year model confusion ????

[Jesus H Chrysler]

With a high sequence number it's very likely yours was one of the last 73's off the line.  Is yours an original H code car?  (BH23H)? or G code car (BH23G)?  that would let you know if it was an original 340 car and help explain why they kept building them.  No more 340's means get those puppies out the door before Chrysler got stuck with them!

[diyhemi.com]

A BH 340 car? Not too many of those around. I thought most 340 cars were BS and only available on the Cuda package or on the BP Gran Coupe

[Aus_Cuda]

Its a BS23H3 code.

[kissalien]

The 5th digit is a 3 and yes the title states it as a '73 model.
The number at the end of the vin is 576279, I've googled trying to find a way to reference this to a production run number but cant find anything. Would have been nice to know the start and end production numbers, that would explain a bit......

I'll just take it as an "end of run" '73 model.

Do you mean the 6th digit? The 5th digit is the engine code not the model year. What are the 5th and 6th digits?

[360 'CUDA]

I have a '73 BH automatic car with a H code engine also. It's has the A51 option with the double bump hood, bench seat with shifter on the column in Basin City Blue!! Interestingly It has the swaybars, AC and Magnum wheels too.

I think the '73s were definitely being pushed out the door with more 340s and performance hoods on 318 cars to use up the inventory as the writing was on the wall.  BTW my '73 340 car has a early production number...

[Aus_Cuda]

It would be nice to be able to reference the production number to a production model.
That way you could tell how close to the start or close to the end of the production run for that particular model.

I also have a 1934 Plymouth and from the body serial number I can tell exactly how close it was to the end of the production run.

[kissalien]

It would be nice to be able to reference the production number to a production model.
That way you could tell how close to the start or close to the end of the production run for that particular model.

I also have a 1934 Plymouth and from the body serial number I can tell exactly how close it was to the end of the production run.

Contact Barry Washington. He can give you more info. www.hamtramck-historical.com

Also, what does your door sticker say?

[Jesus H Chrysler]

A BH 340 car? Not too many of those around. I thought most 340 cars were BS and only available on the Cuda package or on the BP Gran Coupe

That may be a gap in my knowledge.  I know by 73 Dodge had dropped the JS (R/T) designation and the 73 Rallye 340 cars were JH23H3's.  At least mine was.  I vaguely remember reading Plymouth may have kept the BS designation but I'm not sure.

[Super Blue 72]

That may be a gap in my knowledge.  I know by 73 Dodge had dropped the JS (R/T) designation and the 73 Rallye 340 cars were JH23H3's.  At least mine was.  I vaguely remember reading Plymouth may have kept the BS designation but I'm not sure.

Challengers were different.  For '73 and '74 all the Challengers were "JH" cars with the "Rallye" becoming an option (A57) instead of a separate model as in 1972 for Rallye cars, 1970-1971 for the R/T cars.  Cudas still kept the BS designation through 1974 I believe.

[360 'CUDA]

 

What he said.

Unfortunately, Many of the '73 and '74 'Cudas (BS23) had the 318 two bbl engine. On the plus side though they all had the heavy duty suspension, front and rear swaybars, 'CUDA chrome, double bump hood ect.  The easy way to tell an original 318 'CUDA is they don't have any engine call outs on the performance hood.

                                                In many ways the '73 and '74 E bodies were better cars then the earlier ones. 
For Example, they all had modern style disc brakes, safer bumpers, electronic ignitions,  8 3/4 rear ends and V8 engines. Options on '70 to '72 Barracudas and Challengers.
 '74s had optional 360 engines, even more beefed up bumpers with reinforced roofs and modern style seat belts. Plus those wonderful seat belt buzzers everyone loves.

[360 'CUDA]

It would be nice to be able to reference the production number to a production model.
That way you could tell how close to the start or close to the end of the production run for that particular model.

I also have a 1934 Plymouth and from the body serial number I can tell exactly how close it was to the end of the production run.

True
You can get an idea on when a particular car was built but they assembled Darts, Valiants and Dusters on the same assembly line so even though your car is the 476279 car made, they only made roughly 47000 1973 E-bodies.
The other 440000 or so cars obviously being A bodies.
I can't believe there are many E-bodies with a higher VIN then yours from 1973.
 

[hotrod98]

As for the 73 and 74's being better cars. Think again. We've restored a few 74's and they were all built poorly. I've seen the rear dutchmans welded in a half inch off and the doors were installed with shims under the hinges. Looks like the fixtures were just plain worn out and they knew production was coming to an end so why replace or repair the existing jigs. The last 74 that I built had a dash frame that was made from two pieces welded together. That car had never been apart before so it absolutely was like that from the factory. It was a late build and I guess they were scrounging for parts. 

[diyhemi.com]

My 73 BH car had manual drum front brakes from what I can tell. Maybe because it was a very early 73 made on day 1 or 2 of 73 production

[360 'CUDA]

My 73 BH car had manual drum front brakes from what I can tell. Maybe because it was a very early 73 made on day 1 or 2 of 73 production

Nothing is impossible in the Mopar world. As far as I can tell the only option was whether you wanted a power booster or not. I have seen a couple of 'CUDAs that had drums installed for drag racing in Stock Eliminator but yours doesn't sound anything like that.

As for the 73 and 74's being better cars. Think again. We've restored a few 74's and they were all built poorly. I've seen the rear dutchmans welded in a half inch off and the doors were installed with shims under the hinges. Looks like the fixtures were just plain worn out and they knew production was coming to an end so why replace or repair the existing jigs. The last 74 that I built had a dash frame that was made from two pieces welded together. That car had never been apart before so it absolutely was like that from the factory. It was a late build and I guess they were scrounging for parts. 

Lots of problems were found on E bodies of all years. On 1970 Plymouths for example the early rear valances interfered with the rear spring hangers putting nice cracks and dents on the valances. Of course there was the hood crumple zone fiasco, ill fitting Trans Am hoods, shear panel rot ect.
(I put the pirate flags up for a reason)
I love them all don't get me wrong. As for shims, have you ever taken apart a late seventies Camaro??