Re: [Amc-list] Verifying Matching Numbers

[Matt Haas <mhaas@xxxxxxx>]

On 5/21/2008 11:37 AM, JOE FULTON spouted this sage advice:
> Don,
> 
> Matt H. on this list has documented how to date code
> some of the engine accessories.  He will probably
> chime in with specifics, but I think they are on his
> website.
<snip>

Actually, I owe a lot of what I know about the date codes to Tom Benvie. 
A long time ago [in a galaxy far, far away] he posted a bunch of 
information on what is date coded and where to look for them. My 67 
wagon is a low enough mile car that most of the stuff on it is original. 
I just took pictures.

Anywho, AMC did not stamp serial numbers into major components like GM, 
Ford, and Chrysler so it can be hard to tell if you have the original 
parts or not. Most parts did have a date code on them but they were 
sometimes just ink stamped or painted on. Those types of markings don't 
survive very well (especially if the car was freshened up or had major 
mechanical work in its past).

On your car, you will have a serial number that indicates what engine it 
came with, general body style, and maybe what type of carburetor. All of 
that comes from the letter in it. The numbers are, of course, the serial 
number and it was assigned when the order for the car was received by AMC.

The body tag (which is attached to the front drivers door under the 
latch) has a lot more information. http://www.amcyclopedia.org/node/58 
has a bunch of the information about how to decode the tag but that page 
is incomplete. There is an unlabeled number at the bottom of that tag 
that is the number assigned as the car went down the assembly line. I 
haven't seen monthly break downs older than 1963 model years but 
production would be pretty steady so you can estimate when it was made 
by subtracting the starting number (it wasn't always 1) from what your 
tag has on it and then dividing total production by 12 and figuring out 
where you car fits in. This should get you within a month or so of when 
your car was built. BTW, production usually started in August and I 
based on the numbers I've seen for other years, there was likely a plant 
shutdown in August to allow for tooling changes for the upcoming model 
years.

Once you know "when" your car was made, you can compare that to the date 
codes of various parts. Things like engines, transmission, and axles 
typically didn't sit around but smaller parts may have been several 
months old when installed. 
http://www.mattsoldcars.com/1967american/date_codes.shtml is the page I 
put together showing date coded stuff from my wagon.

Also, AMC didn't keep ultra-detailed records like other manufacturers 
did. For example, there's no way to find out how many pink 60 Ramblers 
with A/C, bumper guards, and power steering were made. Production was 
typically summarized by month and sometimes by engine size within a 
given line.

Matt

-- 
mhaas@xxxxxxx
Cincinnati, OH
http://www.mattsoldcars.com
1967 Rambler American wagon
1968 Rambler American sedan
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