A36 option code fender tag question • The Dodge Challenger Message Board

by **Automotive Engineer** » 16 Jan 2008 10:01

Hi all!

I've been searching for a while a JS27 car. Now I found one reasonable alternative that has a fender tag, but no build sheet. When decoding the tag I was blocked with one strangeness.

In the fender tag is the A36 code that means Performance Axle Package. As far as I know package included among the other goodies a Max Cool radiator that I suppose it was in practice meaning a 26" radiator.

If it really has had the A36 package should there be in the fender tag also stamped 26 meaning the 26" radiator that has been included in the Performance Axle Package??? Now it has not!

I have been thinking that in these days when original JS27 prices are climbing up some could have got a temptation to stamp a "homemade" fender tag, but with a little bit insufficient information about the connections of different option codes.

I have tried to seach from the internet this kind of information, but haven't found yet. Hope that someone could give reliable answer.

Thanks a lot if you can help me with this question!!!

by **dave-r** » 16 Jan 2008 11:53

Performance Axle Package (A36)
Available on cars with 4bbl or multiple carburettors. Included 3.55:1 axle gears with Sure Grip in a 8.75 inch axle, heavy duty cooling and heavy duty suspension.

I think you are correct that it would have a 26 inch radiator and "26" should be on the tag.

I don't remember seeing a 26-inch radiator car without the tag code before (but have never thought to look) and I don't have a huge collection of tag details at home so it is not impossible it was missed off sometimes or not put on in all cases.

Maybe Barry or Jack can help you out here.

by **rtse4406pack** » 16 Jan 2008 14:48

i think when someone ordered one of the option "groups" that dodge would not put every seperate option on the fender tag.my car has option groups A01 (lighting group),A04 (radio group) and A34 (super track pack group).many of the seperate options within these groups are not showing on my fender tag but some are.i do have the 26 code showing though.

maybe they did this to save from putting 2 fender tags? or maybe they did not bother putting every code on the fender tag if it was included within an option group?

by **Automotive Engineer** » 16 Jan 2008 17:04

rtse4406pack wrote:i think when someone ordered one of the option "groups" that dodge would not put every seperate option on the fender tag.my car has option groups A01 (lighting group),A04 (radio group) and A34 (super track pack group).many of the seperate options within these groups are not showing on my fender tag but some are.i do have the 26 code showing though.

maybe they did this to save from putting 2 fender tags? or maybe they did not bother putting every code on the fender tag if it was included within an option group?

That was what I was also at first wondering, but on the Fender Tag pictures what I have seen in the internet has been the 26-code in connection with the A36 option package.

So any other guess...

by **rtse4406pack** » 16 Jan 2008 17:51

Automotive Engineer wrote:
rtse4406pack wrote:i think when someone ordered one of the option "groups" that dodge would not put every seperate option on the fender tag.my car has option groups A01 (lighting group),A04 (radio group) and A34 (super track pack group).many of the seperate options within these groups are not showing on my fender tag but some are.i do have the 26 code showing though.

maybe they did this to save from putting 2 fender tags? or maybe they did not bother putting every code on the fender tag if it was included within an option group?

That was what I was also at first wondering, but on the Fender Tag pictures what I have seen in the internet has been the 26-code in connection with the A36 option package.

So any other guess...

i wouldnt worry about it so much that 26 is not on your fender tag,as long as the A36 is there that is proof enough.you should include a photo of your fender tag and maybe someone can help you further explain your tag.

by **dave-r** » 17 Jan 2008 8:47

I think it is a fake tag with options added.

The car has not got a 26-inch radiator support and having seen a photo of the tag I suspect is not as old as the car despite attempts to make it look "distressed".

If you ever have suspicions about a car like this (too low a price and things that do not quite ring true) always walk away.

I think you should give us the details of the car and seller so we can see who this guy is.

by **ianandjess** » 17 Jan 2008 9:24

where is this car for sale? ebay?

by **Alaskan_TA** » 18 Jan 2008 1:46

The tag is a fake. (for more than one reason)

Barry

by **JackT** » 18 Jan 2008 1:51

OK, where can I go to see the pics you guys seem to have had access to? I like these detective stories!

by **patrick** » 18 Jan 2008 6:20

Hey, I want to see too! :s004:

You guy's know my story. VIN's, Fender Tag's. Complete 340 Rallye, without A57 on F-Tag. Some of us don't have Build Sheet's. I know my fender tag isn't fake. But with all the beatin' up I've been doing on it, so you guy's can see the #'s, I don't know how good it is anymore
:s008:

by **dave-r** » 18 Jan 2008 9:00

And what the hell is P37 anyway?

by **dave-r** » 18 Jan 2008 10:41

The car is now on ebay.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Dodge-Ch ... enameZWDVW

by **Alaskan_TA** » 19 Jan 2008 2:03

Dave,
P37 is the code for a power convertible top.

Off to check Ebay.......

by **dave-r** » 19 Jan 2008 19:15

Alaskan_TA wrote:Dave,
P37 is the code for a power convertible top.

No wonder I have not seen that on any hardtops. :lol:

by **Automotive Engineer** » 19 Jan 2008 20:32

Hi again

Last night I spent hours in the internet looking for different Mopar Fender Tags. In all cases when the car had the A36 option, in the tag was 26 indicating the 26" radiator what was included in the package.

Conclusion of this investigation was, if there is A36 in the Fender Tag, there should also be stamped 26. If it's missing, it's not the original tag and the one who has had it done, has not done his homework good enough.

The car of this case is now for sale at e-Bay where the seller is stating that the car is having the original radiator. The radiator support frame is not original while it's not having the VIN stamped on it and the radiator is 22".

So a 22" radiator in a car that by fender tag has had the A36. You all can make your conclusions from this.

This was not the only strange thing in the car. The "numbers matching" engine has the casting date only nine (9) days earlier than what was the scheduled production date in the Fender Tag.

Please, correct me, if I'm totally lost, but in the late 60's casting technology was not so developed as nowadays and at that time there was normally a few weeks (months) gap between the casting and before the block was machined and assembled to car.

If someone has registrated to e-Bay, could make an open question to the seller about the Fender Tag's A36 code and why car is not having a 26" radiator and a sign of 26 in the Tag.

It would be interesting to see what would be the answer :thumbsup:

Googling the VIN number gives a hit to an other board where last spring the car was advertised to be auctioned by Sheriff.

If you google the VIN, notice that the VIN number's 6th digit is number zero (0) not a letter O, like the seller has spelled to e-bay, but you all readers already knew this trick :lol:

I only wish that the car could tell the story of it's life :wink:

Despite all this oddness in this car, I like all Challenger convertibles, especially when they are Plum Crazy. The Dodge fever is still on me :s006:

.

I think I'll have to put some ice cubes under my clothes easing the fever. :mrgreen:

by **christer** » 19 Jan 2008 20:53

Alaskan_TA wrote:The tag is a fake. (for more than one reason)

Barry

A good answer. It is important not to reveal too much knowledge. The ruthless people out there have mighty big ears/eyes.

by **Automotive Engineer** » 19 Jan 2008 21:20

christer wrote:
Alaskan_TA wrote:The tag is a fake. (for more than one reason)

Barry

A good answer. It is important not to reveal too much knowledge. The ruthless people out there have mighty big ears/eyes.

Christer, I partly understand your point of view, but isn't it important to share knowledge among other enthusiast so that they won't step into a same kind trap what you have just bypassed? At least I would appreciate that kind of information.

by **christer** » 19 Jan 2008 22:47

There is a risk that the bad guys might pick up information here so they can "improve" their "product". I am not willing to give them that opportunity myself. The main thing is that it is possible for anyone to get fake/not-fake information, thanks to this forum and other forums. Well, that is how I see it.

by **Automotive Engineer** » 19 Jan 2008 23:41

christer wrote:There is a risk that the bad guys might pick up information here so they can "improve" their "product". I am not willing to give them that opportunity myself. The main thing is that it is possible for anyone to get fake/not-fake information, thanks to this forum and other forums. Well, that is how I see it.

That's good point of view. Let's not teach those who are planning VIN frauds.

I was only stuck with this particular case and hoping that somebody who's exited with that car and is going to buy it with "original" documentation won't be disappointed afterwards.

It does not matter, if you know what you are going to buy even with holes in the documents, if you know that in advance and you still like the car. For example here in Finland are a lot of rebodied Mopars, even E-bodies done to the documents and VIN of B-bodies.

I heard as an example that one Swede had bought last spring from Finland a Challenger convertible that had been rebodied to '67 4D Belvedere VIN and papers. Now he has had somekind of trouble to get it registered in Sweden. I can imagine it, the car looks like a Challenger, but Finnish Title and VIN is from a 67 Belvedere. But the owner got what he wanted and knew the possible difficulties.

Let's try to remember that these beautiful cars are almost 40 years old so it's no wonder that a lot's of parts can have been changed. A true survivors or totally untouched cars are very very rare.