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This page is relevant only to 300C and D models.
The factory data plate is a rich source of information about the car to which it is
attached. It is imprinted when the car is ordered and corresponds to the factory record on
microfiche. There remains the problem of deciphering the data stamped on the plate, for
codes changed every year, and the idea itself of uniform coding had not been formed .
Codes after 1962 can be easily obtained from the MoPar "guru" Galen Govier, but
for earlier years it’s a different question. Thanks to Wayne Graefen,
a 300C specialist and editor of the 300C Handbook, we offer the following guide to reading
data plates. They are applicable to all Chrysler-builts of 1957 and ’58.
The plate is riveted to the crosspiece that braces the radiator, on the passenger side.
It may be missing or attached somewhere else as a result of work done on the car, such as
painting. The example illustrated is from car 3N2251, the 300C convertible that was
exported to France when new.
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M |
D |
L |
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P |
N |
T |
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T |
R |
I |
M |
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S |
C |
H |
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I |
T |
E |
M |
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5 |
6 |
3 |
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A |
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6 |
0 |
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0 |
4 |
2 |
9 |
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1 |
5 |
0 |
5 |
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3 |
3 |
3 |
3 |
3 |
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3 |
3 |
3 |
3 |
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3 |
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3 |
3 |
3 |
3 |
3 |
3 |
3 |
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1 |
6 |
3 |
2 |
2 |
5 |
4 |
4 |
5 |
4 |
4 |
3 |
3 |
4 |
3 |
4 |
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2 |
1 |
1 |
2 |
5 |
4 |
2 |
2 |
5 |
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7 |
8 |
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5 |
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2 |
5 |
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5 |
6 |
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| B |
O |
D |
Y |
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S |
O |
/ |
F |
O |
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2 |
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A |
B |
C |
D |
E |
3 |
3 |
3 |
3 |
3 |
3 |
3 |
3 |
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6 |
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5 |
4 |
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3 |
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1 |
0 |
8 |
1 |
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3 |
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In Black : Prior to entry of production information. In red : codes of 3N2251.
How to decipher:
1° line: MDL = model . PNT = Paint. TRIM = upholstery. SCH =
schedule date (1st or 2 numbers are the month, 2nd two numbers are the day) . ITEM = ?
2° line: codes refered to 1 st line.
3°, 4° et 5° line: options; the double rows of smaller numbers are to be read
from top to bottom. When a third number is printed in a vertical column, it indicates the
car was produced with that option code item, i.e 327, 328 etc...
4° line: BODY = body number (1958 = VIN). SO/FO = Special order/Foreign order . Here the
3N2251 has a number (1330) because it's an export model
CODES:
MODEL (MDL).
563 = 300 convertible ; 566 =
300 coupé
all convertibles have always 3 on last number, 2 dr H/T have 6 /
see also 57/58 Imperial data plate.
PAINT (PNT): See below. Code Z
and code ZZ were both used to indicate special order colors (factory colors or owner
specified special mixture)
| 1957 |
1958 |
| A |
Jet Black |
AAA |
Raven Black |
| B |
Horizon Blue |
BBB |
Stardust Blue |
| C |
Regatta Blue |
CCC |
Air Force Blue Poly |
| D |
Sovereign Blue Metallic |
DDD |
Midnight Blue |
| E |
Seafoam Aqua |
EEE |
Spring Green |
| F |
Parade Green Metallic |
FFF |
Cypress Green Poly |
| G |
Forest Green Metallic |
GGG |
Mandarin Jade Poly |
| H |
Mist Gray |
HHH |
Aztec Turquoise |
| J |
Gunmetal Gray Metallic |
JJJ |
Spruce Green Poly |
| K |
Charcoal Grey Metallic |
KKK |
Satin Gray |
| L |
Desert Beige |
LLL |
Winchester Gray Poly |
| M |
Shell Pink |
MMM |
Mesa Tan |
| N |
Copper Brown Metallic |
NNN |
Sandalwood Poly |
| P |
Gauguin Red |
OOO |
Tahitian Coral |
| R |
Regimental Red |
PPP |
Matador Red |
| S |
Sunset Rose |
RRR |
Shell Pink |
| T |
Champagne Gold |
TTT |
Garnet Maroon Poly |
| U |
Deep Ruby Metallic |
UUU |
Bamboo Yellow |
| V |
Saturn Blue |
WWW |
Ballet Blue |
| W |
Indian Turquoise |
XXX |
Ermine |
| X |
Cloud White |
ZZZ |
Champagne Gold |
TRIM : 60 = beige
genuine natural cowhide leather (exclusive to 300)
ITEM : no infos.
SCHEDULE DATE (SCH): determined at the
factory.
BODY: N/A
SO/FO: In most case, an export model. .The
microfiche confirms that the 3N2251 car left the factory 04/26/57 and shipped to
France 05/01/57.
OPTIONS: See below. The red one are showed on the 3N2251 data plate Some codes are not
shown on the data plate (325, 393, 541, 572 etc..) but only on the micro-fiche.
1957 Options |
1958 Options |
| 265 |
? |
303 |
6 way power front seat ($ 101.90) |
| 315 |
Antenna / twin rear manual |
304 |
Power windows ($ 107.60) |
| 319 |
Radio music-master |
327 |
rear shelf speaker (N/A conv). ($ 15.10) |
| 321 |
Radio Electro-touch tuner |
334 |
Power antenna ($ 25.80) |
| 322 |
rear shelf speaker (N/A conv). |
341 |
A/C, rear unit ($ 540.10) |
| 323 |
Heater - custom conditionaire |
342 |
A/C, Deluxe, dual ($ 688.60) |
| 324 |
Defogger (N/A conv) |
345 |
Heater Custom Conditionaire ($ 93.30) |
| 325 |
Power brakes |
347 |
Instant Heat gazoline heater (N/A with AC) ($ 158.45) |
| 326 |
6 way power front seat |
359 |
Crank case vent cleaner (export) |
| 327 |
Power steering |
375 |
EFI "Electrojector" Bendix |
| 328 |
Power windows |
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| 331 |
Vanity mirror (factory) |
381 |
License plate frame |
| 332 |
Solex Glass |
394 |
Defogger (N/A conv) $ 20.85 |
| 334 |
Mirror - tilt type (factory) |
397 |
Cruise control Auto-Pilot($ 88.10) |
| 335 |
Mirror - left outside rear view |
399 |
Différential Sure Grip ($ 51.70) |
| 336 |
Windshield washer (factory) |
401 |
Mirror - left outside rear view (manual) ($ ?) |
| 344 |
A/C model 900 ( need 323 ) |
402 |
Mirror - left outside rear view (remote control) ($ 13.80) |
| 345 |
Highway HI-FI 16-2/3 rpm turntable (need Electro-Touch Radio) |
403 |
Mirror - right outside rear view (manual) ($ ?) |
| 348 |
Rear window - upper portion shaded, 2 dr H/T |
405 |
Vanity mirror ($ ?) |
| 349 |
Dual headlights |
441 |
Music Master Radio + antenna ($ 99.80) |
| 351 |
Power antenna |
443 |
Electro-touch Radio + antenna ($ 124) |
| 352 |
Instant Heat gazoline heater (N/A with AC) |
467 |
Solex Glass ($ 15.90) |
| 353 |
Stone shields on rear quarter panels |
481 |
Stone shields on rear quarter panels ($ ?) |
| 354 |
License plate frame (factory) |
553 |
Axle ratio 3.31 to 1 |
| 355 |
Generator 40 A Heavy Duty |
578 |
Generator30 amp (# 1842601) |
| 361 |
Manual antenna |
591 |
Export tool kit |
| 393 |
Tubeless Tire repair kit |
592 |
Tubeless Tire repair kit |
| 402 |
export model |
605 |
touch-up paint (?) |
| 541 |
Mirror - right outside rear view |
612 |
export |
Convertible coupe top
| 221 |
Black |
| 222 |
Ivory |
| 223 |
Blue |
| 224 |
Green |
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