The Dodge Challenger Message Board

As it appears on the fender tag

V5X L2 458
J25 L31 M21 M26 N76 R11
KB5 U 541 C56 G11 G54
KB5 A6B6 000 C05 092051
E44 D34 JH23 G43 242186


I know little outside of the Blue/Blue color scheme, 318 w/auto transmission, and lights package. All input or comments are appreciated.

You should post a picture of the tag, and maybe try to make a pencil impression of it on paper, you have some digits off (the VIN has to be JH23G4B, not JH23G43, and the end with L2 458 is wrong too, there wan't be an "L" there, but I can't guess what should be there. Options are listed alphabetically, so it should either be a W or Y option, or the "26" which indicates a 26" radiator, which usually comes last)

You can do it yourself also, there for example : http://www.mymopar.com/index.php?pid=87
Just fill in the numbers in the same spots as they appear on your tag, and click Decode.

Here's what can be decoded :
E44: 318 cid 2 barrel V8 230hp
D34: Light Duty Automatic Transmission
KB5: Lucerne Blue Poly Exterior Color
A6B6: Trim - Basic, Vinyl Bucket Seats, Blue
000: Full Door Panels
C05: Build Date: December 05
092051: Order number

KB5: Lucerne Blue Poly Top Color
U: USA Specifications
541: Unknown -probably B41, front disc brakes with 10" rear drums-
C56: Bucket Seats
G11: Tinted Glass (all)
G54: Outside LH Remote Chrome Racing Mirror

J25: 3 Speed Wipers
L31: Hood/Fender Mounted Turn Signals
M21: Roof drip rail moldings
M26: Wheel Lip Moldings
N76: Coolant Recovery System
R11: Radio Solid State AM (2 Watts)

V5X: Body Side Stripes, Black
L2: Unknown
458: Unknown

C05: Build Date: December 05

It was the Scheduled Production Date actually, most online decoders have this wrong.

Since it is a 1973 model, if the original Mylar sticker is still presesnt on the driver's side door near the latch, what does the MDH code say?

V5X: Body Side Stripes, Black

Body side molding actually, see http://www.hamtramck-historical.com/ima ... er0004.jpg

Alaskan_TA wrote:

Since it is a 1973 model, if the original Mylar sticker is still presesnt on the driver's side door near the latch, what does the MDH code say?

The sticker is still there to my amazement, buy its covered in some black crud so ill try and clean it up today and post a picture of it. As for the VIN on the fender tag, I knew something didn't seem right when I typed it in. To save space in the garage someone set the hood on without the hinges so its a bit of a pain to get to the tag now. The car does have disc up front and drum in the rear so B41 would be correct.

A57 isn't on the tag so it doesn't have the Rallye package. J54 is also not on the tag so the car came with the flat hood.

Heres a picture of the tag on the door. I didn't get all the black paint off, but the tape (crud) came off easily and quickly. Are there any other items like this around the car that can give more history into the vehicle?

burdar wrote:54 is also not on the tag so the car came with the flat hood.

I feel that if it doesn't have a bulge, its not a challenger. The bulge pulls the whole appearance together.

MDH 12 05 23;

12th month (December 1973, 1974 model year) 5th day, 23rd hour.

So, in this case this car was actually built on it's schedlued production date, but it is not always the case. Just one hour later would have pushed it into the 6th......

You can also check the car for broadcast sheets. For a '74, check behind the glove box insert, under the front seat bottoms in the springs, in the rear seat bottom & back in the springs & under the carpet.

If no one has searched it before you may find one in each spot.

Just checked, there's nothing taped to the glove box, under/in the front seats, or back seats. I haven't checked yet, but I don't think there's anything under the speaker panel behind the rear seat. There was no carpet in the car when I bought it so there was none there. Someone beat me to all of them...
...At least I have a fender tag and a VIN to accompany my Challenger.