E-Bodies.org Cuda Challenger Forum

Technical Shop => VIN, Fender Tag, Build Sheet & Date Codes => Topic started by: Topcat on April 27, 2017, 07:09:36 PM

Title: Door Vin number Decal: Vertical or Horizontal?
Post by: Topcat on April 27, 2017, 07:09:36 PM
I've seen some door Vin decals being the majority placed horizontal.

Then I have seen some vertical.

It would be interesting to see if there was a pattern when the vertical one's were done the most.

L.A. vs. Hamtrack?
Months and years on cars built with the vertical.
Challenger vs. Barracuda

There had to be some pattern when it was done this way or why. 
Title: Re: Door Vin number Decal: Vertical or Horizontal?
Post by: Cuda Cody on April 27, 2017, 07:28:27 PM
I've wondered the same thing,  I've seen them both ways too.  I think the confusion is the engineering drawing specs it out to be vertical.  But it does makes sense for it to be that way because the numbers read horizontal.  So (this is only a guess) I'm thinking some workers said "screw it, I putting it on so it can be read".... and others might be thinking "I'm going to install it just like they told me to". 

I think this is the Factory Document on how to install it:

http://www.e-bodies.org/Resources/Engineering_Illustrations/Decal_VIN_Certification.pdf
Title: Re: Door Vin number Decal: Vertical or Horizontal?
Post by: 71GranCoupe on April 27, 2017, 07:36:27 PM
Quote from: Cuda Cody on April 27, 2017, 07:28:27 PM
I've wondered the same thing,  I've seen them both ways too.  I think the confusion is the engineering drawing specs it out to be vertical.  But it does makes sense for it to be that way because the numbers read horizontal.  So (this is only a guess) I'm thinking some workers said "screw it, I putting it on so it can be read".... and others might be thinking "I'm going to install it just like they told me to". 

I think this is the Factory Document on how to install it:

http://www.e-bodies.org/Resources/Engineering_Illustrations/Decal_VIN_Certification.pdf

I seen the install from the link above and then had to look a few door tags I have saved, all the E/LA cars had them vertical and the Hamtramck had then horizontal.  :idea:  Would be interesting to see others that have a bunch saved to see how the placement compares to either "B" or "E" plants.  :dunno:
Title: Re: Door Vin number Decal: Vertical or Horizontal?
Post by: RUNCHARGER on April 27, 2017, 08:59:21 PM
My last two. Ones a B plant, Others an E, this matches what Gran Coupe said. These are both factory applied.
Title: Re: Door Vin number Decal: Vertical or Horizontal?
Post by: 70/6chall on April 27, 2017, 09:39:18 PM
If this will help your search any, my very early LA built SL6 70 Challenger, SPD Aug. 18, '69 Monday, and a possible first day of production build of #113 off the assy. line. It is located in the vertical position on the door.
Title: Re: Door Vin number Decal: Vertical or Horizontal?
Post by: Cuda Cody on April 27, 2017, 10:30:24 PM
Seems like LA cars go one way and the Hamtramck cars go the other way.   :thinking:
Title: Re: Door Vin number Decal: Vertical or Horizontal?
Post by: Cuda Cody on April 27, 2017, 10:37:39 PM
More...
Title: Re: Door Vin number Decal: Vertical or Horizontal?
Post by: mopar jack on April 28, 2017, 07:22:38 AM
I know it's not an E-body but a 71 B-body from the LA plant and it's vertical.
Title: Re: Door Vin number Decal: Vertical or Horizontal?
Post by: erik70rt on April 28, 2017, 07:25:55 AM
I've never had one from Hamtramck that was vertical.  Has anyone seen a vertical one from there?
Title: Re: Door Vin number Decal: Vertical or Horizontal?
Post by: CamasCuda on April 28, 2017, 07:36:25 AM
picture before tear down, with many repaints it appears, in its travels.
Title: Re: Door Vin number Decal: Vertical or Horizontal?
Post by: 6bblgt on April 28, 2017, 08:55:25 AM
I wonder if it's a space issue? 
1970 Hamtramck built A & E-bodies are they both horizontal?
1970 LA built A, B & E-bodies are they all vertical? is the B-body door jamb too narrow to place the decal horizontally?

Title: Re: Door Vin number Decal: Vertical or Horizontal?
Post by: Cuda Cody on April 28, 2017, 09:40:09 AM
I don't have very much experience with A or B bodies, but looking over more E-Bodies I've inspected and there does seems to be a pattern of LA = sideways, and Detroit (Hamtramck) = normal.
Title: Re: Door Vin number Decal: Vertical or Horizontal?
Post by: HP_Cuda on April 28, 2017, 10:37:13 AM
When I researched this before I applied my door vin from ECS, I found that it was plant specific as you guys are stating.

LA - Vertical
Hammy - Horizontal

I'm sure they may be one offs that do not follow this rule but it could be assembly line error or maybe someone(new owner) repainted and didn't know and just applied it any way they wanted. JMHO.
Title: Re: Door Vin number Decal: Vertical or Horizontal?
Post by: Blake@diyhemi.com on April 28, 2017, 10:47:48 AM
My Oct 69 built LA car has a vertical door sticker


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Title: Re: Door Vin number Decal: Vertical or Horizontal?
Post by: Topcat on April 28, 2017, 06:47:51 PM
Quote from: HP_Cuda on April 28, 2017, 10:37:13 AM
When I researched this before I applied my door vin from ECS, I found that it was plant specific as you guys are stating.

LA - Vertical
Hammy - Horizontal


Intentionally done?

Perhaps it was an easy way for dealerships to easily spot it's origin when it came in for repairs or PDI?
Title: Re: Door Vin number Decal: Vertical or Horizontal?
Post by: HP_Cuda on April 28, 2017, 11:47:00 PM

Seems as the plants didn't follow the same rule book from corporate.

Could be an easy way for a dealership to know which plant the car came from.


Quote from: Topcat on April 28, 2017, 06:47:51 PM
Quote from: HP_Cuda on April 28, 2017, 10:37:13 AM
When I researched this before I applied my door vin from ECS, I found that it was plant specific as you guys are stating.

LA - Vertical
Hammy - Horizontal


Intentionally done?

Perhaps it was an easy way for dealerships to easily spot it's origin when it came in for repairs or PDI?
Title: Re: Door Vin number Decal: Vertical or Horizontal?
Post by: cataclysm80 on April 30, 2017, 10:35:26 PM
Now that's something I hadn't noticed before.

I don't suppose anyone has a picture of how it should be positioned on a 1970 St. Louis B body?
Title: Re: Door Vin number Decal: Vertical or Horizontal?
Post by: 6bblgt on April 30, 2017, 10:53:00 PM
 :takepicture: & I'd bet that stamped arrow isn't on a '69 door
Title: Re: Door Vin number Decal: Vertical or Horizontal?
Post by: cataclysm80 on April 30, 2017, 11:08:58 PM
Quote from: 6bblgt on April 30, 2017, 10:53:00 PM
:takepicture: & I'd bet that stamped arrow isn't on a '69 door


Thanks Dan!
It will be time to put my new decal on soon.   :D

We have several doors laying around, I'll look at a few.
Title: Re: Door Vin number Decal: Vertical or Horizontal?
Post by: cataclysm80 on April 30, 2017, 11:14:21 PM
Quote from: cataclysm80 on April 30, 2017, 10:35:26 PM
Now that's something I hadn't noticed before.

I went to save this info in my car notes, and when I got to the right spot, it was already there, along with several pics of Hamtramck & LA door stickers.
Apparently I  HAD  noticed it before.   :rofl:

So glad I started writing stuff down!
Title: Re: Door Vin number Decal: Vertical or Horizontal?
Post by: blown motor on May 01, 2017, 05:42:14 AM
Wow! Love that Runner.
Title: Re: Door Vin number Decal: Vertical or Horizontal?
Post by: chryslerfan on October 11, 2017, 08:23:49 PM
https://www.smokymountaintraders.com/vehicles/92/1971-plymouth-cuda

https://www.smokymountaintraders.com/vehicles/310/1971-dodge-challenger-r-t

I don't profess to be an expert.   Just sharing two links for Hamtramck cars at one dealer that I am looking at.   One door sticker is vertical and the other is horizontal.   Am I correct that the horizontal one is a  bit too low compared to come examples you have offered here or is height not that consistent from one car to the other.

Thank you for your thoughts as I am looking at both cars but likely will not consider the blue Cuda since it was born with blue interior (now black) and the exhaust manifolds look like they have surface rust or something

Neither of these cars have mufflers either.   They must be muffler challenged in TN
Title: Re: Door Vin number Decal: Vertical or Horizontal?
Post by: anlauto on October 12, 2017, 04:08:09 AM
Both the above cars are restored as well, so who knows if the decal locations are original  :dunno:
Title: Re: Door Vin number Decal: Vertical or Horizontal?
Post by: ToxicWolf on October 12, 2017, 09:16:02 AM
The one on my 70 challenger was original and it was horizontal.   :thinking:
Title: Re: Door Vin number Decal: Vertical or Horizontal?
Post by: VCODE on October 12, 2017, 09:38:23 AM
Hawaii Cuda SPD 418
This is original and high on the door
Bob  :alan2cents:
Title: Re: Door Vin number Decal: Vertical or Horizontal?
Post by: MikeMikeMike on October 12, 2017, 11:10:29 AM
I also found that in 71, hard tops had the sticker high on the door while verts got it lower due to an extra bumper in the area for the verts.  :popcorn:
Title: Re: Door Vin number Decal: Vertical or Horizontal?
Post by: Harry Pro on October 17, 2017, 03:08:17 AM
Quote from: 70/6chall on April 27, 2017, 09:39:18 PM
If this will help your search any, my very early LA built SL6 70 Challenger, SPD Aug. 18, '69 Monday, and a possible first day of production build of #113 off the assy. line. It is located in the vertical position on the door.

My car has a weird one my fender tag has spd 815 yet my door sticker says 9/69 both I believe are original Is this a miss print on the fender tag ? Even though the sequence number seems to suit the September door sticker any help would be appreciated.
Title: Re: Door Vin number Decal: Vertical or Horizontal?
Post by: anlauto on October 17, 2017, 04:50:34 AM
Common occurrence for a car to actually be built later then the scheduled build date.  :alan2cents:
Title: Re: Door Vin number Decal: Vertical or Horizontal?
Post by: 6bblgt on October 17, 2017, 11:30:26 AM
Quote from: Harry Pro on October 17, 2017, 03:08:17 AM
My car has a weird one my fender tag has spd 815 yet my door sticker says 9/69 both I believe are original Is this a miss print on the fender tag ? Even though the sequence number seems to suit the September door sticker any help would be appreciated.

QuoteCommon occurrence for a car to actually be built later then the scheduled build date.

:iagree: the "SCHEDULED" production date can be days or weeks earlier or later than the "ACTUAL" production date.
@Harry Pro (https://forum.e-bodies.org/mlist/harry-pro_774) can you share a pic of your fender tag?

anyone else have a  fender tag with a "SCHEDULED" month that's different than the month typed on the door sticker?
Title: Re: Door Vin number Decal: Vertical or Horizontal?
Post by: Harry Pro on October 17, 2017, 02:00:44 PM
Quote from: 6bblgt on October 17, 2017, 11:30:26 AM
Quote from: Harry Pro on October 17, 2017, 03:08:17 AM
My car has a weird one my fender tag has spd 815 yet my door sticker says 9/69 both I believe are original Is this a miss print on the fender tag ? Even though the sequence number seems to suit the September door sticker any help would be appreciated.

QuoteCommon occurrence for a car to actually be built later then the scheduled build date.

:iagree: the "SCHEDULED" production date can be days or weeks earlier or later than the "ACTUAL" production date.
@Harry Pro (https://forum.e-bodies.org/mlist/harry-pro_774) can you share a pic of your fender tag?

Here I my fender tag

anyone else have a  fender tag with a "SCHEDULED" month that's different than the month typed on the door sticker?

Title: Re: Door Vin number Decal: Vertical or Horizontal?
Post by: Harry Pro on February 20, 2018, 04:31:18 AM
Firstly I would like to thank 6bblgt for PM me with info on and about my fender tag.  Even though it wasn't good news to hear that it is a reproduction tag with errors. He mentioned that the VON number was a guess, the SPD 815 was before production had started in LA on the 8/18/69, the N95 code missing off the tag even though I have the emissions tube in the trunk and the mirror codes. I had also spoken with someone else and they wouldn't tell what was wrong with the tag but that it was just wrong.

So since receiving this news I had spoken to the previous owner who imported into Australia from the US and asked about the tag which he said came with the car. So that's all I can say on that.

So the problem I have now is how do I know or have proof of the extra cost options on my car? As 6bblgt asked without a broadcast sheet to verify.

So here is what I know from the VIN RT 440 4bbl built in LA. The dash VIN was on the dash, the door sticker is there, the radiator support VIN is there but I cant locate the cowl vin but I haven't taken off any paint off either and the engine has the partial VIN stamped on it.

-So here's what I think I know?
-the colour from pre restoration photos to FY1.
-Automatic trans from the floor shifter slap stick in console with brackets on floor hump.
-Bucket seats that came with car and floor pan holes suit. Colour is unknown.
-Air con car car because of dash vents, firewall holes, tinted glass and AC heater box.
-The vinyl top had the holes and moldings were there. Obviously the colour is unknown.
-The interior door trims, kick panels and rear trim panels are all black but they could have been put in when ever.
-I dont know if anyone has had there door trims come with the SE carpet strip with a red reflector going across the bottom which also had MB Findlay industries July 11 stamped on them.
-The V6X rt stripe ? the pre restoration photos shows no stripe and RT and Challenger script badges with stud holes.
-the leaf springs are HD bias 24 & 34 numbers on the small leaf.
-the rear end is 8 3/4 with 11 inch finned drum brakes.
-the 4 torque boxes are there.
-the K frame, tosion bars, lower control arms and sway bar all seem to be correct when we restored them with part nubers and date codes.

Thats all i cant think of for the minute i would love to hear all your feed back, help and support on this dissapointing situation and by the minor miracle chance someone out there might have my buidsheet and fender tag.

thanks again Harry Pro.
Title: Re: Door Vin number Decal: Vertical or Horizontal?
Post by: anlauto on February 20, 2018, 04:40:47 AM
Funny...It's a reproduction tag and there's no N96 shaker hood ? :haha:.....

Just kidding....it looks like someone was not trying to upgrade your car, just rather make an accurate tag with the little information and knowledge they had...
Title: Re: Door Vin number Decal: Vertical or Horizontal?
Post by: Cuda Cody on February 20, 2018, 09:20:10 AM
There are ways for some options that would be on the tag to be proven based on the vehicle.  If you want to start a thread and post as many photos as you can there are some people that can recognize holes and option codes that would have been there.  Like Alan said, it might be that someone tried to make a tag based on what was known and not to add options.  Tag or no tag, if you have the original dash VIN then that will tell you that it's a real RT with a factory 440 engine.  That's the most important.   :alan2cents:
Title: Re: Door Vin number Decal: Vertical or Horizontal?
Post by: Harry Pro on February 20, 2018, 11:54:07 AM
Thanks Cody
Here's a few photos of the dash VIN and the engine . I think what you and Anlauto are saying could be right.
Title: Re: Door Vin number Decal: Vertical or Horizontal?
Post by: Harry Pro on February 20, 2018, 12:00:12 PM
I don't know what happened with the photos I will try again
Title: Re: Door Vin number Decal: Vertical or Horizontal?
Post by: Cuda Cody on February 20, 2018, 12:31:57 PM
What is the casting date on your engine block?  And do you have a photo of the front pad?
Title: Re: Door Vin number Decal: Vertical or Horizontal?
Post by: Harry Pro on February 20, 2018, 01:23:19 PM
I have a photo of the casting date but can't find one of the front pad but can get it this weekend. What I remember that was on the front pad was and not in order F 440 HP and maybe a date of 8-20 but I will know this weekend. Thanks again
Title: Re: Door Vin number Decal: Vertical or Horizontal?
Post by: cataclysm80 on February 26, 2018, 09:40:53 AM
I think the door panel carpet was also included with leather interior.  Still doesn't mean the panels are original to the car though.

Do your pre-restoration pics show a bumblebee stripe?

With your VIN being that low, I think 11 inch rear brakes means that you had 4 wheel drum brakes.  Then again, brake upgrades are common, so someone could have installed the 11 brakes.
Title: Re: Door Vin number Decal: Vertical or Horizontal?
Post by: Harry Pro on February 26, 2018, 02:55:10 PM
Thanks cataclysm80

Maybe it had leather interior but I won't know without the build sheet. Definitely no bumble bee stripe from what I can tell and I have a photo of the rear end from the previous owner when they removed tell me what you think? Thanks again
Title: Re: Door Vin number Decal: Vertical or Horizontal?
Post by: cataclysm80 on February 27, 2018, 07:53:57 PM
It would be a stripe delete car then.

I don't see any red paint on the drums.  Probably not Rallyes or Magnum 500s unless the drums have been replaced.
How many miles were in the car?

The pinion snubber means something.  Not every car had those.
Title: Re: Door Vin number Decal: Vertical or Horizontal?
Post by: Morty426 on April 03, 2018, 01:34:55 AM
Quote from: Topcat on April 28, 2017, 06:47:51 PM
Quote from: HP_Cuda on April 28, 2017, 10:37:13 AM
When I researched this before I applied my door vin from ECS, I found that it was plant specific as you guys are stating.

LA - Vertical
Hammy - Horizontal


Intentionally done?

Perhaps it was an easy way for dealerships to easily spot it's origin when it came in for repairs or PDI?

Wouldn't the dealer just read the VIN letter if they needed that info?