Body ID Plate Quandry!

[farna@xxxxxxx]

I've run across another problem! The photos Eddie sent of his 1981, 83, and 88 Eagles have a door tag similar to mid 60s tags -- no safety complinace message at the top. He also sent a photo of a collection of tags (he keeps the tags from cars just before they go to the crusher) that has a 77, 78, and 79 tag without the safety compliance message above the "Advanced Unit Construction..." message touting body features. This message is in a painted band with "American Motors Advanced Unit Construction" above, and the number infor below. 68 up models have a safety compliance message between the "...Construction" title and painted band. 

I beleive the change occurred in 1977 when a new Safety Certifiaction Sticker came out that included GVWR/GAWR and stopping distance information and that 77 models may have either tag -- early ones the 68-76 style tag, later ones 77-88 style. The TSMs are of no help -- they all show the 68 style tag, but don't show the text above the painted band starting in the 1980 TSM. I don't have a 79 TSM -- if someone has one, please check to see if the text is between the "title" and painted band. The 77 tag I have shows a production number about half way through the year for the East line (rough estimate) -- 34712. It doesn't have the safety message above the painted band. 

This is an area the TSMs are of no use -- would those with 77-79 cars check their door tags and see what type you have and e-mail me or post here on the list? Wouldn't hurt to check 76 models either. I need the info for an article, which will be made available soon. 


--
Frank Swygert
Publisher, "American Independent 
Magazine" (AIM)
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