Re: IML: IML Year ID question

["Bill Watson" <wwatson5@xxxxxxxxx>]

And I am sitting here with the 1981 Service Manual (RWD), and it shows three
selections for the second character :

B = Dodge
C = Chrysler
P = Plymouth

No "A" is listed   The 1982 and 1983 editions show "A" for Imperial.

The fifth digit shows "Y" for Imperial in all three editions.  And this
would not be the only time Chrysler has made errors in their service
manuals.  The 1967 Dodge car service manuals listed incorrect VIN engine
codes.

I do not have the parts book for 1981.  But, as Dick does, and he has owned
1981 Imperial(s), I would have to bow to his experience and knowledge.  So
all 1981-1983 Imperials have "A" for the second character.  Which does makes
more sense,

Do not know why Chrysler chose "B" for Dodge.  I do know that "E" was used
for Fargo trucks (export markets) up to 1987 and then for the Eagle.
Chrysler Corporation Vehicle Identification Plate for trucks of the
mid-1970's through 1987 (driver's door or post) lists Plymouth, Dodge,
DeSoto and Fargo trucks.  Perhaps "B" was chosen for Dodge to prevent
confusion with the DeSoto truck  (although I cannot find listing for a Make
code for DeSoto).


Bill
Vancouver, BC


----- Original Message ----- 
From: Dick Benjamin
To: mailing-list@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Sent: Sunday, January 16, 2005 5:41 PM
Subject: RE: IML: IML Year ID question


My information comes from the parts book for 1981, a copy of which I am
looking at as I type.

Regarding the second character in the VIN:

A is for ImperiAl.
C is for Chrysler
P is for Plymouth
And, B is for? - - - - - - - - - Dodge!?! (Bdodge?   Bodge?  Blewitagain?)

  I know Bill Watson is infallible, but something got lost in the
translation, I'm afraid.

Dick Benjamin

-----Original Message-----
From: mailing-list-owner@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
[mailto:mailing-list-owner@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx] On Behalf Of Mark and Theresa
Elliott
Sent: Sunday, January 16, 2005 4:27 PM
To: mailing-list@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Subject: Re: IML: IML Year ID question

The information that I got from Bill Watson a few years ago (when I was
building the Imperial Registry), said that an 81 is a "C" and 82 and 83s
are "A".  I haven't verified this independently.  If some one can prove me
wrong, please do so, so I can get the Imperial Registry and the VIN decoder
fixed.

Mark Elliott
At 12:46 PM 1/16/2005 -0800, you wrote:
>From: "Dick Benjamin" <dickb@xxxxxxxxx>
>Subject: RE: IML: IML Year ID question
>Date: Sat, 15 Jan 2005 17:29:29 -0800
>Reply-To: mailing-list@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
>Um... The second character will always be an "A" for an Imperial.  Lesser
>cars have lower characters (meaning further down the alphabet, of course,
>and not implying a difference in moral fiber at all).
>
>Dick Benjamin





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