1970 Cuda with Very High VIN (BS23H0B438707)

[Katfish]

It actually does make sense to have independent sequence numbers for EACH model.
The JH or BH specifies the model, so why not just have 1 to 70,000 for that model.
Then have 1 to 70,000 (or whatever max) for other models?
Sure would be easier to figure out where/when it came out.

[RzeroB]

P5X9 interior?? So uncommon that I had to look that one up to see what it looked like ...

[pschlosser]

It actually does make sense to have independent sequence numbers for EACH model.
The JH or BH specifies the model, so why not just have 1 to 70,000 for that model.
Then have 1 to 70,000 (or whatever max) for other models?
Sure would be easier to figure out where/when it came out.

Much of this is opinion and hearsay from talk at car shows I've collected in my head over the years:

The process of making a car begins with the order, like a dealer placing a sales order, the data gets fed into the computer at the plant (yea, even back in the 1970s on an IBM Mainframe), production is scheduled, and part availability is coordinated. 

Generally, cars going through the assembly line will be in sequential order, more or less.  So a separate set of numbers for each model might make things harder, not easier.

Scheduling becomes about the parts, when they are available, and batching similar cars (for those parts) together, to simplify and improve efficiency, and that has the greatest impact on WHEN a car is sent through production.  For this reason, the "scheduled production date" might be quite different than the actual date.  Sometimes it's early, sometimes it's late.

I understand the last 6-digits of the VIN number, aka the sequence number, is allocated late in the process, once the car enters production.  It is at this time, a given unibody frame, engine, transmission, and so forth, can be committed, assigned to a given car and stamped with the VIN.  The factory did NOT want a bunch of "already stamped and allocated" parts sitting around without cars to put them on.  All this "late allocation of sequence number" was important to maintain efficiency and floor space (not having to stack up parts already stamped)

Many things, like the printing of the broadcast sheet, dash VIN, door sticker, body code plate were managed by computer, and less prone to errors (in deviation)  But other stuff, like stamping the engine block, was a more manual process, and subject to a greater amount of error.

[MoparCarGuy]

A very nice seat upholstery option (P5) in X9-Black or K4-Burnt Orange.
Brochure and sales info showed P5 seats were only available on the Gran Coupe (BP) Barracudas.
I am sure that at this late in production the factory would either fill the dealer or customer order OR use the remaining seats in stock to get them out the door before the 1971 model year started on August 01, 1970.

[MoparCarGuy]

So to muddy the waters a bit more...

Notice Line 1 of the Broadcast Sheet has a SEQUENCE NUMBER, a VEHICLE ORDER NUMBER (VON), a VEHICLE IDENTIFICATION NUMBER, and VEHICLE DELIVER AND HANDLING information.
The VIN's last six digits are the SEQUENTIAL NUMBER and that is often called a Sequence Number even though the actual SEQUENCE NUMBER is an entirely different number. See the example below. Even more confusing, I know.
I would like to know if the Broadcast Sheet, Line 1, SEQUENCE NUMBER is the actual order the cars went down the assembly line and also is the first digit of said SEQUENCE NUMBER the actual Assembly Line 1?
We know Hamtramck had two Assembly Lines (1 and 2) as denoted on the Fender Tag (EN1 or EN2 or even END at times).
More questions arise but hopefully some experts will chime in.  Any info, Tavis? or @6bblgt ?

[6bblgt]

AWESOME 'cuda ... where to start

1970 model year Hamtramck, MI assembled:
233,157 Valiant/Duster
 17,963 Dart
 45,788 Barracuda
 67,126 Challenger
364,034 TOTAL in about 220 days of production (average 1,650 cars per day)
there were 2 assembly lines: EN1 (~500 cars per day) & EN2 (~1,150 cars per day) on fender tags
all have sequential "assigned VIN sequence numbers" from 0B100001 to ~0B444000 (plus ~25,000 KD "knock down" EXPORT cars without standard US style VIN numbers)

by the end of 1970 production all E-bodies were being assembled on Line #1 
the end of model year "build out" process had Plymouth E-bodies "SCHEDULED" Friday 710, Monday 720, Friday 724 & Thursday 730 but could've been completed on any day in July
plant changeover for the 1971 model year was scheduled to start Friday 731 (7/31/70)

[6bblgt]

the last batch (roughly 400 cars) of Plymouth E-body assigned VINs run from 0B4385xx to 0B4389xx

all the cars I have info on in this batch are either 340 'cudas or 318 Barracudas

the 1970 Hamtramck broadcast sheet upper left "SEQUENCE NUMBER" (also referred to as a "TRACK" number appears to be a sequential "job number")

these are 730 SPD 'cudas I have broadcast sheet info for:

1-103809 = BS23H0B438739 "In Plant/In Process" Friday 7/24/70
plus 1,792 cars
1-105591 = BS23H0B438615 "In Plant/In Process" Tuesday 7/28/70
plus 200 cars
1-105791 = BS23H0B438844 "In Plant/In Process" Tuesday 7/28/70
plus 968 cars
1-106759 = BS23H0B438932 "In Plant/In Process" Thursday 7/30/70

[6bblgt]

July '70 Dodge E-body production 3,300 units
July '70 Plymouth E-body production 2,521 units

the end of model year "build out" process had Plymouth E-bodies "SCHEDULED":
 Friday 710 ~300 cars
 Monday 720 ~400 cars
 Friday 724 ~900 cars
Thursday 730 ~400 cars

[6bblgt]

the P5X9 interior was announced "available on the 'cuda" mid-model year, but it is significantly RARE!!

[cuda hunter]

B @Bgendel

Does your cuda for sale have any factory documentation that came with it? Does it have a broadcast sheet?

[Bgendel]

@cuda hunter If anyone is interested in bidding on the car and wants more information can you give me a call at 516-644-0319. It is easier for me to talk on the phone than respond here. Thanks.

[RzeroB]

the P5X9 interior was announced "available on the 'cuda" mid-model year, but it is significantly RARE!!

Per your chart, P5X9 only accounted for 0.1%?? Yep, I'd say that's pretty RARE too!!

BTW Dan ... that's a pretty cool color matrix that you made!! You ROCK!!