Decoding and Documenting Charger VIN Plates

All Chrysler plants used a uniform vehicle identification number (VIN) on a
plate to register and track vehicles. The plate was located on the instrument
panel's left-hand side all three years and for all models and body styles.
This plate contains vital information about the car, including the model,
sub model,original engine,model year,assembly plant, and serial number.
A VIN can be used to determine the car's origin provided it matches the 
number on the fender tag and other components. The first four digits are 
considered the body number, and the VIN breaks down like this:

First Character: car line (Model)
Second Digit: price class (Submodel)
Third and Forth Digits: body stlye
Fifth Character: engine type and size
Sixth Digit: model year
Seventh Character: assembly plant
Eighth to Thirteenth Digits: serial number

1968-1970 Chargers first 4 digits are either:

1968-1969 Charger---XP29
1968-1970 Charger R/T---XS29
1969 Charger 500 and Daytona---XX29
1970 Charger---XH29
1970 Charger 500---XP29

The first letter (X) is the car model:
For example X=Charger    W=Coronet     R=Plymouth etc,etc,etc.......


The second letter (either P,S,X,H) is the price class:
For example P=Premium    S=Special(R/T) etc.....


The third and forth digits are the body style:
All 1968-1970 Charger Body Style #'s were 29
For example 29=two-door Charger    23=two-door-hardtop    27=convertible etc...

For example a 1968 Charger R/T would read:  XS29


Fifth character is the engine type and size:

1968:
318ci V-8                 F
383ci 2bl V-8 290hp       G
383ci 4bl V-8 330hp       G
383ci 4bl V-8 335hp       H
440ci 4bl V-8 375hp       L
426 Hemi 425hp            J


1969:
Same as above except for the new 440-6 pak 
440ci 3x2bl V-8 390hp     M


1970:
318ci V-8                 G
383ci 2bl V-8 290hp       L
383ci 4bl V-8 330hp       L
383ci 4bl V-8 335hp       N
440ci 4bl V-8 375hp       U
440ci 3x2bl 390hp         V
426 Hemi 425hp            R



The sixth digit is the model year:
1968=8
1969=9
1970=0



The seventh digit is where the car was assembled:
Lynch Road=A
Hamtrack=B
Los Angeles=E
St. Louis=G



The last six digits of the VIN is the serial number, all years begin at 100001.



Now that you've got that down lets decode a VIN number:

XS29L8B100001

This VIN says that this car is a 1968 Dodge Charger R/T with a 440-4bl in it
and was assembled at Hamtrack and is the first one off the line.
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Fender Tags:
All 1968-1971 Chrysler products used a fender tag that carries vital
information about the car. There are two different layouts, one used in 1968
and one used from 1969 on. Of the two the latter holds the most information
about the original accessories installed on the car. However, both styles
hold coded information about the original power-plant,transmission,exterior color,
and interior trim. Location varies, but fender tags are usually riveted or
attached with Phillips-head screws to the top of the left-hand inner fender,
but they might be on the right-hand inner fender to. To decode, the tags
must be read from left to right and from bottom to top with both styles.
I don't have the time or space to post every possible option that could be 
on the tag so I advise that you buy a Charger or Mopar B-body Red book to decode 
it all.


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Build Sheets:
Much as a house blueprint illustrates a customer's desires, a build sheet
is a blueprint of the original car owner's wants. And when it comes to 
researching what accessories and options were installed on your car,
the build sheet can be indispensable.


Location of the build sheet:
It can be found in a variety of locations, though it's usually under
the rear seat cushion. It is not uncommon if you don't find a build sheet
so don't worry. For help decoding the build sheet I would advise the same
thing as above, buy a Charger or Mopar B-body Red Book. 
They only cost around $15 and are worth it.





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