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'55 Chrysler 300 / Decode
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Hyfire
Posted 2017-09-06 5:40 PM (#547862)
Subject: '55 Chrysler 300 / Decode



100252525

 

 Hey guys!

 

  I got this sheet from FCA yesterday.  I had a 30 year old copy, but this copy is MUCH easier to read.

  Can you guys help with decoding? 

 

 

 



Edited by Hyfire 2017-09-06 5:46 PM
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56D500boy
Posted 2017-09-06 5:51 PM (#547863 - in reply to #547862)
Subject: RE: '55 Chrysler 300 / Decode



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Hyfire - 2017-09-06 5:40 PM I got this sheet from FCA yesterday.  I had a 30 year old copy, but this copy is MUCH easier to read. Can you guys help with decoding? 


That is a VERY clear copy. I wish mine was that clear. Presumably that will be easy for somebody (Chrycoman?) to figure out.

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Hyfire
Posted 2017-09-06 8:15 PM (#547866 - in reply to #547862)
Subject: Re: '55 Chrysler 300 / Decode



100252525

Yeah! I think Chrysler has upgraded how they output these things. I had old copies that had large sections out of focus. When I had seen other members get cleaner looking copies I figured it was time to try again. Both my '58 and '55 300 sheets look much better.

I'm hoping someone here can shine some light on this car's details!
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56D500boy
Posted 2017-09-06 8:49 PM (#547868 - in reply to #547862)
Subject: RE: '55 Chrysler 300 / Decode



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Son of a B*tch. I don't know if this is true but your serial number is the same as what was supposed to be the first C300 off the line in Detroit, at least according to this:

C68-300 = 55 300, First SN = 3N55- 1,001 The engine number (1005) looks to be the 4th or 5th if they started at 1000 or 1001.

(Chrycoman will correct me, as needed).

Edited by 56D500boy 2017-09-06 8:52 PM




(55-56ChryslerModelsAndSerialNumbers.jpg)



Attachments
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Attachments 55-56ChryslerModelsAndSerialNumbers.jpg (237KB - 143 downloads)
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Hyfire
Posted 2017-09-06 9:56 PM (#547871 - in reply to #547862)
Subject: Re: '55 Chrysler 300 / Decode



100252525

Thanks for posting that page!

Yes, it's Vin #001. Both Vin#001 & #002 were pre-production pilot cars, built to race at Daytona. Regular production didn't start until March 3rd. I know there has to be some information in this sheet and on the tag that is worthwhile... I'm just hoping you guys can help decipher it!
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56D500boy
Posted 2017-09-06 10:53 PM (#547877 - in reply to #547871)
Subject: Re: '55 Chrysler 300 / Decode



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Hyfire - 2017-09-06 9:56 PM Thanks for posting that page! Yes, it's Vin #001. Both Vin#001 & #002 were pre-production pilot cars, built to race at Daytona. Regular production didn't start until March 3rd. I know there has to be some information in this sheet and on the tag that is worthwhile... I'm just hoping you guys can help decipher it!


I can't do it but hopefully others can. When I saw the "Less Undercoating" thing, I thought "Hmm...somebody wanted a lighter car". Racing would do that.

Congrats on owning 1001!!

The pre-production thing probably explains why so much of the card has hand-written info on it.



Edited by 56D500boy 2017-09-06 10:56 PM
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Hyfire
Posted 2017-09-07 2:25 PM (#547917 - in reply to #547877)
Subject: Re: '55 Chrysler 300 / Decode



100252525

 

  I'm very curious about the heater.  I think it shows a heater, correct?   I know that an aftermarket heater was installed in 1955.  I have no idea why they would remove the factory heater and then install one. PLUS the car has a factory heater delete plate on the firewall that was modified for the aftermarket one.   I'm thinking it may not have come with a heater from the factory?  I just don't know why it would be on the IBM card (if it is)?

 



Edited by Hyfire 2017-09-07 2:32 PM
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Chrycoman
Posted 2017-09-07 5:19 PM (#547927 - in reply to #547862)
Subject: Re: '55 Chrysler 300 / Decode



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Well, you can't get much lower than #1!

Numbers for serial numbers and engine numbers are always INclusive. Meaning if they say the serial number sequence is 1001 to 2724, the first car is 1001 and the last is 2724 - and total production is 2724 less 1000, or 1,724. 2724 was the last serial number for the C300 series - 3N55-1001 to 3N55-2724.

The engine was the 5th engine built. (1001 being the first and thus 1005 is the 5th).

Don't have much code information for the 1950's, but there is not much for options. Transmission, axle ratio, heater, special tires, paint (Platinum white) and that's about it. No power equipment, radio, A/C, etc. Whatever they could to keep the weight down, by the looks of it.

Interior trim is 50 but I have no codes for the 300 - just the US Windsor and New Yorker.

The car was built on February 10 and shipped February 14. The "8" in the tracer column supposed to mean Shipped. In the top right hand corner is the beginning of the Shipping Order Number (Scheduled build date and daily sequence number). The 208 is supposed to be either the 208th day of production or the 208th day since production began. But 1955 production began on October 1, 1954, so February 10 would be the 133rd day since October 1. Could be for February 8, but would need to find out how they handled October, November and December.

Historical services would be the only source that could decode the region and dealer codes as they were internal numbers and not for public consumption. Region "1" I suspect is the Detroit area. Those two numbers would tell you who ordered the car and who would be paying for it.

Wondering what the "1" means in the column next to "New Car Service". That section covers what happens to the car once they drive it out of the plant. Being the #1 off the line someone from Engineering probably grabbed it and things went from there.

The 1955 Chrysler 300 was announced to the public on February 10, 1955. The first car off the line was done in Platinum White with the next ten done in Tango Red. All had tan leather upholstery. The third colour available was black. Imperial wheel covers with a checkered centre design were used with wire wheels optional.

I believe the historical services have acquired the new digital microfilm readers. They really are an improvement! The Toronto Reference Library had them when I was in Toronto and the Windsor Public Library had ordered a couple. Windsor's old microfilm readers were on their last legs and they did not want to spend money on repairs. Also, instead of printing a copy of the image, with the new readers you can save the image(s) you want on your flash drive.

Hope this helps.

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Hyfire
Posted 2017-09-07 7:11 PM (#547930 - in reply to #547862)
Subject: Re: '55 Chrysler 300 / Decode



100252525

BILL!!!! THANK YOU FOR THE HELP! This kind of info is just what I was hoping for!

The "8" is supposed to mean shipped, which is very interesting. Also, 02/08 would make sense for a schedule date.

The body number is listed as 1201. 300s were built in the Imperial factory, so was this the 1201st coupe body, or do you think they started bodied at 1201?

Regarding the sold to... #001 was sold and sent to San Juan Motors of Daytona. Chrysler used San Juan Motors as their home base during Daytona Speedweek. The owner Brewster Shaw and his Father before him were staples at these events. The dealer code is for this dealership and I've got a small section of the San Juan paperwork when the car was resold the week after.



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Hyfire
Posted 2017-09-07 7:17 PM (#547932 - in reply to #547930)
Subject: Re: '55 Chrysler 300 / Decode



100252525

Here are copies of my 1970's versions.  I'd imagine you don't see the bottom roll markers like this anymore...

 

  They obviously didn't include the details you gave, so I REALLY appreciate your help!  THANK YOU!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



Edited by Hyfire 2017-09-07 7:40 PM
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56D500boy
Posted 2017-09-08 6:32 PM (#547998 - in reply to #547930)
Subject: Re: '55 Chrysler 300 / Decode



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Hyfire - 2017-09-07 7:11 PM Regarding the sold to... #001 was sold and sent to San Juan Motors of Daytona. Chrysler used San Juan Motors as their home base during Daytona Speedweek. The owner Brewster Shaw and his Father before him were staples at these events. The dealer code is for this dealership and I've got a small section of the San Juan paperwork when the car was resold the week after.


Interesting 300, 300B, etc. story at allpar:

https://www.allpar.com/cars/chrysler/chrysler-300-at-daytona-beach.h...

I presume that you are looking for the original 1005 engine based on this article:

https://bringatrailer.com/2015/06/07/the-first-ever-1955-chrysler-c-...



All 7 pages of your thread on the jalopy journal are very interesting. Good photos too.

https://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/threads/help-chrysler-300-raceca...




Edited by 56D500boy 2017-09-08 6:59 PM
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Hyfire
Posted 2017-09-08 8:35 PM (#548002 - in reply to #547998)
Subject: Re: '55 Chrysler 300 / Decode



100252525

I know just where engine 1005 is... haha... Sadly! Lee Petty swapped engines for the big NASCAR Grand National and when he left town he took the 1005 block and the original air cleaner with him. His left this car with his New Yorker block and all the 300 bolt-on parts.

Lee continued racing and eventually junked the car out back of the shop. Eventually, with all the cars building up back there they dug a pit and dumped all the old decomposing cars into it.... That's the story I heard. When asked about that, Richard alluded to that being true and said the car is gone for good.

Both of those links are full of disinformation. The Jalopy Journal one is correct.
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