Fender tag decode help

[hemigeno]

My question about the wheels or hub caps of the A04 code is that even though it isn't specifically coded for the Road Wheels on the fender tag, it may have come with them, and that would be coded on the Broadcast Sheet, but not necessarily on the fender tag.  I didn't realize that a package option also lists all the individual options of the package also, like power brakes and steering of the A04 code.

Your car could indeed have been equipped from the factory with Road Wheels instead of the "standard equipment with Sales Code A04" deep dish wheel covers - and while Sales Code W21 and other wheel part number references would always be coded on the Broadcast Sheet, it would never show up on the Fender Tag.

Also... Having a package like A04 did not change the rules for listing codes on the Fender Tag.  For instance, A04 Charger Radio Group did come with power steering and power brakes, but only Power Brakes were coded on the Fender Tag.  Power steering was never coded on the tag in '69 at any plant AFAIK.  Plus, if the car were optioned out with Power Disc Brakes, then both B41 and B51 would show up on the tag (at least at Hamtramck).  You would expect to see all of the options contained within that particular package -- which were normally found on a Fender Tag.  For A04, that meant the following:

Music Master Radio - Fender Tag code always listed (R11, R13, R21, R22)
Power Steering - Fender Tag code never listed (S77)
Power Brakes - Fender Tag code always listed (B51, or B41 & 51)
3-speed Wipers - Fender Tag code always listed (J25)
Wheel Covers (deep dish) - Fender Tag code never listed (W15)
Left Remote-Control Mirror - Fender Tag code always listed (G33)

While we're talking tags, I have a '69 Swinger, and although it's a V8, the only other options are the radio and 3-speed wiper.  It does have aluminum molding along the sides, which I usually see as a self adhesive rubber door ding guard, but this looks factory.  Dealer installed?  Did Darts have this?

I looked at the '69 Dealer Data Book and here is what it said about Dart Swinger (not Swinger 340) mouldings:

Drip-rail and body side molding optional... Body side sill molding optional.

Assuming that your VIN number starts with LL23, pretty well all of the moldings had to be coded in order for them to be included in what the factory installed - meaning there were no "standard equipment" moldings.  Here is the rundown of all the available '69 Dart Swinger moldings:

M07 "B" Pillar Molding -- Included when M15 was coded (not sure if this would be on the Fender Tag, or if this is even a 2-door hardtop-related option, but it's listed with "LL".  Probably 4-door Sedan only)
M15 Molding Door Upper Frame and Quarter -- Extra Cost Option (I think this should be a F.T. Code)
M21 Drip Trough Molding --  Extra Cost Option (this should be a Fender Tag Code)
M25 Sill Molding - Wide -- Extra Cost Option (this should be a Fender Tag Code)
M26 Wheel Lip Molding -- Extra Cost Option (not sure if this would be on the Fender Tag, don't think so)
M33 Body Side Molding -- Included only when Sales Code A48* was optioned


*Sales Code A48 -- Dart Decor Molding Group - includes M21 and M33** (not sure, but I think this should be on the Fender Tag)
** M33 only available in A48 Molding Group

The gist of all that information is if your car has body side moldings without A48 coded, I'm thinking the side moldings were dealer-installed.  Not too uncommon back then...