1968 Hemi Roadrunner Fender Tag and VIN validation?

[Demon 2048]

Could someone tell me if this fender tag is the original for a 1968 Hemi Roadrunner I'm considering buying. Also included are pictures of the VIN Tag on the dash as well as engine and transmission stampings. Just want to know if I have the real d

eal here or is this car not original? This is my first post so any help would be appreciated.

 

[6PK2GOBEE]

One red flag that pops up for me is the mismatched block and bellhousing vin stamp. Those two should match in character shift deviation.
Does the trunk lip and radiator support stamp match?
Broadcast sheet?

Then there’s this sort of malarkey going on and of course the rosette rivets that are supposed to be as illegal as these vin plates are easily obtained!

 

[R/T Boy 67]

You need to check the body codes, as mentioned above. In this case the code should be A8R245680. If it is something else, then the fender tag is not original to that body.

 

[91r/t]

I don't believe an R will be in the code stamped. Hemi was J code until 70. No engine codes in the body stampings. It'll be plant, year, then the 6 digit S.O. number for 68 only. So it should read A8 254680

 

[69Coronetrt]

I don't believe an R will be in the code stamped. Hemi was J code until 70. No engine codes in the body stampings. It'll be plant, year, then the 6 digit S.O. number for 68 only. So it should read A8 254680

The 68 body stamping consists of:
1) Plant assembly letter A = Lynch Road, B = Hamtramck, E = LA, G = St, Louis, etc
2) 8 for model year 1968
3) A letter indicting the model line the same as the VIN R = Belvedere, X= Charger, W = Coronet, etc.
4) The last six characters of the SO number.

so for the OP, the body stamping should read A8R254680

 

[Demon 2048]

You need to check the body codes, as mentioned above. In this case the code should be A8R245680. If it is something else, then the fender tag is not original to that body.

The radiator support has on the left top surface A8R254680 stamped. This car is for sale in Chicago. I just don't want to fly up there and get taken for a $150K ride if my life! I also see the 8 that is stamped on the transmission and the one on the engine are a different font???? I'll call them and see what the trunk number is along with seeing if they have any other documentation on the car.

Thank you guys for all the help. I'm a NCRS Corvette guy that bought a new Demon. Trying to apply my Chevrolet knowledge to Mopar is the same in many areas. Have my mind set on a Hemi car. But that's why I joined this group to hopefully keep me from making a huge mistake.

 

[91r/t]

The 68 body stamping consists of:
1) Plant assembly letter A = Lynch Road, B = Hamtramck, E = LA, G = St, Louis, etc
2) 8 for model year 1968
3) A letter indicting the model line the same as the VIN R = Belvedere, X= Charger, W = Coronet, etc.
4) The last six characters of the SO number.

so for the OP, the body stamping should read A8R245680

View attachment 1381027

See what happens when I start work early.....I get automatically stupid haha! Good call on the correction. I forgot about the damn model line stamp in between. My car was stamped so lightly that the first two ( plant, model year) are non legible even with just the first coat of primer on the car. I can really only see half the R and then the 6 SO numbers after. Same with the trunk lip. Musta been in a hurry on Friday.

 

[Demon 2048]

See what happens when I start work early.....I get automatically stupid haha! Good call on the correction. I forgot about the damn model line stamp in between. My car was stamped so lightly that the first two ( plant, model year) are non legible even with just the first coat of primer on the car. I can really only see half the R and then the 6 SO numbers after. Same with the trunk lip. Musta been in a hurry on Friday.

Also the car has a Dana 60 in it and the fender tag shows AX=48. Should be an 8 3/4 with 3:23 gears? Am I missing something or has the rear end been changed?

 

[MarPar]

The radiator support has on the left top surface A8R245680 stamped. This car is for sale at VOLO Auto Sales in Chicago. I just don't want to fly up there and get taken for a $150K ride if my life! I also see the 8 that is stamped on the transmission and the one on the engine are a different font???? I'll call them and see what the trunk number is along with seeing if they have any other documentation on the car.

Thank you guys for all the help. I'm a NCRS Corvette guy that bought a new Demon. Trying to apply my Chevrolet knowledge to Mopar is the same in many areas. Have my mind set on a Hemi car. But that's why I joined this group to hopefully keep me from making a huge mistake.

Btw, the rear end in Moparland is called a Sure-grip, not a posi. Just a little note for ya to save you some grief.

Good luck on your quest!

 

[69Coronetrt]

Also the car has a Dana 60 in it and the fender tag shows AX=48. Should be an 8 3/4 with 3:23 gears? Am I missing something or has the rear end been changed?

Changed. Should be an 8.75 behind the automatic (code 5 on the bottom row of the tag)

https://www.hamtramck-historical.co...DataBook/1968/68_Plymouth_Engineering0025.jpg

 

[Demon 2048]

Btw, the rear end in Moparland is called a Sure-grip, not a posi. Just a little note for ya to save you some grief.

Good luck on your quest!

Thank you for the heads up.

 

[Super Rob]

The radiator support has on the left top surface A8R245680 stamped.

Uh, big red flag. ;-)

 

[Richard Cranium]

The radiator support has on the left top surface A8R245680 stamped.

Uh, big red flag. ;-)

How so? Here's the numbers on my 68 charger R/T which has the order number preceded by B8X which is on my VIN .....

B=Hamtramk
8=1968
X=Charger

The car he's looking at reads....

A=St. Louis
8=1968
R=Belvedere/Road Runner

 

[69Coronetrt]

Uh, big red flag. ;-)

Why? ....the body stamping should read A8R254680

 

[gtx6970]

no Dana avail in anything with an auto in 1968 and older.

But they were easily added and often considered an upgrade.

my 66 has one, And I have no intentions to ever change it

 

[AR67GTX]

Are there not any validation documents on the car verifying it’s real? Maybe not all, but many of these higher dollar cars have been inspected or judged and verified by someone already.

 

[Demon 2048]

I talked to the last owner who put $45K in paint and $35K in rebuilding the engine, trans, and Dana 60 through Kilpatrick racing engines. The paint was done by a well known local shop. The last owner said he owned it for six years and he was the third owner. I asked him if he had the names of the other owners and contact information and he said no, He did say all of the body panels were original an that the correct number was under the weatherstrip on the left side of the trunk rail. He said him and a friend checked the numbers on the engine and transmission, they matched but no Dave Wise type of verification. He said no build sheet in the rear seat was found when he did the paint work. No certi card or any other titles or bill of sales were available from him. I did ask him why he put so much money in the car and he said he wanted it perfect mechanically and to have a laser straight body.

Thus this is why I'm so interested in everyone's educated opinion on the fender and VIN tag and the engine/transmission stamp for it being the real deal. Car is stunning in the pictures but it may just be "lipstick on a pig" . Let me know your opinions please.

 

[Nxcoupe]

The engine and trans codes were hand stamped into rough casting when the 2 were bolted together. The difference in 'fonts' is due to stamping in cast iron vs aluminum. Like stated above, I owned one and that's how mine looked exactly. Sketchy looking but correct. Imho.

 

[Super Rob]

Why? ....the body stamping should read A8R245680

No. Have a look at the tag again.

 

[dadsbee]

Nothing wrong with the body stamps for a '68 Super Rob... they have pretty much nothing to do with the VIN tag.