I need help with info about VIN/ ID / model of my 1968 Chrysler 300

[Jan-in-PL]

Hello from Poland everyone, regards from central Europe!

USA is the best place to ask! so....

I am not sure it this is the place but I was looking to find some confirmation that model I own is a TNT equipped Chrysler 300 from 1968.
This forum was the only one I have came across looking for an answer and had some usuful infos here

My questions:
1. What are numbers on a ID plate under the bonnet on a fender? It differs from my VIN, always thought its a VIN as well.
2. Where can I find secondary VIN location (if present)?
3. Is my engine TNT? (doesnt make me a any difference as i love the car) but would be nice to know.

Would apreciate any help thanks a lot in advance and sorry for my not so good english.

 

[MrMoparCHP]

In 68 the hidden numbers are not the VIN, likewise the VIN is not on the data TAG.
The hidden numbers will reflect the number that is on the data tag.

One of the numbers is under the weatherstrip by the left side trunk hinge
The other is under the cowl screen/hood seal near the left side.


Alan

 

[Jan-in-PL]

In 68 the hidden numbers are not the VIN, likewise the VIN is not on the data TAG.
The hidden numbers will reflect the number that is on the data tag.

One of the numbers is under the weatherstrip by the left side trunk hinge
The other is under the cowl screen/hood seal near the left side.


Alan

Thanks a lot, should I remove that cowl screen to see the number correctly?
Cant find anything under the weatherstrip, seems to me car is still in its original paint but I can be mistaken and someone painted it over

 

[MrMoparCHP]

Thanks a lot, should I remove that cowl screen to see the number correctly?
Cant find anything under the weatherstrip, seems to me car is still in its original paint but I can be mistaken and someone painted it over

Paint and or rust can easily fill them in, on this one (a 69) the cowl one was not detectable at all till I took a wire brush to it. The trunk one may have adhesive hiding it.

Alan

 

[Jan-in-PL]

Paint and or rust can easily fill them in, on this one (a 69) the cowl one was not detectable at all till I took a wire brush to it. The trunk one may have adhesive hiding it.

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Alan

Thank you, will try to find these in weekend. Is this number a VIN or one of the DATA numbers?
If these will be data - any chance VIN is stamped anywhere apart of the windshield plate on the dash??

 

[MrMoparCHP]

Thank you, will try to find these in weekend. Is this number a VIN or one of the DATA numbers?
If these will be data - any chance VIN is stamped anywhere apart of the windshield plate on the dash??

In 68 these are the SO number and not the VIN.
In 68 the VIN is NOT stamped anywhere else on the car.

1968 VIN locations
Dash VIN tag
Broadcast sheet
Window Sticker
Certi-Card


Alan

 

[MOVE N UP]

L code on the vin designates that this is a TNT 375 horse power 440 equipped car

 

[69CoronetRT]

Hello from Poland everyone, regards from central Europe!

USA is the best place to ask! so....

I am not sure it this is the place but I was looking to find some confirmation that model I own is a TNT equipped Chrysler 300 from 1968.
This forum was the only one I have came across looking for an answer and had some usuful infos here

My questions:
1. What are numbers on a ID plate under the bonnet on a fender? It differs from my VIN, always thought its a VIN as well.
2. Where can I find secondary VIN location (if present)?
3. Is my engine TNT? (doesnt make me a any difference as i love the car) but would be nice to know.

Would apreciate any help thanks a lot in advance and sorry for my not so good english.

View attachment 708106

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View attachment 708108

View attachment 708109

View attachment 708110

View attachment 708111

The L in the VIN and the 83 on the fender tag tell us this is the TNT 375 horse engine.

The 26 on the small tag is simply an inspection stamp. Somebody did their job, inspected something and punched the tag.

The purpose of the fender tag is a durable traveling marker so different people involved with the assembly know, generally, what paint, trim, brackets and holes need to be punched in the body. It also contains administrative identification numbers such as the Scheduled production date (202) and the remainder of the Sales Order (SO) number A25083. The SO starts with the letter A telling us the car was originally built for sale in Canada.

The numbers under the various letters help identify certain sales codes as to items that were on the car. Not all options are recored on the tag, Generally, again, only the options or moldings that require holes or brackets attached to the bare body are listed.

 

[Jan-in-PL]

The L in the VIN and the 83 on the fender tag tell us this is the TNT 375 horse engine.

The 26 on the small tag is simply an inspection stamp. Somebody did their job, inspected something and punched the tag.

The purpose of the fender tag is a durable traveling marker so different people involved with the assembly know, generally, what paint, trim, brackets and holes need to be punched in the body. It also contains administrative identification numbers such as the Scheduled production date (202) and the remainder of the Sales Order (SO) number A25083. The SO starts with the letter A telling us the car was originally built for sale in Canada.

The numbers under the various letters help identify certain sales codes as to items that were on the car. Not all options are recored on the tag, Generally, again, only the options or moldings that require holes or brackets attached to the bare body are listed.

Thanks a lot!!!

Could you please tell me what are the differences between regular 440 and 440 TNT? Apart of obvious visual things like an air intake.

Cheers

 

[Luke Pokrajac]

Thanks a lot!!!

Could you please tell me what are the differences between regular 440 and 440 TNT? Apart of obvious visual things like an air intake.

Cheers

Hey Jan!

375 HP 440 has a 268 degree camshaft in it...same as in the roadrunner 383. Standard 350 HP 440 has a 252 degree camshaft. Not much else but I think the 375 HP 440 has a windage tray similar to the roadrunner 383. Same 906 heads on all 383's and 440's in 1968. 375 HP 440 has the Carter AVS carburetor instead of the Holley 4bbl on the 350-440. Someone probably knows better than me on that one.

 

[69CoronetRT]

Thanks a lot!!!

Could you please tell me what are the differences between regular 440 and 440 TNT? Apart of obvious visual things like an air intake.

Cheers

The intake manifold is the same.
The cam and valve train. As stated above, the cam has different specs. The valve springs are stiffer to account for the cam.
Carb and distributor/timing set up is typically different.
Exhaust manifolds.

Check out the data book posted in the Hamtramck Historical library for more info.

The 1970 Hamtramck Registry - 1968 Chrysler Dealership Data Book - Index & Specifications

 

[cbarge]

AX 48 is 3.23 rear gear ratio with Sure Grip!

 

[CBODY67]

The 440/375 also got a factory dual exhaust, plus the dual norkle air cleaner.

 

[RemCharger]

Very similar to my Dad's survivor he had, but white vinyl and auto dimmer. Column shift, green guts. A/C and the PDB.
14.8 in the quarter with 50,000mi bone stock if anyone is wondering

 

[Fireflite56]

From your VIN:

CM = 1968 Chrysler 300
23 = Body, 2 door hardtop
L = Engine, 440 HP (TNT)
8 = Year, 1968
C = Production plant, Jefferson
233626 = Unique sequence number to car

From your data tag:

h7 = Fender mounted turn signal indicators
k7 = Passenger mirror
u1 = Sold car when built (someone ordered it)
w6 = Build to specs for Canada
N7 =
P6 = Rear seat speaker
Q9 =
R2 = Music master AM radio
X2 = Tinted windshield only
Y4 = Green vinyl top
1-4 = Sill moldings
3-0 = Body belt moldings
7-8 = Wheel lip moldings
AX-48 = 3.23 with sure grip
TRM M2X = Black cloth & vinyl bench seat
PNT FF1 = Frost Green Metallic
UBS 8 = Stripe delete
CM23 = 1968 Chrysler 300 2 door hardtop
83 = 440 HP (TNT)
5 = 3-speed automatic transmission
76 = 8.45x15 whitewalls
202 = Build date, February 2, 1968
A25083 = Unique sequence number to car

Hopefully, someone can fill in the few gaps and verify what I have.

The exhaust manifold you show looks to be the correct one for the TNT car. The advice on where to look for the sequence number is also correct. This number should match the sequence number from your data plate.

In '68, they started stamping numbers on the motor and transmission. On my December-built TNT 300, they were both together at the top of the rear of the block and the transmission bell housing right next to each other at the top. I had to clean some grease to read them, but they matched the last part of the VIN. This would determine/prove if your car is "numbers matching".

 

[MoPar~Man]

Q9 is Sentinel Lighting?

Would there have been a reason why this car wasn't built in Windsor - for sale in Canada?

 

[Fireflite56]

Q9 is Sentinel Lighting?

Would there have been a reason why this car wasn't built in Windsor - for sale in Canada?

I found the same thing for Q9 as well, but my '68 300 has that code with no Sentinel Lighting. This is how mine decoded:

b5 Folding arm rest (buddy seat), order code 485
h7 Fender mounted turn signal indicators
u1 Sold car when built (someone ordered it)
A1 26 in. radiator
D9 Front disc brakes
H2 Power locks
K8 Power windows
N8 Rear window defogger
P6 Rear seat speaker
Q9 Sentinel lighting
R2 Music master AM radio
S1 Air conditioning
X1 Tinted glass (all)
1 4 Sill mouldings
3 0 Body belt mouldings
7 8 Wheel lip mouldings
AX 48 3.23 rear axle ratio, sure grip
TRM M6X Vinyl bucket seats, black interior
PNT WW1 Polar white
UBS B Black horizontal stripe
CM23 1968 Chrysler 300 2 door hardtop
83 440 4bbl HP, 375 hp
5 3-speed automatic transmission
76 8.45x15 whitewalls
C07 Scheduled build date: December 07, 1967

Not represented above, but is on my car: Tilt/telescopic, headrests, reclining passenger seat, remote mirror, and day/night rear view mirror. Possibly power seat also, but I can't remember and the car isn't here to look at.

 

[MoPar~Man]

Hey, why doesn't this car have front disk brakes? I thought it was "the law" in Canada that anything with a 440 had to have them?

 

[cbarge]

Q9 is Sentinel Lighting?

Would there have been a reason why this car wasn't built in Windsor - for sale in Canada?

As part of the 1965 Autopact Agreement, All Chrysler models ( Newport Newport Custom, 300, New Yorker) were built in the U.S. starting in the 1967 model year since import tarriffs were lifted on US built cars coming into Canada.
Late June 1966 saw the last Chrysler roll off the Windsor line and the Canadian Windsor and 300 trim lines were gone as well.
U.S. Assembly plants did build cars that were spec'd and shipped to Canada.
Windsor did the same..build cars spec'd and shipped to the U.S.
Hope this answer your question.
Cheers

 

[MoPar~Man]

As part of the 1965 Autopact Agreement, All Chrysler models ( Newport Newport Custom, 300, New Yorker) were built in the U.S. starting in the 1967 model year since import tarriffs were lifted on US built cars coming into Canada.
Late June 1966 saw the last Chrysler roll off the Windsor line and the Canadian Windsor and 300 trim lines were gone as well.
U.S. Assembly plants did build cars that were spec'd and shipped to Canada.
Windsor did the same..build cars spec'd and shipped to the U.S.
Hope this answer your question.
Cheers

You speak of the Chrysler models - saying that none of them were made in Windsor? But what about Dodge and Plymouth?

Even in '67 there were interesting differences between US and Canadian Monaco's. But if all Chrysler's were built in the US, then presumably there were no such differences?

I've heard it said that all slab-era C-body convertibles were built in Windsor. But maybe that only applied to the Dodge's?