The Dodge Challenger Message Board

I just bought a 1971 R/T Challenger with a 340, I know that its an all matching numbers car but I need a little help with decoding the fender tag.

R22, R32, V9X, 26, EN2, J54, M21, N41, N42, N85, C55, G36, H31, H51, J25, J45, GA4, U, A04, A36, B51, C16, GA4, H6X9, 000, 601, 043066, E55, D32, JS23H1B411164

This site is the best! It brings back a lot of nostalgia. My father is a muscle car fanatic, and when I was growing up he had a monster of a 1970 Challenger for his sunday driver, it had a 440 in it (unfortunately he sold the car for extra cash when my baby brother was born, of course it was for an amount no where near what it would bring on todays market). Honestly, I was broken hearted, and so was he, but ever since that day I have planned to atleast at some point in my life, get my hands on a Challenger of my own. So after 20 years of waiting I finally went out a did it.
Thanks in advance!! Jeff

It is going to take a little more time than I have right now to de-code that because you have jumbled up all the codes. You should always write the tag dow just as it looks in real life.

Check out the threads in this section to see how it works.

Meanwhile if no-one else decodes it first I will do it tomorrow because I am going out to see a band playing in a pub in a few minutes (That is if the wife gets a bloody move on! ) and will be in no fit state when I get back.

Sorry bout that, maybe it would be better if I posted a quick picture of it then.

I appreciate your time, and hope you have fun at the pub. Drink a pint for me!!

If you go to this web site: http://www.mymopar.com
and click on the 'Tools/Reference' section (menu on the left), you will find a link to the PC Fender Tag Decoder in the second column, third row.
Here's the link : http://www.mymopar.com/downloads/decode.exe

You can then use this to decode your own tag. Problem with this program : you can't copy the results, or save to a text file.

You can also use an online Fender Tag Decoder, such as this one :
http://www.stockmopar.com/mopar-fender-tag-decoder.php

Here is the result (web ste designer apparently likes to write 'Bottom' with 3 'T's):

Decoding of Fender Tag: Botttom to Top, Left to Right

Code Description
JS23 J = Dodge Challenger
S = Special
23 = 2 Door Hardtop
N1B N = 383 300HP 1-4BBL 8 CYL
1 = 1971
B = Dodge Main, Hamtramck, MI, USA
411164 Sequence Number '411164'


Decoding of Fender Tag: Botttom to Top, Left to Right

Code Description
E55 340-4 Barrel 69-73
D32 H-D A-727 TorqueFlite Trans / Some Years A-998
JS23 J = Dodge Challenger
S = Special
23 = 2 Door Hardtop
N1B N = 383 300HP 1-4BBL 8 CYL
1 = 1971
B = Dodge Main, Hamtramck, MI, USA
411164 Sequence Number '411164'
GA4 Paint Code: Unknown At This Time
H6X9 Trim Grade/Style/Color
H = High
6 = Vinyl Bucket Seats
X9 = Black
000 Upper Door Frame: Full Door Panel
601 Date Built: 6 / 01 / 1971
043066 Order Number: 043066
GA4 Roof Type OR Color: Unknown At This Time
U Built to Specifications for USA Order
A04 Basic (Radio) Group
A36 3.55:1 High Preformence Axle Package
B51 Power Assisted Brakes
C16 Console w/ Buckets
C55 Bucket Seats
G36 Left Hand Remote, Right Hand Manual Outside Mirror
H31 Rear Window Defogger - Blower
H51 Single Air /w Heater
J25 3 Speed Variable Wipers
J45 Hood Tie Down Pins
J54 Sport Hood 70-1
M21 Roof Drip Rail Moldings
N41 Duel Exhaust w/o Tips
N42 Chrome Duel Exhaust Tips
N85 Tachometer
R22 AM w/ 8-Track
R32 Duel Rear Speakers
V9X Black Bumblebee Stripe
26 26 in. Radiator
EN2 End of Codes Assembly Line 2

There are some mistakes with the results (and I don't mean the lousy orthograph).
V9X is NOT a bumblebee stripe in 1971, it is a longitudinal side stripe, black.

Look here to check the codes :
http://www.mymopar.com/6971opcodes.htm

There is only one missing code from all that now, which is the paint code.

Just search Google for 'mopar paint codes GA4' and you will find a few pages that list this color :

GA4 stands for Winchester Grey Metallic (Plymouth name) or Light Gunmetal Metallic (Dodge).

Monsieur, merci de votre aide.

On the longitudinal side stripe, would that be in reference to the R/T side decal that runs to the rear window on each side?
The car was repainted in a different color during the 80's, and I'm trying to put it back all stock. Problem is I'm not sure if the original owner changed anything else, such as decals, badges ect. from what came as factory on this car.
I plan to post some pictures fairly soon so maybe you guys can help me out by laying down some of your expertese.
One question I already have is: Was the automatic slapstick shifter an optional package on the R/T during 1971? If not then the guy must have put one in off a 1970. Which means I'll need to buy a T shifter.
Also, could someone tell me how many badges and decals came stock on the 71 R/T, and where there placement was? I know of atleast 1 that I am missing. Sorry for being troublesome but I just don't want to be mislead by non-stock photographs and accidently neglect to buy something. Thanks in advance for your help on these.

onedayaway wrote:On the longitudinal side stripe, would that be in reference to the R/T side decal that runs to the rear window on each side?

Yes.

The car was repainted in a different color during the 80's, and I'm trying to put it back all stock.
Problem is I'm not sure if the original owner changed anything else, such as decals, badges ect. from what came as factory on this car.

Also, could someone tell me how many badges and decals came stock on the 71 R/T, and where there placement was? I know of atleast 1 that I am missing.

The colour codes and paint chip examples (plus details of all stripes/decals) are on my web site at www.dodgechallenger.co.uk

What do you think is missing?

One question I already have is: Was the automatic slapstick shifter an optional package on the R/T during 1971? If not then the guy must have put one in off a 1970. Which means I'll need to buy a T shifter.

It is a slapstick shifter no matter what kind of lever is fitted. It should be a T-shifter though.

fbernard wrote: 601 Date Built: 6 / 01 / 1971

Just to point out.
This is not the date the car was actually built. It would have been actually built a couple of weeks or so later.

Thanks for clearing up the shifter question.
Right now it has the shifter in the pic that I included, so I guess that needs to go.
As for what else is missing that I know of: The DOGE logo across the hood is missing, and also there is a place on the back trunk that you can see where it once had a dodge R/T decal. The chrome trim that goes around the inner fenders is missing.

I also suspect that the front bumper is from a different Challenger, possibly a 1970. It has two places in the chrome (where the bars would be on a 70) that look like the polish is a little different. It also has some slight fitting issues (it doesnt fit snug in the molded recesses) which make me a bit curious but, as I'm not an expert, it could just need some adjusting. Would a 70 front bummper be interchangeable?
Thats about all I can think of at this second. Thanks again for the info.

Again. The answers to your questions are on my Challenger web site.

If you read that it tells you that there were in fact four different front bumpers used that year. They used the 1970 bumper untill Feb 1971 so it should fit OK unless it has the wrong bumper brackets or something??

The 1971 R/T did not have DODGE lettering on the hood front.

I don't think had Dodge R/T on the trunk either? It only had "Dodge" by itself as far as I know??

Oh and the chrome trim in the wheel arches was optional. Not all had it.

Ok, so the Dodge R/T sticker that left its imprint on the back of the trunk is something that must have been put on after it came from the factory.

The reason I was thinking it had missing fender chrome was because when I was giving it a once over I noticed that the inner fender had been drilled to recieve some, so basically I just assumed. Hopefully there is a broadcast sheet hidden somewhere in the car. So far I've only checked the seat area.

I'm not sure about the bumper yet. I'll have to check out the bracket situation tomorrow morning before school. I'm hoping that might be the case, since shelling out a large sum of money for a replacement bummper just isn't going to happen in the next few months. LOL. I'm about as broke as it gets, and I still have to give her a paint job.

Here is what she looks like in her current condition. I'm planning on taking her back to Gunmetal as soon as I get the minor details worked out.

Oh by the way, Dave you have a excellent website. Very, very interesting!

onedayaway wrote:The reason I was thinking it had missing fender chrome was because when I was giving it a once over I noticed that the inner fender had been drilled to recieve some, so basically I just assumed. Hopefully there is a broadcast sheet hidden somewhere in the car. So far I've only checked the seat area.

I am not sure if they used a different fender or not with the chrome wheel arch lips. If they did then you probably had that trim originally.

Good luck on finding that broadcast sheet. It will tell all.

Ok, I checked out the bumper this morning and I don't think its the brackets that are throwing it off. It looks like the bumper is not of the proper size to fit the recessing on the front.
I think you can see what I'm talking about in the second and fourth pics that I posted of the car.
Thank you for all the help thus far. Jeff

It looks like it may be twisted??

It is deffinately too far to the passenger side, it needs to be centered at least. It should stick past the fenders on both sides.

Barry

onedayaway wrote: It looks like the bumper is not of the proper size to fit the recessing on the front.

I didn't pick up on that point. I don't think there was any difference in the width of the bumper from year to year.

As Barry says, center the bumper and there should be a couple of rubber inserts that fit in each far corner of the bumper to fill some of the gap.

Thanks guys. I'll try centering it this afternoon (I have class again today) and I'll see if that works it out. I had no clue there were rubber inserts that went in there, I guess thats something that I'll have to pick up in the near future. I would get those from yearone right?

This is my first time ever taking on any form of restore, well, other than routine engine restoration, and it really is not helping that there is not another Challenger owner for over a 100 miles (or atleast from what I've seen at the car shows I have went to). There are some mopars around, a few chargers, super bees, and I've seen a demon but unfortunately no e-bodys. So basically I'm running off pictures, the advise from this forum, both you guy's websites, and the memorys of a 6 year old. Lol.

Is there any books that are an imperative must have? I've seen there are a few out there for sale on various sites but at the moment I'm pretty strapped for money since I'm paying for college. I'll have to be selective.

I would put money on there being a Challenger near you. They turn up everywhere.

These are the bumper fillers;
http://www.yearone.com/serverfiles/part ... B5144&trk=

For books start with the factory workshop manual if you intend to do any mechanical work on the car.

Ok, I ordered a set of the rubber bumper fillers.

Dave-r, its a good thing for me you didnt put money down because I already would have lost that bet. I just found out a guy a couple of towns over has a Challenger TA in excellent condition garaged along with a ton of other old autos. From what I hear he is of the rather stuffy sort, and not good for the average conversation, if you know what I mean.
But hey, he has a Challenger, and thats got to count for something.

I picked up a workshop manual when I bought the car so I'm good to go in that department. Do you guys have any other Challenger or even muscle car literature to suggest? Like this:
http://www.amazon.com/Challenger-Barrac ... F8&s=books

Just curious to what you guys might have on your shelves that you could recommend.

There are some mistakes in that book but it is not bad on the whole.

onedayaway wrote:Just curious to what you guys might have on your shelves that you could recommend.

Click on the image and you can read the titles.

Nice Collection!!!
The only one I have in that lot is the "Classic American Cars" book.

Exactly what kind of mistakes? Lol. It would be my luck to butcher something using incorrect information.

How is that (car color history) Barracuda and Challenger book thats just right of the restoration one? I think I've seen that one on Amazon also. I need bedtime material

onedayaway wrote:How is that (car color history) Barracuda and Challenger book

Mainly photos but some good background stories.

The Paul Herd restoration book is sometimes a little off when it comes to what was optional or not and some of the part numbers but on the whole it is a pretty good guide.

The only way to make sure you do a good restoration is to get a car that has never been modified or had anything added or removed.

Most people do not strive for perfection. Most cars are either over restored or under restored.

To get a car just like it left the factory is actually impossible. Some people try to get near that but it costs a LOT of money and takes a lot of research.

Even the professionals get it wrong sometimes I can assure you.

I think I might pick those up this week.

I'm definitely not going to over restore, mainly because I am to strapped for cash but also since intend on driving it pretty regular. I do want to try and put the thing right though, atleast to the extent that I can achieve on my limited budget. It will be a long process but this car is worth it.

Here is another question for you (sorry I'm hitting you with all these ) I was talking to a friend about the orange paint on Mopar motors and was a little lost when he told me that he had come across some blue ones that dated from around 70-71. Now I may sound dumb for even asking but I really wasn't sure if he was telling me the truth or just blowing smoke so I figured I'd see what you guys said. Thanks for all your insight. Jeff

Your friend is correct. The lower performance engines were painted blue.

However with Chrysler you can never say anything is for sure. They didn't always stck to the rules so you always find exceptions.

Here is a chart showing what colour most of the engines were painted.