missing fender tag help

[challenger_affair]

Hey All, new to the site here and I see lots of knowlegible folks so I'm hoping for some help.  I'm looking at buying back 1970 383 RT that I owned in the early 90's.  It currently has no fender tag and the current owner told me the body shop, in all their wisdom, lost it when they repainted it.  Luckily, I just found a piece of paper in my 'files' with all the code information that I must have written down way back when.  The vin# I wrote down matches the vin on the dash and the radiator support (not sure about any other locations).  And I have yet to confirm the engine block and trans have matching #s with the vin.  I don't know if the original broadcast sheet is still present anywhere, although I have little faith if the same shop did the interior work...

I see the significant value in the fender tag for these cars.  But I have a feeling the current owner is likely to give me a better deal than I might get elsewhere because of our history and based on what I can see being offered elsewhere, its probably my best chance financially at getting back into a quality 1970 Challenger. 

So I have 3 questions: Do you think this car is still a good investment without a fender tag? how much might I be able to leverage it in price negotiation?  similar questions in the event the block and/or trans don't have matching #s

Thanks so much for any help! Cheers

[7071 challenger]

I think that, it is still a good investment, but the price has to be lower if you compare with a similar car with a fender-tag on. Same thing with the engine. The more you have matching number parts, (engine, tranny, cowl, rad support), the more the value increase. You didn't provide the VIN...  If it is an original R/T, the first two digit of the VIN must begin with JS. If it begins with JH, it is a base Challenger. Then, the 3rd and 4th digit are going to be 23, (hardtop), 27 (convertible) or 29 (SE). The fifth digit is your engine code. The smallest engine in an R/T is a 383 magnum, (N), followed by the 440 Magnum (U), 440 six pack (V) and finally, the Hemi (R). Your 6th digit is for the year (O=70, 1=71, 2=72, ect...), and the 7th digit is the assembly plant, (Probably "B" (Hamtrack) or "E" (Los angeles). The last 6 numbers are only a sequantial with no meaning.  If by any chance, you can find a broadcast sheet, you can have a fender-tag re-make. I never had one re-made, but I know you can if you provide the broadcast sheet or the original window sticker.

Robert

[challenger_affair]

Thanks Robert, I really appreciate your information.  I'm not optimistic the broadcast sheet exists because the current owner also had interior work completed...  Do you know if a broadcast sheet is required to get a fender tag replica? 

This evening I found a decoder website http://www.stockmopar.com/mopar-fender-tag-decoder.php and entered the information I had originally copied down from the fender tag.  The results are below.  There are only a couple that don't make sense.. 

E63   383-4 Barrel
D32   H-D A-727 TorqueFlite Trans / Some Years A-998
JS23   J = Dodge Challenger S = Special 23 = 2 Door Hardtop
NOE   N = 383 330HP OR 335HP 1-4BBL 8 CYL 0 = 1970 E = Los Angeles, CA, USA
107156   Sequence Number '107156'
FC7   Paint Code: Plum Crazy Purple / In-Violet Irid
H6X9   Trim Grade/Style/Color H = High 6 = Vinyl Bucket Seats X9 = Black
000   Upper Door Frame: Full Door Panel
925   Date Built: 9 / 25 / 1969
061385   Order Number: 061385
FG7   Roof Type OR Color:  Unknown At This Time
A04   Basic (Radio) Group
A62   Rallye Instrument Cluster
C16   Console w/ Buckets
G55   Unknown At This Time
G33   Left Hand Outside Mirror - Manual / Chrome
J25   3 Speed Variable Wipers
J45   Hood Tie Down Pins
M21         Roof Drip Rail Moldings
N41   Duel Exhaust w/o Tips
N42   Chrome Duel Exhaust Tips
N85   Tachometer
N95   Nox Exhaust Emission Control
R11   Music Master Radio AM
V5X   Black - Mouldings - Protective Insert Body Side
END   End of Codes

I'm now pretty sure the G55 I wrote down should be C55 as that would put it in the proper sequence with the adjacent codes, and the car does have bucket seats.  The one I can't seem to find anywhere is FG7, can you or anyone help with that?? 

This gives me confidence because the results are consistent with all the options I know to have existed when I had the car way back when...  And it matches the dashboard vin and radiator support vin

[Jamiez]

Odds are that's FC7 which is the same color as the body, that would mean the car didn't have a vinyl roof, but had a roof that was painted body color. 

[ragtopdodge]

I think you wrote G55 wrong.  It's probably C55, which is bucket seats.

You can get a repop tag w/the info you have.  datatags.com

It doesn't have any unique options on it or crazy color (like N96 or FM3) nor is it a four-speed car, so I think even w/a repop tag, it's worth the same pretty much as any 383-RT auto car with or w/o a tag.

[ragtopdodge]

Also, it's FC7 for the roof.  IN other words, you had no vinyl top.

You're fortunate to have the info.  I'd definitely pass this info to the guy who owns the car.  He should get the tag made if you don't buy the car.

[Cuda Cody]

FC7 and C55 are correct as others have said.  The build date and order number look to be correct.  Just order a tag from datatags.com and give them the info. 

[challenger_affair]

Yes, it looks like in the case of both questionable codes I mis-took "C" for "G".  I'm still getting a kick out of the fact that I thought to copy this information down back in my wreckless youth, then somehow hold onto it for so many years... 

Anyway, thanks again for all the help, this really helps me understand the situation.