68/69 inside door handles DATED?

[Terry F.]

Hi, I have been looking at some early 68 and 69 inside door latch handles and noticed they appear to be dated. Has anyone else noticed this or have comment on it. They have the part number on them but right next to the screw hole opening there is a 68xxx or 69xxx. Just wondering if this is considered in judging. Terry

[Dick W.]

Re: 68/69 inside door handles DATED?

The dating is not considered on these handles. The version, fat, no reinforcement, etc is what is judged.

[Terry F.]

Re: 68/69 inside door handles DATED?

Dick,
I believe I have some that are 69 with ribs that are dated 69. I would think that would make them unique to those years and should be judged as such. Can you tell me which came first for 68, thick or thin door latch handles and were any rib style handles used in 68? If you like I can send you some pictures of the dates on these handles. Terry

[Mike Baker]

Re: 68/69 inside door handles DATED?

Terry,

The thick handles came first, then the ones without the reinforcement. I have no idea if any '69 cars had the handles without reinforcement.

[Reba Whittington]

Re: 68/69 inside door handles DATED?

The thick ones with the rounded back are the first style; the ones with no center ribs are second; and the ones with two center ribs are last. And yes, all three styles were used during 1968 production. I don't think the dates can be seen when installed on the car, can they?

[Terry F.]

Re: 68/69 inside door handles DATED?

Date can be seen by pulling on the latch to the open position and then looking down the length of the back side of the handle. So many people have thrown theirs away for pretty new one's. Does anyone know the approximate cut off dates for when the various handle styles appeared. Thanks, Terry

[Terry F.]

Re: 68/69 inside door handles DATED?

The date is right next to the screw that attaches the handle to the door latch mechanism. I have some latches that have no dates. But, the early originals that I have collected off 68 and 69 cars have the dates on them. Interesting and possibly problematic for some.

[Reba Whittington]

Re: 68/69 inside door handles DATED?

At the time we revised the 1968-69 JG, we could not pin dates down for the reason you mention. Most have been replaced; many were done by dealers as the second design broke easily.

[Terry F.]

Re: 68/69 inside door handles DATED?

I think the numbers are a year date and a cast code of some sort. How they appeared in production is anyone's guess. Thanks, Terry