My '71 ain't a '71...or is it?
- Thread starter Righty Tighty
- Start date
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moparmat2000
Well-Known Member
You guys all missed the mark. Your shooting in the dark with a shotgun. The last 6 digits of the dash vin are supposed to match the 6 digits stamped in the trunk drip rail, and on the radiator top support. Usually an antifreeze sticker covers these on the radiator support. Also those last 6 numbers in your dash vin need to match the last 6 digits in the data plate on the fender. They started stamping in the sequence numbers (last 6 ) in 1969 His dash vin does not match the trunk drip rail sequence number. The dash vin and body are from 2 different cars.
I never found the numbers in the trunk, didn’t want to pull up the weatherstripping.
moparmat2000
Well-Known Member
I am assuming your second pic shown here is the trunk rail. Last 6 are sequence number. This needs to match the vin. The data plate circled area will be the cars entire vin. Scrape the junk off it to read the numbers.
420 Built Apr 20
I see what looks like the correct vin on the fender tag (under the blob in the lower right) I don't believe we saw the radiator support and the trunk lip numbers did we? Point them out if we did.
the second pic is not mine, it was posted by another member trying to give an example of the trunk numbers.
moparmat2000
Well-Known Member
305694 on trunk rail does not match 253391 on vin tag. These numbers should match. The B9 on the drip rail denoted 1969 model year and body manufactured at Dodge Main plant in Hamtramick much.
moparmat2000
Well-Known Member
Oh. Ok. Scrape the junk off that dataplate. Make sure those numbers match your dash vin.
moparmat2000
Well-Known Member
70 up the body sequence number on dusters ended up being stamped in the rear package tray sheetmetal. Not sure if they did that with darts starting in 1970.
Vin partial on radiator support is on the top of the support, drivers side, under an antifreeze instructions decal.
Vin partial on radiator support is on the top of the support, drivers side, under an antifreeze instructions decal.
moparmat2000
Well-Known Member
You can also feel the underside of the trunk rail on the drivers side until you feel a 8 bumps all lined up. Those will be the numbers. Just peel the weatherstrip back in that area to check.
What post number are you seeing this?
moparmat2000
Well-Known Member
Went through this with a friend wanting to buy a 74 duster 360. Seller had a title for dash vin, car seemed a little off, so I looked at the rad support numbers and data plate numbers they matched each other, but did not match the dash vin. I pulled my friend aside and told him, it could be anything why these numbers dont match up, but none of it good I can assure you. Walk away, find another duster you like
moparmat2000
Well-Known Member
He told me drip rail numbers were someone else's as an example as to what to look for.
OK. So far the fender tag and dash VIN match. (as long as the numbers under the goop on the fender tag are good) LOL
We won't know about the rest until the OP does some more digging.
Alaskan_TA
Well-Known Member
It's not us, it's you. ;-)
Assuming is not any good, go back & read it all again please?
The trunk number is not his, it was posted by another member as an example of what to look for.
It's still a 71, the body is absolutely a 71.
So I think it's a legit car that got an engine change at one point because that was something that happened a lot in the old days.
So I think it's a legit car that got an engine change at one point because that was something that happened a lot in the old days.
moparmat2000
Well-Known Member
Alaskan TA post #56, #61 and #63 please
Thought this would be as good an opportunity as any to clean up the fender tag! So yes, it does match. Where exactly on the radiator support would it be? I see a few random numbers, but definitely not the last 6 of the VIN.
Alaskan_TA
Well-Known Member
The number can be on the top or on the engine side of the radiator support.
Anywhere from near the battery to about the center of the radiator.
Occasionally they are found under the antifreeze sticker.
You will be looking for a number followed by a letter & then 6 more numbers with a space after the first number, they likely start with R1 in your case.
(edited to fix a typo & diction)
Anywhere from near the battery to about the center of the radiator.
Occasionally they are found under the antifreeze sticker.
You will be looking for a number followed by a letter & then 6 more numbers with a space after the first number, they likely start with R1 in your case.
(edited to fix a typo & diction)
Last edited:
Matt that’s not the OP’s trunk gutter number.
His VIN matches his fender tag, the other pictures are body part stampings not partial VIN’s. He hasn’t posted the partial from the trunk or the radiator support.
Alaskan_TA is right on so far. There’s nothing to suggest this car is anything other than a ‘71.
Alaskan_TA
Well-Known Member
Thanks, but......
I have to say that Rani knows the 1971 details, she knows those details where I do not.
She is spot on in her observations here.
Yup, I agree. With both of you. It’s a ‘71 with a ‘73 engine.
Vin rivets look right. The fender tag matches. Side markers are ‘71. It has the ‘71 vapor separator tube (present on both my ‘71 darts as well as my ‘72 challenger, but it was built 8/71 before the tank changeover). Interior appears original and all matches a ‘71, A/C vents, door panels, the works.
Some of that stuff can obviously be changed, but if someone was changing a ‘73 over to a ‘71 they did EVERYTHING. Which isn’t easy. I’ve done a lot of work to make my ‘74 look like a ‘71, and still have more to do, but there will always be tell tale stuff. And all that stuff on the OP’s car looks right. To me anyway.
moparmat2000
Well-Known Member
I thought printed a retraction in post #67. But I am guessing nobody read it. Yes I know the number stampings he posted were body number stampings and not a vin partial. I was trying to help him locate his by telling him where to look for it. I know what the body numbers are supposed to look like and where they are typically located. I have no dog in this hunt.
How about checking the numbers on the 904 transmission down by the pan rail. They should help identify what year and car that is supposed to fit.
I am thinking that is the original 904, so those numbers should help tie this whole car all together.
Everything I am seeing here is 71 car with a 73 engine.
I am thinking that is the original 904, so those numbers should help tie this whole car all together.
Everything I am seeing here is 71 car with a 73 engine.
moparmat2000
Well-Known Member
The ones I have found are 8 digits. In his case R was the assembly plant. 1 for the year 1971, last 6 being vin sequence in his case 253391. So he would be looking for R1 253391 stamped in radiator support, and on trunk drip rail.
By the way, I like your car. Doesn't really matter if the engine was swapped or this part or that part was changed.
That's a fricken sexy car that would look sweet going down the road.
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