Pentastar

Author Topic: Pentastar  (Read 4785 times)

Offline Bart

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Pentastar
« on: April 08, 2004 - 03:43:39 PM »
I was talking to a mechanic at a Dodge Dealer who was working on 70 Plymouth’s in the days, he told me that the Pentastar was put on the right fender for cars that bought the 5yr warranty.

Anyone know if this is true?

Bart
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Offline js27

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Re:Pentastar
« Reply #1 on: April 08, 2004 - 04:42:17 PM »
Yes it is true that the pentastar was on the lower right fender but it had NOTHING to do with a warranty.
It came on all Chrysler--Plymouth--Dodge-from the mid sixties to the mid seventy.. I'm not really sure when it started or ended but my 67 GTX has one and so does my 70 Challenger.
AL
« Last Edit: April 08, 2004 - 04:46:16 PM by js27 »
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Offline Bart

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Re:Pentastar
« Reply #2 on: April 08, 2004 - 04:46:15 PM »
What did it stand for, as this mechanic has been doing his job working on Plymouth for 40 yrs....he's sure that this was only for cars tha got the warranty.

Thanks
« Last Edit: April 08, 2004 - 04:49:15 PM by Bart »
1970 Cuda 383
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2010 G37s
1996 Advantage Victory 27 502ci
2013 HD Roadking

Offline js27

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Re:Pentastar
« Reply #3 on: April 08, 2004 - 04:50:06 PM »
I'm not real sure but I do remember reading some thing about it. It had a meaning but I forgot it. Shame on me
I worked in a Plymouth dealership from 1973 to 1978 also and i do know it wasn't related to the warranty.
AL
1967 GTX
1970 Dodge Challenger R/T Conv.

lemonboy69

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Re:Pentastar
« Reply #4 on: April 08, 2004 - 05:05:56 PM »

My '69 'Cuda has 'em on both front fenders... and I HIGHLY doubt it's for a 5 year warrenty... base model Barracuda with a slant six... tune that engine once and you're set for 100,000 miles.... ::) ;)

LB

Offline 7challenger1

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Re:Pentastar
« Reply #5 on: April 08, 2004 - 05:17:15 PM »
my ex-girlfriend had one on her 98 Intrepid
Mopars...sucking gas and kicking @$$

Offline whitesatinmopar

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Re:Pentastar
« Reply #6 on: April 08, 2004 - 07:55:41 PM »
I thought they just came from the factory (passenger side only), but not sure what year they started doing this, and also not sure what the "star" stands for in it's origin? Hey CP you can clue is in anytime buddy,lol.
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Offline JS27N0B

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Re:Pentastar
« Reply #7 on: April 08, 2004 - 09:48:24 PM »
The pentastar on the right fender only started in the early-mid 60's and ended in the early 70's(cept the LH example mentioned). It had NOTHING to do with warranty as all the cars sold had the same warranty, providing it wasn't a Hemi car.

I had read it was for brand recognition from people on the sidewalk, as the car was driving by they could tell what company had made the car. Hence the reason for only being on the passenger side fender.

My 2¢ :)
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Offline FM3V6M

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Re:Pentastar
« Reply #8 on: April 09, 2004 - 10:25:20 AM »
JS27N0B is very knowlegable... I think he should be promoted to JS27R0B!

Offline 1973challenger360

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Re:Pentastar
« Reply #9 on: April 09, 2004 - 11:43:32 AM »
did it end in 71 or 72 (I think it was 72) my 73 doesn't have 1.
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Offline 6pkrunner

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Re:Pentastar
« Reply #10 on: April 09, 2004 - 12:04:13 PM »
The pentastar is used to represent the 5 divisions of Mopar in 1963. They were Imperial, Chrysler, Plymouth, Dodge and Valiant.
It was put into production on the passenger side fender in February 5 1963. It's only on the passenger side as to be visible by pedestrians on the sidewalk.

Offline js27

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Re:Pentastar
« Reply #11 on: April 09, 2004 - 04:34:10 PM »
Yes your right I brought the question up last night at our weekly club dinner. It did stand for the 5 division of Chrysler at the time and it ran from 1963 to 1972.
AL

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1967 GTX
1970 Dodge Challenger R/T Conv.

Offline JS27N0B

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Re:Pentastar
« Reply #12 on: April 09, 2004 - 04:38:45 PM »
JS27N0B is very knowlegable... I think he should be promoted to JS27R0B!

LOL, I wish it were possible ;D
1970 Challenger R/T Convertible 383/auto 1 of 516 *now sold after owning for 18yrs
2007 Chrysler Aspen Limited AWD
2013 Tige' RZR 343hp
2016 PCP Challenger SRT Hellcat


Offline kmccabe56

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Re:Pentastar
« Reply #13 on: September 09, 2020 - 10:53:32 AM »
Yes it is true that the pentastar was on the lower right fender but it had NOTHING to do with a warranty.
It came on all Chrysler--Plymouth--Dodge-from the mid sixties to the mid seventy.. I'm not really sure when it started or ended but my 67 GTX has one and so does my 70 Challenger.
AL

The Pentastar was only placed on the right front fender and its usage is traced back to the 1920s when wealthy car buyers would order a car with a custom built body.  In these instances, a car buyer would order the chassis which included the powertrain, all four fenders, hood cowl and lights.  THe body builder would then construct the body to place on the chassis and this builder would include their body builder's plate, which traditionally was located at the base of the right side of the cowl.  When Chrysler adopted the Pentastar as their corporate symbol, it was meant to incorporate the five divisions of the corporation.  Chrysler, Plymouth, Dodge, DeSoto and Dodge truck.  Given that the Pentastar was created about the time DeSoto went away, Imperial was substituted as the fifth element of the star.  Since cars built when the Pentastar came into existence didn't have exposed cowls,  the decision was made to place the star at the base of the right front fender. 

Any car which has a Pentastar on the left fender got it by the owner's choice or it was a mis-build at the factory.  There was only ever suppposed to be one on the car.

Offline 70chall440

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Re: Pentastar
« Reply #14 on: September 09, 2020 - 12:37:10 PM »
Since the Penstar is pretty covered here, it might be of interest that some Desoto models has its own pass side marker which was a very small rectangular block in the center of the side trim. It is very nondescript and is very easy to miss. I am told that they added it in 55 or 56 to piss off Chrysler (who owned them). I don't know what years had them but 56 definitely did.
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