Road Runner Nest

Hi,

I have a quick decode question. I have searched back through the forum threads, but don't seem to be able to find the answer. I am restoring my '72 SSP to original factory Spinnaker White and Argent Silver (thanks for all your input - helped a lot) and am trying to nail down some final details. I don't have the build sheet (for some reason it was not stuck under the seat of my car) so I am going on the fender tag. My car was bought un-messed with 20 plus years ago and was a survivor except for a quick mediocre respray applied at some point (the white and silver tints do not quite match original paint in the door jambs / trunk).

I have looked at the decoders on-line but there are some conflicts.

My tag says E63, which is coded as a 400-2V. The car came with a spreadbore manifold and Carter TQ 4-BBL The manifold had not been removed since manufacture (all the factory paint overspray was intact / no cracks / removed replaced manifold bolts etc.). Is E63 the 400-4V for '72 or is this a typo? Also, what is the correct fender code for the stainless side moldings (fender / door you see on the SSPs?

Also my paint code says EW1 (twice), whereas the decoders says Spinnaker White for 72 Plymouths is W1. Is EW1 Eggshell White, which is another name for Spinnaker White?

Everything else pretty much checks out. Thanks very much for the info you have.

Kind regards,

Ian B.

Looking at Galen's White Book for '72 it does indeed say E63 is a 400 2bbl 181 hp engine and EW1 is Spinnaker White. Isn't the paint code on the fender tag twice for the body color and the upper door frame color or something? There's no "W1" mentioned in Galen's book that I can find.

Delete duplicate post

Hi Bruce,

Thanks very much for checking. So the Spinnaker White is good. Still a little surprised about the E63 as spreadbore manifold and TQ is an original install. Maybe dealer install? Doesn't matter now as the original numbers engine was rebuilt and ported and has a new TQ, making 308 HP now .

Can't tell if the car had stainless side moldings (hope not, as not a fan anyway).

Brgds,

Ian B.

E68 would be the code for a 4 bbl 400. Look close, is that 3 an 8?

What’s the engine code in the vin? Block stampings?

Thanks for your responses. Here is a temporary shot of the fender tag (Will take it back down again later as the car is secure).



Definitely an E63 and the other codes check out. It is just the original spreadbore intake w/ TQ it came with that has me puzzled. Am overseas at the moment and car is in storage so don't have access to any additional info unfortunately.

I'll push my luck here - anyone know how many EW1 SSPs were made in 1972 and how many EW1 SSPs w/ the factory 400?

Thanks again.

Ian B.

“M” vin engine code corresponds to the E63 fender tag code as a 400 2bbl. Sounds like the spreadbore intake and TQ are not original and added at some point. If it was original, the codes would be E68 on the tag and VIN would have a “P” where the “M” is. The 400 would have a different cam, HP exhaust manifolds and the block stampings would contain “HP”.

Hi,

Thanks for all your feedback. Oh well, it's a factory correct E68 now and indistinguishable from original (just the data-plate). Also it looks like the M33 is the body side moldings. Another small change I will make is to get the body-shop to do the M33 in coach-line tape to differentiate the argent silver instead of the stainless - they look too 'stuck on' for my personal taste.

Thanks for your continued input.

Ian B.

Yeah, I was thinking maybe you had a rusty, crusty, bent or broken fender tag and it may really be E68... nope, not the case! Your tag is about as pristine as they come.

Hey Ian,
The E in the color code EW1 just denotes the first year that particular color was offered on Chrysler/Dodge/Plymouth cars. E is for 1969, F (like FJ6) is for 1970, G (like GB5) is for 1971...etc.
Scott.

FYI, the secton white paint code (to the right of the interior code) is for the door frame. This color is keyed to the interior color, not the paint color on the body. You will not see a paint code for the silver along the bottom of the car.

Hi Scott / Eric,

Thanks for explaining the paint codes - I was wondering why there was no code for the Argent Silver on the lower body. Just out of interest, why was the door frame colour keyed to the interior colour?

Thanks,

Ian B.

They color key the door frames to the interior color so that when the door is shut you see continuous interior color. Like say the car is blue with a white interior... If that inside edge of the door was not painted white, then when you shut the door and look at it from the inside, you'd see blue in the seam.

Well, that's what I suspect the reasoning is anyway. It gives them a more finished look.

Magnes wrote:They color key the door frames to the interior color so that when the door is shut you see continuous interior color. Like say the car is blue with a white interior... If that inside edge of the door was not painted white, then when you shut the door and look at it from the inside, you'd see blue in the seam.

Well, that's what I suspect the reasoning is anyway. It gives them a more finished look.

I agree, this is the most likely reason.