426 Wedge in a 66 Coronet?

[YY1]

You guys don't remember rushing to the dealer to see the new (next calendar year) models in late summer?

Even I remember that and I'm only 54.

 

[dadsbee]

You guys don't remember rushing to the dealer to see the new (next calendar year) models in late summer?

Even I remember that and I'm only 54.

No I don't, not in '65.. I was THREE... LOL

I don't think there was the "rush" to get the new model year out early like there is today. As I said above in the 80's and 90's it was always July / August when the panic was on for tooling changes and new designs when we supplied both Allied Signal and TRW with seat belt components that went into GM's. Honda and Camri were no different into the 2000's. I walked away from the plant in 2006, but they've worked their way to June now. Back then I still say it was probably October, since they picked that month to = A

 

[YY1]

Early and late production dates are fairly well documented.

Back then almost every MFG had their new models out at the same time, not like today when new models get introduced whenever.

That's why we remember oddities like:

64 and a half mustang

64 and a quarter Barracuda

70 and a half camaro



I just did a cursory FBBO search and came up with single digit September dates for "early" production.

Using that info, a mid November build could possibly ride the coattails of the "early build" window if you argued real hard and real good, or had a specific piece of documentation stating as such.

 

[dadsbee]

“We have often mentioned the excitement that used to exist within the industry regarding new model year introductions when there were ‘invited guests’ to see the new models in the September/October time frame each year. The windows of the dealership were covered with brown paper to hide the new models. The cars were parked out back and hidden from the public. I miss that excitement!

The practice of identifying automobiles by "model-year" started in the U.S. Alfred Sloan, the long-time president and chairman of GM, extended the idea of yearly fashion change from clothing to automobiles in the 1920s. The Great Depression prompted other U.S. OEMs to also start selling "next" year's vehicles in October of the preceding year. But this isn't a universal practice. Vehicles sold in Japan are classified on a calendar-year basis. Similarly, the U.S. model-year concept was never universally adopted in Europe. One exception is VW, which switched in 1966, but chose Aug. 1 to start selling next model-year's vehicles.

In later decades, the model-year (October-September) became entrenched in the U.S. as new-model advertising was coordinated to the launch of the new television season in September. "This allowed for a stronger marketing program by placing more resources in a concentrated timeframe," said Brenda Perez, manager, national fleet operations for Mazda.

Model-Year versus Calendar-Year

 

[YY1]

I wonder if H isn’t just for Hemi and it’s actually for cubic inches. I don’t know. But I do believe the car is an early production car since it was made in 65, but I don’t know when they would’ve been put out on the lots

H is just the next letter after G for 383.

Just a coincidence it's the first letter in Hemi.

Next year Hemi code was "J".

 

[Fran Blacker]

The new cars were debuted around Sept 15, if I remember correctly. After Labor Day people were back from vacation. Why display a new product during vacation time?

 

[YY1]

So if displayed at dealers in Sept or Oct, they had to have some built before then.

Those were the early production cars.

How far you want to stretch that term out is arguable.

Sometimes there's a change that occurred on a specific date that sets a hard boundary (albeit only for that change) between "early" and "late" production.

 

[Fran Blacker]

I should have said Sept/Oct, could have either but on second thought Oct. makes more sense. In 65 I was 16 that's a long time ago.

 

[Dave6T4]

When I was a kid, our county fair was either around the end of September or the beginning of October, I can't remember which. What I can remember, is that the local car dealers showcased their new models in one of the pavillions at the fall fair. I can still remember thinking the new 1959 Dodge Custom Royal 2- door hardtop was the prettiest car there. My dad's cousin bought the display car after the fair.

 

[Fran Blacker]

This article said Oct.1 as new model year. Didn't whole thing.
Why New U.S. Model Years Come Out Ridiculously Early

 

[dadsbee]

As I quoted above... basically the same article. October 1st WAS the target back in the day. I lived the nightmare and demand performances at TRW 26 mile in Detroit for way too many years, even though the seat belt facility I mainly supplied was on the other end of our street here in town. It was a long forking drive to be there for 7AM from here wearing a 3 pc suit... lol Got worse when they moved facilities to Renosa Mexico... but McAllen Tx does have some great strip joints!

 

[turbine68rt]

"My brother bought 'er brand new, September '57, that's when you got yer new models."

 

[YY1]

Is there anything else about the car that would be considered grounds for a "special order"?

 

[426Wedge1966]

Just the build sheets

 

[Al T]

I just received the report for my '66 Hemi Belvedere in October 2022. I put the request in in August 2022, so it really wasn't that bad of a turnaround.

 

[dadsbee]

I was told "by the end of the 1st quarter of 2023" or so that I sent in just before Christmas and she had my '66 HP2 back to me in a week. Still waiting on my '64 Dodge that I gave her the same day.

 

[Bryon]

Just for curiosity, is there a plate mounted to the drivers side inner fender or holes where one was there at one time? It would be about halfway between the firewall and radiator support. See the circled area of my picture for the plate. The plate, if there is one, would have relays mounted to it.

View attachment 1407274

Here’s a photo I snagged from a video I took while we were working on the car

 

[MCODECUDA]

Thanks. I see one of the relays mounted to the firewall so it definitely doesn’t have the Hemi style wiring harness in it. Hopefully FMC Historical has some info on it.

 

[khryslerkid]

Here’s a photo I snagged from a video I took while we were working on the car

View attachment 1409124

Working on what car? We're you working on the OPs car?

 

[Bryon]

Working on what car? Were you working on the OPs car?

Yes the OP is my brother we co own the car