1964 Trim Tag

[Ed S.]

Just received the 1963 - 1964 Judging Manual and am comparing trim tag criteria to my '64 (and am a bit nervous). All the info on my trim tag is consistent with the JM except two entries, exterior color and STYLE year.

Page 48 (under the body color code chart) JM states, "All 1964 Paint Codes end with the letters AA". Mine ends with one "A" not two. Under the 1963 body color code chart it states "All Paint Codes end with the letter A". Pic of my trim tag is attached. please excuse the sharpness of the image

This is an AO Smith body - and all other info (VIN, engine # etc) do not indicate or suggest anything unusual or suspicious that would imply that the tag is not original. There is no question that this is a 1964 car and it was always Daytona blue - overs-pray in the doors is all dark blue.

Could / is the JM wrong on this one point? Is this going to be a problem for me during any judging?

Also, the JM states that the year (64) should appear as the first two characters after the word STYLE - but I have found credible references that state that AO Smith bodies did not include the year as part of the STYLE code. Note that my Style code does not include the year. Again, is the JM incorrect or do I have a problem?

[Keith B.]

Re: 1964 Trim Tag

Looks like a very typical Dow Smith tag to me. If you have any further doubt the NCRS trim tag book is a good read

[Ed S.]

Re: 1964 Trim Tag

Keith - thanks for your comment, it looks "normal" to me too - but the JM comment regarding two As got my attention. Wondering how other judges would treat this difference.

[Bill L.]

Re: 1964 Trim Tag

Ed:

Page 28 of the Sinor / Grenning trim tag book states that 916A is indeed correct for a Daytona Blue AO Smith bodied car --- (single "A" for AO Smith cars). The double "AA" is in the St. Louis column in the book.

I can't make a call on the judging manual veracity but it would be well worth spending the few bucks to get the "Authentication Library" Volume One book on trim tags -- it has saved me a lot of sleepless nights with regard to trim tags ---

The 64 section of the book is rather long and quite detailed so it is not really possible to decode any further given the info provided on your trim tag --- but do consult the book --- it should clear up any concerns quickly ---

Hope this helps a bit ---

Regards
Bill

[Page C.]

Re: 1964 Trim Tag

The style 867 in your case for a convert. or 837 for a coupe is also typical of an AO Smith tag without the "64" model year shown.

[Ed S.]

Re: 1964 Trim Tag

Bill, Page,

Thank you very much for your comments. Will sleep better tonight. It appears that the JM is incorrect, at least on the one A vs. two A issue. Ditto on the '64 not appearing on AO Smith tags.