The Dodge Challenger Message Board

Hi can anyone help me clarify if my fender tag on my supposedly matching numbers restored 71 RT 383 magnum challenger is a fake?
Going on sites I have seen for decoding all decodes seem good apart from having both j54 (Sport hood 70-1) which it has , and n96 which is shaker hood which it certainly isn't!! further decode info I found said the N96 was also high altitude emission but this site also said was from 1973 so would not be relevant to my 71.
any help appreciated
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If you have a clear photo of the tag that would be a help. There are other clues like font and which line each code is on that also give clues.

Have you also found and checked all the other numbers?

viewtopic.php?p=4119#p4119

Like Dave said, a good pic can help. Some people here (and on Moparts) have seen quite a few of these and will spot unusual combinations, fake fonts, etc.

attached is fender tag and emission control sticker that I would think was reproduced as looks too new suspect that sticker added when car restored a couple years ago
also found stamped numbers on radiator support and cowl .Could these be Fakes They look a bit vague but can be read as same numbers as Dash vin
any help appreciated

I can't see how that emissions sticker can be original, no matter how well preserved or even clear costed that wouldn't escape yellowing and cracking from fuel solvents and heat.

yes I agree but the important one is the fender tag it is the one im trying to find out if is genuine or not

Give me an hour or two and you will have my opinion on the tag. I just got to look at my references.

But yes the sticker is just a common replacement often put on after a paint job. Just don't ever set the timing figures as they are on that sticker of the engine will run like crap.

Well I am a bit handicapped because I can't find any 1971 Challengers in my copies of fender tags and broadcast sheets. I have every other bloody year but not 1971.

All I can say is that in 1970 you would not have had J54 on the tag. On the build sheet yes but not on the tag.

I will have to dig around on here to see if I can find any 71 tags decoded on this forum.

But yes N96 is definitely the shaker hood so it is not looking good.

I also don't see any evidence of the top left corner being bent up for paint and then folded back down. Normally you see a faint crease across that corner. On original cars only that top left screw got painted. That right side screw would be bare metal as it was put in after paint. A common restoration mistake.

OK I found a 1971 tag at last and yes J54 would be on the tag in 1971. But obviously not with that N96 code.

Also the tags are held on with Phillips head screws and not rosette rivets.
Though one thing positive is that you say the numbers on the tags match the numbers on the frame and radiator core.

Also have you checked the rear trunk weatherstrip flange? Here's a quick bit of info on that http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/ubbthre ... 552&page=1

fal308 wrote:Also have you checked the rear trunk weatherstrip flange? Here's a quick bit of info on that http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/ubbthre ... 552&page=1

I have never found one there on a Challenger. Other Mopars yes but never a Challenger.

I have found some info on the net.

http://board.moparts.org/ubbthreads/sho ... earch=true