag?

 

[bills73duster]

 

[bills73duster]

E22 indicates a 198 engine

 

[bills73duster]

Here's the original build sheet.
As I said earlier. We bought the car new in 1973.

 

[Darter6]

Lucky it shows on the tag.Many didn't but were built.I worked at a Dodge dealer back then. There was allot of ''Never Made" going on.
Chrysler was in financial trouble back then. Workers did things,pulled things from the parts bin if there was a shortage.
Quality control was bad.
Most didn't know if they would have a job tomorrow.
Ever see a Dart or a Valiant with 11x2'' rear drum brakes ? They had a shortage of parts and used C body rear brakes on A bodies. Never say never when it comes to Ma Mopar.
I think it's cool,You may have a 1 of 1 or close to it.

 

[toolmanmike]

Here's the original build sheet.
As I said earlier. We bought the car new in 1973.

That's a window sticker and not a build sheet but very rare to have. Most window stickers didn't survive. They were removed by the clean up department and thrown away when the car was sold. Many build sheets are under the rear seat bottom springs, and other hiding places, and contain more information.

Do you have any close up photos of the top material?

 

[bills73duster]

Lucky it shows on the tag.Many didn't but were built.I worked at a Dodge dealer back then. There was allot of ''Never Made" going on.
Chrysler was in financial trouble back then. Workers did things,pulled things from the parts bin if there was a shortage.
Quality control was bad.
Most didn't know if they would have a job tomorrow.
Ever see a Dart or a Valiant with 11x2'' rear drum brakes ? They had a shortage of parts and used C body rear brakes on A bodies. Never say never when it comes to Ma Mopar.
I think it's cool,You may have a 1 of 1 or close to it.

I never expected THAT::
Are there any other resources
(Web sites) I can search for to your knowledge?
I deeply appreciate your input. It's going to be curious where this ends up.

 

[RustyRatRod]

View attachment 1716353242

Here you go. Try this.

1969-1974 Mopar Fender Tag Decoder

 

[bills73duster]

This is our first baby.

 

[RustyRatRod]

Great lookin car!

 

[bills73duster]

Great lookin car!

Again. Thanks for efforts and input.

 

[bills73duster]

Here's a pic of the top material.
When I did the ground up restoration. I purchased the material from classic industries. And they informed me that the material was NOS and it was the last example that was available. And. They said, according to their data base of available parts and accessories. That the car was a 1 of 100 produced. So. Evidently. There was some record of a "switch" from production information.
Being said. Was this a sales tactic or true. May never know.

 

[Hellrats]

Nice car! I love the color combination.

 

[bills73duster]

Nice car! I love the color combination.

Again. Thank you for your time!

 

[Darter6]

Was this a sales tactic or true. May never know.

True,I believe it was a use what ya have on hand.
As far as the 11x2'' brakes on a A body,I got into a dispute with a member years ago.
Some where on the net it was found.
Around 1974 there was a strike and they ran out of product.They used what they had.
Also another member that also worked at a dealer said that Salt Lake City had a fleet of Darts and Valiants and they serviced those cars. I got a rear, 8 1/4 from a 74 Valiant that had the 11x2'' brakes.

 

[vitamindart]

I almost bought a 71-72 duster with that snake skin looking half roof application on it. still wish I did. just wasnt in the cards at the time.

 

[RustyRatRod]

Here's a pic of the top material.
When I did the ground up restoration. I purchased the material from classic industries. And they informed me that the material was NOS and it was the last example that was available. And. They said, according to their data base of available parts and accessories. That the car was a 1 of 100 produced. So. Evidently. There was some record of a "switch" from production information.
Being said. Was this a sales tactic or true. May never know.View attachment 1716353354

That looks snakey!

 

[Hyper_pak]

Great looking Duster!
I like the window sticker, it might be easier to read than a Broadcast Sheet.
It shows what was paid for, maybe not the assembly details.
All though it doesn't show all the little details on a sheet.
But as some have said if there were part shortages, that would not be on either sheet.

 

[bills73duster]

That looks snakey!

I refer it as "snake skin" material. I've also heard
"Alligator" skin.
It's different no matter what's called. And evidently somewhat scarce.

 

[RustyRatRod]

I refer it as "snake skin" material. I've also heard
"Alligator" skin.
It's different no matter what's called. And evidently somewhat scarce.

Let's call it snake. I like it!

 

[bills73duster]

Let's call it snake. I like it!

Me to!

 

[slantsixdan]

Let's call it snake. I like it!

Arrrgh, snake! Snake! Ohhhhhh, it's a snaaaaaake…

 

[RustyRatRod]

Arrrgh, snake! Snake! Ohhhhhh, it's a snaaaaaake…

Where'd you come up with that? LMAO

 

[H22A4]

Nice Duster and extra special that it’s been in your family since new! As others have pointed out, what was installed on the line 50+ yrs ago might not be what was only available in the option/order sheets for the car line.

Quality control back then, when combined with financial contraints, also played a factor in what rolled out the door va what one could actually order.

Regardless your fender tag and window sticker/sheet confirm it came with that top. Keep the smile going and enjoy cruising around in the Duster!