I have a 68 with the tank sticker listing the paint as 81001XA primer and it also lists the trim as saddle. The car production is Jan 2, 1968, could this be a Pilot Car ? Any help will be appreciated.

 

Hi Ken,
Welcome! New member and first post!
Glad you're here!
I usually think of 'pilot cars' as being built early in the model year's production.
A January 68 built car would be in the 5th month of production.
A few cars certainly left St.Louis in primer or special colors.
The question at this point is what is stamped on the Trim Tag for Paint.
Regards,
Alan

 

The trim tag on the door jam has the Trim 420 Paint 001 build F02, this seems to match the tank sheet. What ya think ?

 

Alan I also have the protecto plate that matches the Trim tag and tank sheet

 

My 68 vert was built the day after yours. My vin ends 408178. Welcome to the forum.

 

Thanks Sully, mine is 8086 . I’m trying to figure her out.

 

Good luck with that. I've had mine since October of last year and I'm still finding out things that I didn't know about it when I bought it, but I'm having a great time doing it and I'm sure you will too.

 

Hi Ken,
Well all that indicates a car that appears to have left St.Louis in primer.
You're fortunate to have all the pieces to show that.
For some people though a 'primer' car is a blessing and a curse!
While it's interesting to see that deviations from typical production did occur, when having the car judged for originality by a group like the NCRS (an organization very interested in situations like your car) the car would need to be presented in primer.
Out of curiosity.. what color is it now and have you made any attempt to determine the color it was first painted?
How about a some of pictures of the 3 items?
Regards,
Alan

 

Trim tags for cars in primer usually said SPEC or PRIME. I cannot explain why your tag shows 001.

 

I hope you can see this, 420 trim ..001 paint date is F02 , this is early for saddle interior

 

the original color was 00..bronze, a very nice repaint in the early 90's shows well

 

Hi Ken,
Well!, that's a beautiful looking convertible.
Thanks very much for the pictures.
I'd like to add them to my collection if I may?
Regards,
Alan

 

with Alan. That is sweet. BK3

 

thanks for the compliments and please save the pics for future reference. Any thoughts on the primer and interior?

 

thanks, it has been well cared for. I purchased it in Jan. this year

 

Welcome to the '68 club - lots of knowledgeable '68 gurus here. If you have a question - they will have the answer for you.

 

Hi Ken,
I really don't know enough about production to understand how/why this car has a 420 interior.
I'm familiar with cars leaving St. Louis in primer, but how the saddle interior was available in January, I don't know, so I really can't help.
Chuck Berge is the 68-69 NCRS Team Leader. Perhaps you can give him a call, explain what you have, and hear what his thoughts are. 703-629-0206
Regards,
Alan

 

Neat!

Am I seeing larger than expected Trim Tag rivets?

 

hey War Bonnet I don't know if they larger than norm, what would that mean ?

 

Ken,

I compared your Trim tag photo to a picture of one of my cars trim tags and it "appears" that there might be a size difference? This very well could be a early 68 normal rivet, as I'm using a 71 photo to compare? That's why I asked or posted it as a question.