my 69 bee project, first born

[hot rust]

figured that would be a fitting name as i figure thats what the cost will be by the time it's finished. my first mopar project, rough but it's a true bee. gonna take a while but i hope it will be worth it. i have a couple questions i hope can be answered. 1st is that it has the fender tag missing and no build sheet i have found yet. is there a way to find out what the car came factory equipped with by the vin # only? motor is mia, is it better to use a date coded block to match the year or does it really matter as far as the value of vehicle because neither are #'s matching pieces? i know i have alot of work cut out for me and chances are it will never be sold. enjoy the pics and any help appreciated thanks hot rust

 

[Beekeeper]

Without the fender tag or build sheet it's impossible to know what the options on the car were. The vin gives info about body style,engine, assembly plant and sequential number of the car. As for a date coded block it's really not going to matter since the original drivetrain is gone do your self a big favor and put in a 440
you won't be sorry. There are some tell tell signs that will get you close to some of the options the car would have had.

 

[Superfreak]

You have a lot of work ahead of you that's for sure. Stay positive and keep the faith.

 

[hot rust]

question the interior of car is black however the door panels and rear seat have been dyed, they were originally saddle colored, however the headliner and all the dash is originally black no dye on them, isnt it feasable to say that if it was saddle colored inside these would have also been the same color? or i'm thinking someone swapped the seats and panels because they were in better shape and dyed them? the car is factory yellow in color. bench seat column shift,rally gauges no tach, no air. was repainted the t-5 bronze with black stripe. factory vinyl top. from looking i have discovered this much about it.

 

[Beekeeper]

What's the finish of the black on the dash frame? Smooth,textured ect.

 

[hot rust]

What's the finish of the black on the dash frame? Smooth,textured ect.

will have to look tomorrow to make sure? didn't appear to have been refinished though

 

[Beekeeper]

If it was yellow originally it was probably a black interior

 

[Superfreak]

Y2 yellow.

 

[Dennis H]

Y2! All the best in your journey. Maybe the first born OF the first born will be required too.

 

[Big D A12]

You have a big project in front of you. At the end of the day, you will stand back and see the fruits of your labor and have a beautiful car. Don't get frustrated during the process, it will be time consuming and is going to take some dollars.

If you share a few more pictures, the membership here will be able to help you identify any options that are on the car. Pictures of the engine bay and trunk will help. Looking at what you have posted so far, this looks to be a Lynch Road car. Is the VIN WM23H9AXXXXXX? If so, the fender tag would not have helped you in identifying many options regardless.

I would build this car how you want. The missing tag and documentation will affect value since you only have the dash and body VIN to verify the identity. If you do want to go back OEM date coded, it is going to take some digging, but it could be done.

Good luck on your project.

D

 

[BigBlock61]

It looks like it will be a good project car for ya. Don't let it overwhelm you as that can easily happen with projects in the shape that yours is in. It's just one piece at a time. I'm doing the same type of project but mine is only a Coronet, not a true Bee. Good luck and keep us posted.

 

[hot rust]

thanks guys, i had already decided to build it like i wanted because of so much missing. big d why on a lynch road car would it possibly not have had much info on the fender tag? just curious. i have collected a few parts over the years in order to build a car, 440/727, excellent trunk pan and miscilaneous bits and pieces, big block manifolds and such. also have a aar/340t/a original air cleaner that i have kept for over 15 years as trading stock on some parts for the bee, just not sure what yet? or it may be better just to sell it and spent the money where needed. i do this work for a living so the work doesn't consume me. at the end of the day it's still just sheetmetal and a welder. working on finishing up 2 of my other projects a 55 chevy hdtp and a 74 cheyenne super 10 4x4 pick up. the car is a customers and the trucks mine. when i sell the truck i hope to be able to move along on the bee but the next one in line is a 69 chevelle convertible, have almost everything found and bought for it, engines done, have to build tranny, differential's finished, starting on the chassis this week. nos fenders arizona doors, so it should go quick. i will get pics of the bees trunk, under hood and other areas when i clean it up this week and post them up then. thanks guys for all the support and help

- - - Updated - - -

Y2! View attachment 294904 All the best in your journey. Maybe the first born OF the first born will be required too.

dennis i would not doubt that one bit!!!! very nice r/t by the way.

 

[Big D A12]

HR,

Lynch Road tags are different than the other plants. The LR tags focused on the construction of the body and paint colors. Just a hand full of option codes appear on the tag. The build sheet dictated the remaining options.

Is the car from Lynch Road?

D

 

[hot rust]

HR,

Lynch Road tags are different than the other plants. The LR tags focused on the construction of the body and paint colors. Just a hand full of option codes appear on the tag. The build sheet dictated the remaining options.

Is the car from Lynch Road?

D

from decoding vin yes it's a lynch rd car,starts with wm23h9a. 383,and y2 paint, only know about the paint because of factory overspray. big d what did you see that made you think lynch rd car, options or lack there of?

 

[Big D A12]

In one of your pictures there is a detail that is unique to Lynch Road. It can be a quiz for the members here to see if anyone else spots it.

D

 

[Dennis H]

In one of your pictures there is a detail that is unique to Lynch Road. It can be a quiz for the members here to see if anyone else spots it.

D

Is it the air freshener?

 

[hot rust]

is it the rear finish panel or the steering wheel? seems as though i had read somewhere that some of them weren't blacked out or is the wheel an option or is it even correct for this car?..... i think i found it is it the shoulder belts?

 

[Dennis H]

Mine is a Lynch Road car and has the belts too. I thought all 69's had them. I'm all ears waiting for D to confirm.

 

[Super Rob]

Paint OK stamp in glove box?
Front seat belts were mandatory in cars built after 69-1-1.

Good luck with your project!

 

[Big D A12]

We have a winner!!! Super Rob wins the prize....which there is none.

Lynch Road used the paint inspection stamps in 1969. There was an interior and exterior inspection stamp. The exterior inspectors stamp is on the right fender at the radiator core support bracket and the interior is in the glove box. Good eye Super Rob!

Hot Rust - Front shoulder belts were mandatory on the 1969 cars as mentioned. The steering wheel is an option available for this car (S81). The tail panel on Super Bees is blacked out, other models are not. Same with the grille.

Dennis H - I didn't even see the air freshner. LOL.

HR, when you post more pictures of the trunk and engine bay we will be able to help out more.

D