Viewing a thread - 1961 Newport body/trim tag decoding (2024)

66sprint200

Posted 2011-09-26 1:35 AM (#290313) Subject: 1961 Newport body/trim tag decoding

Member

Posts: 5

Hello everybody. I'm trying to help a friend and I stumbled across your forum. We just bought a 1961 Chrysler Newport 4 door, which needs a bit of love (and some very hard to find parts, lol). Well, I've figured out the vin, but now I'm at the fender tag and I can't find the codes online somewhere.

Here is the tag's data.

SO NUMBER-0626 1242

BODY-813

TRIM-709

PAINT-WW1

Than the option codes are these--E2, N1, R1, T2, V1, X3, and Y8. Thanks for your help, Michael.

Edited by 66sprint200 2011-09-26 1:43 AM

61Newport413

Posted 2011-09-26 11:35 AM (#290338 - in reply to #290313) Subject: Re: 1961 Newport body/trim tag decoding

Veteran

Posts: 143

Location: Atlanta, GA

I also have a 61 Newport 2 door hardtop and can help a little.

The SO (shipping order) number starts with the date, yours is June 26, that the car is planned to be built. The next four numbers denote some order for that day's build. My numbers are 0501 (May 1) and 8888 (mine was a special order car). The body code 813 is for the Newport. I don't know the 709 Trim code, but it is the interior color (mine is 888, again a special order for red leather). The paint code is for the color that is Alaskan White (same as mine). For the others I would have to look at my decoding. I am sure someone like Bill-Chrycoman will weigh in and they know this stuff by heart. Tell us more about the car.

66sprint200

Posted 2011-09-26 4:50 PM (#290373 - in reply to #290313) Subject: Re: 1961 Newport body/trim tag decoding

Member

Posts: 5

It needs a bit of love. Several of the hard to find bits are busted (headlight switch, a/c & heater switch, taillight lenses), and some are just missing (wiper arms, the curved stainless on the passenger door, low beam retaining rings), and some of it is just weird (somebody has put coupe seats in so they don't bolt down all the way). Other than the lights and the gas gauge everything works as it should. The rot is minor. The only rust through is 1/8 inch on the hood near the center, 2 inches at the bottom of the passenger fender and 2.5 behind the driver wheel on the quarter.

It's great fun to drive. It's a 361CI V8, push button transmission, but the last owner went a bit free for all with the exhaust is rather loud. The exhaust consists of factory exhaust manifolds, factory y-pipe, big red cherry bomb, than about 1.5 feet of pipe. Than there's the body roll, OMG. lol I got into the Chrysler after driving my 1966 Sprint 200 Mustang, and it felt more or less like I was trying to steer the Titanic. But the car gets lots of looks and comments from people. If I new how to add pictures I would add a photo or 2.

The options that I have decoded are T2 the "GoldenTone Astrophonic Radio", and V1 the Solex tinted glass all around the car.

Edited by 66sprint200 2011-09-26 5:02 PM

Chrycoman

Posted 2011-09-27 2:24 AM (#290427 - in reply to #290313) Subject: RE: 1961 Newport body/trim tag decoding

Expert

Posts: 1819

Location: Vancouver, BC

SO NUMBER-0626 1242
SHIPPING ORDER NUMBER where 0626 is the scheduled build date - June 26, 1961 (late production)
1242 -

BODY-813
8 - Chrysler
1 - Newport
3 - 4-door sedan

TRIM-709
70 - Style - Cloth & vinyl upholstery
9 - Colour - Cerise

PAINT-WW1
W - Roof - Alaska White
W - Body - Alaska White
1 - Paint Scheme - Monotone

E2, N1, R1, T2, V1, X3, and Y8 - for the ones I know -

E2 -
N1 - 311 - Air conditioner with heater
R1 -
T2 - 422 - Astrophonic Radio
V1 - 441 - Tinted glass, all windows
X3 -
Y8 -

61Newport413

Posted 2011-09-27 10:40 AM (#290438 - in reply to #290313) Subject: Re: 1961 Newport body/trim tag decoding

Veteran

Posts: 143

Location: Atlanta, GA

They do handle a little differently than smaller cars. New suspension bushings, balljoints, and shocks can improve things a lot. If they haven't been replaced ,the age has done them in. I have stock dual exhausts with the 413 engine with dual four barrell carbs and solid lifters. My car has enough exhaust noise (sounds great and really roars at WOT) and I don't think I could take a cherry bomb. wizard

Posted 2011-09-28 3:45 PM (#290578 - in reply to #290313) Subject: Re: 1961 Newport body/trim tag decoding

Board Moderator & Exner Expert 10K+

Posts: 13060

Location: Southern Sweden - Sturkö island

I'd say that a very normal thing to do here Michael, is to thank Bill for his effort. Obviously you saw the detailed answer but for you it wasn't even worth a thank you????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????? 66sprint200

Posted 2011-09-29 10:07 AM (#290660 - in reply to #290313) Subject: Re: 1961 Newport body/trim tag decoding

Member

Posts: 5

I'm sorry "wizard" but I think that what you said and how you said it is extremely rude and uncalled for. Sorry if I can't rush to my computer every 5 minutes because I'm in class (I major in automotive restoration at McPherson College) or helping somebody fix their car or at work. Now I ALWAYS thank anybody that is willing to take their time to stop and help me. And this case will be no exception.

I would like to say a big thank you for helping me decode part of the tags. Hopefully someday this car will be back to it's former glory.