Joined: Thu Jun 20 2013, 12:20PM
Location: Rapid City, SD
Posts: 42
Updated - 3/4/2016.
Hello all, I have been doing a little research since 2012 on sunroof cars, mainly b-bodies, but have expanded into the e-body and c-body realm. I can answer a few questions for you pertaining to several threads in various forum sections.
The M51 code is correct for the power sunroof option, but it was not put on most fender tags for 69-72 vehicles (there are exceptions). It was indicated on the broadcast sheet. The best way to identify a true 69-72 sunroof car is by the VON on the fender tag (Again, there are some exceptions). For 1969 Chargers, Moparjohn is correct - the VON starts with 928xxx. But for 1971-72 cars, the VON starts with a G.
For 1971, St. Louis sunroof cars had a VON of G99xxx. For Hamtramck, Jefferson Ave, and Lynch Road cars, the VON for Chrysler products is G00xxx. (I have come across a few 1971 sunroof c-bodies whose fender tags did not follow this VON convention - but the sunroof should always be coded correctly on the buildsheet). The VON on Imperials is G01xxx, and the VON on Furys is G03xxx.
For 1972, the St. Louis sunroof cars once again used G99xxx for the VON. But I have seen a 72 Barracuda VON that starts with G20xxx, and a 72 Charger VON that starts with G70. I have not run across any 1972 sunroof Chryslers or Imperials yet, but Furys retained the G03xxx VON designation.
Up through 1972, cars that were designated for sunroofs were partially assembled, then pulled from the line and sent to American Sunroof Corp for the sunroof installation. Once the sunroof was installed, they were shipped back to the factory for final assembly and prep.
For 1973-74 B-bodies, ASC provided Chrysler with a manual sunroof kit that could be installed on the assembly line. For these years, the M52 code (manual sunroof) finally made it on the fender tags, and the VONs did not start with G.
But for 1973-78 C-bodies, I believe the sunroof remained Powered, which possibly means that they were still shipped off to ASC for the install. And if so, VONs for 1973-78 C-body sunroof cars should still start with a G. I have come across a few 1973 sunroof Chryslers and Imperials, and it looks like they finally started putting M51 on the fender tag.
As for production numbers - I don't have any hard numbers for C-Bodies. The production numbers I have for B and E bodies number in the few hundreds - very rare. I would guess that C-bodies would be even more scarce. Here are a few numbers that seem pretty solid and agreed on. 1969 Chargers - 391. 1970 Chargers - 175. 1970 Challengers - 197. 1971 Challengers - Around 50. 1971 Satellite/RR/GTX - Less than 360. 1972 Challengers - 130. 1972 Barracudas - Less than 100.
I would be very interested in hearing from any of the C-body sunroof owners that are on this site, or anyone else on this site that has knowledge on this particular topic. Maybe with enough collaboration, we can unravel some of the mysteries on these cars.
Thanks for enduring my lengthy post! Scott in SD.
1971 Plymouth Satellite Sebring Plus GB7 318/904 sunroof car G99131 1971 Plymouth Satellite Sebring Plus GY8 318/904 car 1977 Dodge W-150 Warlock 2007 PT Cruiser Touring
Joined: Wed Nov 10 2010, 04:57PM
Location: Victoria, BC Canada
Posts: 324
i have owned 2 1978 sunroof chrysler new yorker salons, both had the m51 code and an ASC sticker. the sunroof booklet was identical to the one that came with a 73 buick riviera sunroof car i had as well
Joined: Thu Jun 20 2013, 12:20PM
Location: Rapid City, SD
Posts: 42
Thanks marko for the response. Those Salons with power sunroofs are few and far between. According to my Chrysler literature, the New Yorkers still came with a power sunroof in 1978. Is that what was in your two cars? Also, you mentioned the M51 code on the tag, do you remember if the Vehicle Order Number started with a letter, or was it just all numbers? Thanks again! Scott.
Joined: Thu Jun 20 2013, 12:20PM
Location: Rapid City, SD
Posts: 42
Thanks for chiming in 73nyorkerbroughm. I have seen so very few 73 and up power sunroof C Bodies - its hard to say anything definitive about the sunroof option on these cars. Have you posted any pictures of your car yet? Thanks, Scott.
Joined: Thu Aug 16 2012, 07:58PM
Location: Massachusetts
Posts: 16
Sorry no pics yet, its heavily optioned and i have the interior out for floor pan repairs, any idea where to get weatherstripping and welts for the sunroof?
Joined: Thu Jun 20 2013, 12:20PM
Location: Rapid City, SD
Posts: 42
73nyorkerbroughm wrote ...
Sorry no pics yet, its heavily optioned and i have the interior out for floor pan repairs, any idea where to get weatherstripping and welts for the sunroof?
Last known supplier of these older sunroof parts: Kelley's sunroof parts out of Laughlin, Nevada. 702-298-3166. Let us know if he was able to help you. Thanks, Scott.
