{Chrysler 300} Special Request for 1962 Data

A special request to the owners of 1962 Chrysler 300H’s and any other 1962 Chrysler or Imperial:

I’m working on an Excel-based decoder for the VIN and Body Data Plate tags for all 1962-1965 Chryslers and Imperials. I have completed the 1963-1964 portion with a lot of help from my friends with those cars and am now trying to expand the coverage to 1962 and 1965 cars. Today’s focus is on the 1962’s and my request is for a photo or transcription of the tags on your car. Plus, information on the equipment and options actually on the cars. With this data and the order codes, I feel I can deduce what the numbers on Line 4 (under the letters on Line 3) refer to. Many of the numbers on Line 3 are 1’s or 2’s and that is the challenge. What a car does not have on it is just as important as what it does have on it.

Below is a checklist of order codes for Chryslers. I realize that not all of these codes will show up on the Body Data Plates/BDP/Fender Tags, but please check them off anyway. I have a special desire to see a BDP from a stick ’62 Chrysler to resolve the meaning of the number under the “H”. Data from cars or wagons with unusual options, loaded to stripper, would be much appreciated.

When completed, the decoder will be made widely available at no charge. When I get the 1962 portion well along, I’ll decode your car and send you the report. The VIN and BDP are decoded separately and the VIN is not required for a good report. It does make the report more complete and suitable for framing. A copy of the decoder report for our fairly well loaded ’64 300K is attached.

If you have trod this path before and have BDP decoding insight for any of the letter cars, please share that with me.

If you happen to have a ’62 Imperial, please advise as I have a different checklist for them.

Expect a similar request for 1965 300L’s and other 1965 Chryslers or Imperials.

Thank you in advance for your data. Photos or transcriptions of the plates plus a list of the Order Codes on your car would be most helpful. Ideas for inclusion or format of the report are solicited. Yes, I’m already thinking about going back to the 1955 cars. The 1960-1965 Body Data Plates have the same or similar format and the 1955-59 BDP’s are pretty simple. We’ll cross that bridge together when we come to it.

Rich Barber

1801 Redwine Terrace

Brentwood CA 94513-6000

c300@xxxxxxx

(H) 925-513-6583

(M) 925-783-4893

1962 CHRYSLER COMPONENT ORDER CODES
ON CAR	ORDER CODE	DESCRIPTION	ON CAR	ORDER CODE	DESCRIPTION
	342	TorqueFlite Automatic Transmission (?)		421	Clock, electric
	351	Power steering		428	Windshield washer dual jet
	352	Power brakes		429	Variable speed windshield wipers
	353	Power seat		431	Glass, all windows tinted
	354	Power windows		432	Windshield only tinted
	357	Power door locks – vacuum		433	All windows tinted with large shaded rear window
	358	Auto Pilot		442	Bumper guards rear
	362	Golden Tone radio		451	Wheel Covers
	363	Golden Touch Tuner radio		465	Chrome molding, door window frame
	364	Golden Tone radio including rear seat speaker		466	Drip rail cover molding
	365	Golden Touch Tuner radio including rear seat speaker		467	Chrome molding, door window frame & drip rail cover
	369	Radio rear seat speaker, with groups 321, 323		471	Sill moldings and stone shields
	371	Power antenna		482	Outside left remote control mirror
	381	Air Conditioner includes heater		492	Inside tilt type mirror
	382	Air Conditioner dual unit includes heater		506	Firepower 340. Single 4 barrel carburetor 413 Cu In, dual exhaust system
	383	Air Conditioner with groups 321, 323, 327 & 328 only		511	Closed crankcase ventilation
	385	Heater with defroster		522	Sure Grip differential
	391	Rear window defogger		532	2.93 axle ratio
	392	Tailgate entry assist handles		533	3.23 axle ratio
	411	Seat belts, 2, front only		611	Undercoating with underhood pad
	413	Air Foam Seats, front and rear		651	Factory New Car Service
	414	Padded steering wheel		652	Sold Car-Expedite