Looking at a 68 GTS.......

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3rdLM23P9

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…..tomorrow. It is a 340 auto car, but won't see the Vin tag until then. I have a '69 GTS and have decoded that Vin tag; are here significant differences between the two years for the codes on a Vin tag?

IE: E55 = 340; D32 = auto trans; C20 = build date?

Thanks.
 
You said VIN tag, but the codes you mention are 1969 up fender tags codes.

1968 & back fender tags are all in the ABC format.

And actual build days were not recorded back then.
 
You said VIN tag, but the codes you mention are 1969 up fender tags codes.

1968 & back fender tags are all in the ABC format.

And actual build days were not recorded back then.

Fender tag, yes, misspoke. What does a '68 fender tag look like - not familiar with the "ABC" format, and just want to be able to read/decipher it when I see the tag.

Thanks.
 
You can see the basic layout at http://www.hamtramck-historical.com/images/TSBs/1968/D68-25-1 page5.jpg

In addition to that though, you also need to know what the sales codes are.

I can read '69 up tags like a well written page.

1968 back tags give me a headache.

Great, got the codes from a GTS Registry link, so can at least confirm engine, trans, suregrip, and a few others.

1968DartInvoice.jpg
 
You said VIN tag, but the codes you mention are 1969 up fender tags codes.

1968 & back fender tags are all in the ABC format.

And actual build days were not recorded back then.

My GTS has a build date of December 27, 1967. My block was cast June 67
 
68' is not going to have the vin on the fender tag. if the owner doesn't know where to find the sequence order number, and hasn't got it already to look at, be ready to do some digging. sometimes you can use an inspection mirror to read it from the back side, or take a rubbing with dark chalk on paper. that's the only way you know the fender tag matches the body. the best thing is have the build sheet that matches everything.
"1968 A bodies: Have the S.O. number on the upper portion of the driver's side radiator core support and trunk opening lip under the weather stripping"

my valiant's is under the driver side trunk WS just forward of the curved portion
 
Also, sequence numbers are stamped on the back of the block, driver side where the block and bell meet. The number is also stamped on the bell.

Here’s my original tag

4F85C970-B708-4226-9754-843BC223ED10.jpeg
 
Also, sequence numbers are stamped on the back of the block, driver side where the block and bell meet. The number is also stamped on the bell.

Here’s my original tag

View attachment 1715385520

So John, yours is 383, 4 speed, built on 12/28, sequence #171005. Sequence number on block/bell best visible from top or up from underneath (with a mirror)? I assume there is a Vin tag on the dash as well?
 
So John, yours is 383, 4 speed, built on 12/28, sequence #171005. Sequence number on block/bell best visible from top or up from underneath (with a mirror)? I assume there is a Vin tag on the dash as well?

383 auto
 
So John, yours is 383, 4 speed, built on 12/28, sequence #171005. Sequence number on block/bell best visible from top or up from underneath (with a mirror)? I assume there is a Vin tag on the dash as well?

From the top looking down from the driver side
 
I always believed that in 68 the VIN was stamped on the top/ rear of the block, not the SO Number. My 68 Charger R/T has the VIN stamped there and not the SO Number. Is there a difference between A bodies and B bodies in regards to this?
 
I always believed that in 68 the VIN was stamped on the top/ rear of the block, not the SO Number. My 68 Charger R/T has the VIN stamped there and not the SO Number. Is there a difference between A bodies and B bodies in regards to this?
i thought there was a difference between early and late production, in that early cars didn't have anything stamped on the engine and later cars, as they started to implement the 69' standards, began to get stampings. and they were vins
 
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Oh, I see "5" is TF.

Yep, originally a Amarillo Texas car. Ordered by the first owner. His sister drove him to pick the car up at the dealer. There was a Blue GTS on the showroom floor and she bought that on the spot. When I was restoring the car I assembled all of the history. Talked with the former owners sister who told me some cool stories. Unfortunately she has passed as well as her brother back in 2000.
 
Yep, originally a Amarillo Texas car. Ordered by the first owner. His sister drove him to pick the car up at the dealer. There was a Blue GTS on the showroom floor and she bought that on the spot. When I was restoring the car I assembled all of the history. Talked with the former owners sister who told me some cool stories. Unfortunately she has passed as well as her brother back in 2000.

Neat story! Unfortunately I know next to nothing about the history of my Swinger nor GTS.

I did look at the 68 GTS today - passed on it. It was a drag car with narrowed rear end, SS springs, headers, battery in trunk. No fender tag, could see, but not read the number on the block, and the number on the radiator support must have been the sequence number, as it did not match the vin on the dash.

Oh well, maybe next time.
 
Neat story! Unfortunately I know next to nothing about the history of my Swinger nor GTS.

I did look at the 68 GTS today - passed on it. It was a drag car with narrowed rear end, SS springs, headers, battery in trunk. No fender tag, could see, but not read the number on the block, and the number on the radiator support must have been the sequence number, as it did not match the vin on the dash.

Oh well, maybe next time.


Mine was street raced from day one. First thing the owner did was cut the fender well and installed headers. That was the only thing that was actually cut. I have pictures of the car from circa 1978.
 
68 had the 1 year only lower dash pad extension under the switchgear. Cool for laying a spare Marlboro on back in the 70's.:)
 
I've always been under the impression that the back of the block/top of the bell stampings started halfway through the '68 model year.

So, if you have an early build car, you may not have the stamps.


Remember Ma is famous for halfway through the run changes, like the 1969.5 440-6 cars and paint offerings, spring specials, etc.
 
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