QuestionQUESTION: I'm looking at a 1966 coronet deluxe. the door post vin is WH23E67106781 however the chrysler certicard on the front by the headlights says WL45E67139450, and the fender tag reads 90208276 WH23 H4B EEI E. the glove box door says 440. is this car a frankenstein? what is restored value? thanks for all assistance.
ANSWER: Steve,
My Mopar production option book shows that you probably don't have a Frankenstein,just different information in different places. Here's what I found:
The door post VIN indicates this is a 1966 Dodge Coronet 2 door hardtop with a 318 V8 built in St. Louis Mo. The last 6 digits are simply the production sequence number.
You've given me only part of the fender tag but it's consistent with the door tag. The first numbers are the scheduled production date and shipping order number followed by vehicle description and options codes.
The certicard shows the VIN number at top; trim, paint, transmission, axle etc. in the second row.
The 440 on the glove box simply indicates this is the 440 series Coronet, a mid-line model.
A total of about 95000 2 door hardtops of all models were produced in 1966 so this is not an exceptionally rare car but still one which deserves preservation.
Valuations can be tricky as mileage, condition and rarety of optional equipment can vary widely. For a good ballpark, go to the "Classics" section of the NADA blue book website. Also on line is the complete vin decoding information so you can place more flesh on the bones of the car description I provided. Finally, looking in the Dodge section of Hemmings Motor News can also give you a good idea of Market Value for the car.
Good luck on this fine MOPAR!
Bob
---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------
QUESTION: shouldnt the door post and the certicard #s match?
AnswerHello Steve,
Hello Steve,
Yes, Certicard and Door Post should match. However, I think you may have a wrong or erroneous Certicard on your car. "WL" codes indicates a Coronet Deluxe and 45 indicates a 6 passenger station wagon! Certicard should match the VIN tag on the door.
Most of these Certicards were hand-generated at the dealership so clerical errors were common. Additionally, the card may have been misinserted at the dealership or even swapped over the past 40 years. Virtually anything is possible on an old car!
In 1966, the first 8 letters/numbers on your fender tag are not VIN numbers, just production order date. There were no VIN on the fender tags in 1966.
On your door pillar, in addition to WH, 23 indicates 2 door hardtop, E is 318 V-8, 6 is 1966,and the remaining indicate plant of manufacture and production sequence number. This is your VIN number.
I have heard of Certicard errors in the past and I think you have one. The door pillar and fender tag seem to match on your car. I'd use them.
Bob
