Re: Correct hardware color 1965 Chrysler 300 convertible

To tell which country the car was built in, all you need do is check the VIN. From 1960 through 1964, plus 1965 in the U.S., the 4th digit from the left is the letter for the assembly plant that built the car. Canadian-built 1965 cars used an 11 digit VIN and the assembly plant code is the 5th digit from the left.

Codes 1 through 7 are for the assembly plants in Detroit, Newark, St.Louis and Los Angeles. Code 8 is the for Wyoming Avenue plant (used by DeSoto 1937-1958) where CKD units were prepared for shipping to various parts of the world. The CKD units were generally painted in the country they were destined. I say "generally" as the type of parts stuffed in the box varied by the company ordering the car. And the CKD units usually received a special plate mounted on either the cowl or the front inner fender with the make, model, colour and, of course, serial number.

Cars built for export in plants other than code 8 usually had the normal VIN as used in the U.S.

Code 9 was for the Windsor assembly plant.

Chrysler Canada imported a number of models over the years from the U.S. In the 1962-1965 era imported models included convertibles (1962 Plymouth Fury, 1962 Dodge 440, 1962 Chrysler Newport, 1962-1965 Chrysler 300 and 300 letter), wagons (1962--1965 Chrysler Town & Country), as well as 1962 Chrysler New Yorker models and 1962-1965 Imperial and 300 letter models. 1962-64 Dodge 880/Custom 880 models, 1962 Dodge Lancer, 1962-early 1964 Dodge Polara 500 and Plymouth Sport Fury, 1963-65 Dodge Dart and 1965 Plymouth Belvedere / Dodge Coronet were not built nor sold in Canada. Although you could order any model built in the U.S. - just be prepared for the import duties and various taxes as well as the Canadian dollar being worth US$0.925.

All models imported by Chrysler Canada from Detroit came in the same colours, upholstery, engines and optional equipment as built for the U.S. market. Although there is one 1962 Plymouth imported from the U.S. that appears to have a special order Canadian 313 V8. Whoever ordered that car must have paid a little extra for the engine, on top of all the other extra added costs.

Bill

Vancouver, BC