Re: [Chrysler300] Re: Fwd: [FWDLK] 2005 Chattanooga Chrysler & Imperial Meet

[lettercars@xxxxxxx]

Hi Mike and All:
Seems like a pretty good idea to ask if you don't know the answer and would 
like to!  The first reference Chrysler makes to "Lettered Bodies" on their 
Engineering Model Charts is for "V" series, which is the 1964 Model Year.  I have 
seen body designations a little earlier, I am sure, but can't lay my hands on 
them at the moment.  Anyway, to answer your question:   "A" bodies are the 
compact cars---Dart and Valient thru 1976
                "B" bodies are the intermediates---Belvederes, Coronets, 
Chargers, Cordobas, 
                    etc. thru 1978.  (The 1979 Cordoba---and 300---were 
designated as 
                    "R" bodies, even though they still had the longitudinal 
torsion bars.)
                 "C" bodies are the large ("full size" or "regular size") 
cars like the Chrysler
                      Newport/Newyorker, Plymouth Fury, and Dodge 880, 
Monaco, etc. thru
                      1978.  I remember witnessing the last "C" body built at 
Jefferson---as I 
                      recall a cream colored Newport.  Someone had put a flag 
in it as it pro-
                      ceded down the line.
Hopefully, the above is helpful.  Prior to the early '60s a car's wheelbase 
was generally used to group by size.  The later 1970s and '80s saw an increased 
complexity in the lettered body designations.  Just a few are:
                "E" body---"New" Barracuda/Challenger  1970-74
                "F" body---Volare/Aspen (transverse torsion bars) 1976-1980
                  "M" body----LeBaron/Diplomat (F body with different sheet 
metal) 1977-?
                "L " body----Omni/Horizon (First front wheel drive) 1978-1991 
I think!
                  "J" body---- New Cordoba/Mirada/Imperial 1980-1982            

                "R" body----NewYorker/Newport/St. Regis/Gran Fury 1980-82
                "K" body----Relient/Aries 1981-?
 I think I will stop here, as the Relient/Aries was my last major assignment 
at Chrysler.  FYI  Jefferson Assy, where all our lettercars were built, was 
the lead plant for K Car launch and production.  Interesting times!!!!   

Well, as they say, be carefull what you ask for----you might get it!  Hope 
the above is helpful.  
300ly, Gil Cunningham


[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]



------------------------ Yahoo! Groups Sponsor --------------------~--> 
Help save the life of a child.  Support St. Jude Children's Research Hospital's
'Thanks & Giving.'
http://us.click.yahoo.com/6iY7fA/5WnJAA/Y3ZIAA/8LmulB/TM
--------------------------------------------------------------------~-> 

To send a message to this group, send an email to:
Chrysler300@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

For list server instructions, go to http://www.chrysler300club.com/yahoolist/inst.htm 
Yahoo! Groups Links

<*> To visit your group on the web, go to:
    http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Chrysler300/

<*> To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to:
    Chrysler300-unsubscribe@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

<*> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to:
    http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/