HELP - 1968/1969 Front Sheetmetal

[TEXASHOTROD]

I recently purchased a 1968 Satellite convertible at auction. I purchased it because of the small number production, and the condition of the running gear. I figured it was not a matching numbers car, and knew some major restoration was due. Once I got the car home and in the shop, I realized that the front fenders did not have the round side marker lights of the '68, but the oblong of the '69. I also noted that the grille was different. The fender plate was also screwed into the inner panel rather than rivets. I really need some help determining what I have here. I have owned several Mopars in the past, but never one quite this confusing. Do the '69 fenders and grille actually work on the '68? I have attached a couple of pics for clarification.

Thanks for any help.

TexasHotrod

 

[Pistol Pete]

The fender tag should be fastened with screw rather than rivets. That said, you do have a '68 fender tag anyway. The nose of the car (fenders, grill, headlight surrounds) is from a '69 which will physically bolt up. The question is: do you have a '69 with a '68 fender tag? Or do you have a '68 with a '69 nose ? The vin tag (which should be) riveted to the dash will tell the tale. The sixth digit should be an 8 or a 9, depicting the year of manufacture.

Oh and welcome to the board. Now go hit the newbie thread, newbie.

 

[TEXASHOTROD]

Thanks for the info. I was not sure about the screws or the rivets. I may have found some additional info as well. Crawling under her a little while ago, it looks to me like the front clip has probably been changed out as well. Has some strange gusset weld plates on it. As far as being a Newbie, I am probably old enough to be your dad...or even your Granddad....LOL..........but thanks anyway.

 

[74Satellite]

he was just razzing ya..he meant new to the website...was just saying stop over at the welcome wagon and say hi! You will find loads of information here so ask away!

 

[Pistol Pete]

Thanks for the info. I was not sure about the screws or the rivets. I may have found some additional info as well. Crawling under her a little while ago, it looks to me like the front clip has probably been changed out as well. Has some strange gusset weld plates on it. As far as being a Newbie, I am probably old enough to be your dad...or even your Granddad....LOL..........but thanks anyway.

Glad to help, there Pops. :icon_winkle: The gusseted weld plates you speak of are probably the torque boxes. Convertibles and hemi cars got them for added rigidity. For a quick rundown on '68 numbers....

The vin# (on the dash) will also be stamped on the engine and trans (if they are original to the car).

The sequence number, in your case 395286, as seen on the fender tag, will also be stamped into the radiator support and under the weatherstriping, drivers side trunk rail.

Now, the only thing that ties the body (fender tag, rad. support, trunk rail numbers) to the car (vin tag, engine, trans numbers) is the brodcast sheet, typically found under the rear seat. They can also be found in the seat back, behind a door panel, on top of the glove box or most commonly - not at all.

 

[Pistol Pete]

he was just razzing ya..he meant new to the website...was just saying stop over at the welcome wagon and say hi! You will find loads of information here so ask away!

What he said.

BTW The original color of your car was Frost Blue see below:


http://www.mopar1.us/chip/1968-plymouth-pc.jpg

 

[TEXASHOTROD]

Dang young-un you are good.......lol.......I knew you were razzing me and I was doing the same........Already been to the Newbie place too......I really appreciate the additional info......We had decoded the Vin, so I knew the engine was not correct either. I will also check those locations for the broadcast sheet. See this is why I wanted to get on this Forum, you guys are a wealth of knowledge. I should have known something didn't look right with the fenders and grille, but you get wrapped up in those dang auctions...and the Real world moves aside.

Thanks again for the additional info.

 

[Pistol Pete]

Dang young-un you are good.......lol.......I knew you were razzing me and I was doing the same........Already been to the Newbie place too......I really appreciate the additional info......We had decoded the Vin, so I knew the engine was not correct either. I will also check those locations for the broadcast sheet. See this is why I wanted to get on this Forum, you guys are a wealth of knowledge. I should have known something didn't look right with the fenders and grille, but you get wrapped up in those dang auctions...and the Real world moves aside.

Thanks again for the additional info.

Anytime my friend.

Oh, and you stole that car.

 

[Ron 73]

Dang young-un you are good.......lol.......I knew you were razzing me and I was doing the same........Already been to the Newbie place too......I really appreciate the additional info......We had decoded the Vin, so I knew the engine was not correct either. I will also check those locations for the broadcast sheet. See this is why I wanted to get on this Forum, you guys are a wealth of knowledge. I should have known something didn't look right with the fenders and grille, but you get wrapped up in those dang auctions...and the Real world moves aside.

Thanks again for the additional info.

LOL, Were not all nuts "POPS" Just helps to be, Im just one step of a gray squirrel on my porch waiting for me to come out with may grand daughter to sit in my oak rocker... who calls me Papa, POPS! lol... Welcome to B-Body haven... Ron.