Re: Door Tag Decode Help Needed

[farna@xxxxxxx]

Okay, I found time to look at the VIN. It seems to check out fine.

A = AMC
4 = 1974
C = auto floor shift
7 = Javelin
9 = two door hard top
7 = Javelin again. Some decoders list only the 7 for 1974, but an 8 for the AMX for 1971-73. I'm not sure I have a 74 TSM at home -- will have to check. I used the decoder on www.amxfiles.com, initially compiled by John Rosa... ;> This is apparently the sticky point in the VIN. 
Z = 401/4V
210373 = the order number, the 210,373rd order processed by AMC in 1974. It has nothing to do with production or the order in which the car was built. If AMC processed this many orders before the first car ran down the line, this could be the first car built in 1974. That's not really possible, but four digit numbers being sent down the line in even two digit order is. A lot of dealer orders were processed early in the year, then the orders were arranged according to the needs of the assembly line. I 300 Americans, Ambassadors, and Classics were orderd before the first Javelin, those early orders might get filled first. The production manager (or management office) determined the batch order of cars. 

The bottom number on the door tag, in this case E264281, is the production order. This was the 264,281st car to come off the East assembly line at Kenosha. AMC only had three final assembly lines -- East and West at Kenosha, and a single line at Brampton. Only American and Classic/Rebel four door sedans were built at Brampton in the late 60s (67-69 models at least -- prior to that several models were built there due to import tariffs, which were eliminated just before the 67 model year -- June 1966). Note that the order number is 53,908 in front of the production number. Sounds like a significant amount, but my understanding is that both lines started at 1 every year. 


On January 23, 2006 Frank Swygert wrote:

> Well, the door tag checks out, even the trim code. "8" was used for most of the black and white pattern interiors. Some were checked cloth or vinyl seats, some black carpet (and other trim -- varied by year an model) and white seats.
> 
> Apparently the VIN doesn't match a 401 AMX? In that case I tend to agree with you -- the door (or at least the tag) was changed and the car re-built to match. What does the VIN say as far as year, model, and engine size? Of course someone could have changed out the entire dash, not realizing the VIN changed with it. But I find that a bit unlikely.
> 
> On January 22, 2006 John Rosa wrote:
> 
> > Hey all,
> >
> > I've got a woman asking for help in figuring out what is
> > and isn't kosher about her car.
> >
> > Here's what the car appears to be (ignoring codes)-
> >
> > Carpet: Black
> > Interior White
> > Color Mellow Yellow
> > AC
> > Rally Gauges
> > Automatic
> > 401
> > AMX emblems all over
> > Tilt steering
> >
> > The door tag states the following-
> >
> > Body: 079728
> > Model    7479-8 [1974 AMX]
> > Trim    428 Q
> > Paint E9 [Mellow Yellow]
> > E264281
> >
> > VIN A4C797Z210373
> >
> > I suspect the whole door was changed and the car is a base-model
> > that's been cloned to be an AMX. But its possible, too, that the
> > title and dash tag are what don't belong and the car is truly an
> > AMX, retitled improperly.
> >
> > I've suggested removing the steering box to get the serial
> > number off the frame rail to confirm it's true heritage, but
> > figured I'd offer the above in case any sleuths want to chime
> > in early.
> >
> > Thanks in advance,
> >
> > John W Rosa
> > www.JavelinAMX.com
> >
> > 1971 AMC Javelin ADPS 401 (police car)
> > www.javelinamx.com/JavHome/jwr/71ADPS/
> 
> 
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