Wow, I didn't know that they date coded the fenders. I assume this means remove them from the car and they are stamped somewhere? I am four hours from the car. I only have what the owner has sent me. I am very doubtful that it has SCO bucket seats. He has not found the build sheet, I don't know where else SCO would be shown, but the trim tag said it should be split bench.
You don’t have to remove them from the car, are passenger side, fender, part number and day code, or behind the overflow tank under the hood. The driver side will be located by the water, washer bottle bolted to the fender. See examples.
Beyond the date codes on the fenders, you also need to verify they are 1971 fenders. That means the date codes have to be stamped a certain way and you need to see if the fenders have, or do not have, alignment holes between the fender skins and inner fender brace. You also need to verify that the fender skins are not “flat” on the top, but are curved correctly. Duane
Fenders consisted of two stamped metal panels spot welded together. BOTH panels were date coded, and sometimes the dates matched, but were usually off by a week or two. Outer panel was stamped at bottom behind wheel arch. Look for bumper spacers on the rear axle. These were specific to big block cars, and are clue that car may have been originally 455 equipped (but won't prove Stage 1 option sadly).
350 vs. 455 stuff to look for: Throttle cable code if the sticker is still present (it was one of the most durable) or length Correct date code 3.42 Posi Rear end code (yes, a 350 or 455 could've been ordered w/performance axle/posi but good S1 circumstantial evidence Rear end bump stop limiting brakets (455/S1 only) Accelerator pedal (no provision for TH350 kickdown Original TH400 kickdown switch/wiring Original 455 style battery cable block Correct firewall plug for 350 kickdown cable Correct air cleaner bracket Correct fan shroud Surely there's more...
Seller posted it on FB a couple of hours ago. Caveat emptor. Asking price seems in the ball park given the condition. If you can DIY a restoration or make it a driver then this is your opportunity.
Well you guys beat me to the announcement It is the same car on facebook marketplace. I did not buy it. I thought it was a beautiful color combination, Really was really was only interested at this price if I knew it was a stage. I actually have over a dozen 50s to 70s cars and very little time to do my least favorite thing- body repairs. Anyway, I wanted to thank all of you for being so helpful in my quest. I appreciate the time and effort so many of you put into helping.
It is the same car. The pictures posted on FB that I didn't see here give me a better idea of what exactly it is. I think the price is within reason even if it isn't a Stage 1. I wrote previously what I suspect it is from the pictures. I am not going to change my opinion.
