1963 Dodge 330 Government Car

This interesting specimen of a 1963 Dodge 330 crossed eBay not so long ago (Apr.2007). First, I noticed the "999" paint code and the odd green, which I figured would be a great addition to my 999 Paint Code page. As I was nabbing a copy of the fender tag I noticed the "601" Body code. "601"?? what? long story short, I grabbed a bunch of the pictures and here they are.

The seller listed the item with little information other than he thought it might have been an ex-Army vehicle. The "189" car number appears on the dash as well as on the rear finish panel next to a taillight.

The "601" body code indicates that this is a Dodge V8 ("6"), fleet car ("0"), with a two door sedan body ("1"). Although the call-outs indicate this to be a "Dodge 330", "Dodge 330 fleet" would be a better description. The side of the car lacks the standard 330 trim that follows the high trim line the length of the car on regular 330s. Though the body code is "601", The VIN would have started "603" ("3" being a 1963 year indicator).

The "999" paint code simply means it was a special order paint color. Maybe for the Army, or maybe for the forestry service, or something like that. The "694" interior trim code is for a gray and black interior. pictures below highlight the complete lack of garishness of the "694" interior. This appears to be less ornate than even the regular 330 trim for non-fleet cars.

Police car? Similar to a police car, but not a bonefided police car. Police cars used a "9" in the second position of the VIN and the body code would be a "691" for a police car ordered as such. It was not treated to any typical police car fixins, the pictures below point that out. It could have been a detectives car, but quite often, even slant six detective's cars carry a police car VIN designation.

The other fender tag codes reveal nothing special, a Torquefite Automatic for a V8, a regular heater with defrost, and some kind of mirror option (although no side mirrors are present). The lack of an engine code on the fender tag indicates that a 318-2v was standard for a 603 car. A "403" car would have come with with a 225 six.

Dash shows "189" car number.

Shows "694" Back/Gray interior door panels and a lack of an outside left mirror.

Nothing special here, just a 318-2v, alternator bracket looks like a regular 45amp alternator, not a Leece Neville Police alternator bracket.

Some interesting fender tag codes

No certified speed-o...

plain bench seat.

rear profile. note the remains of "189" car number next to tail light housing.

side profile.

 

If you know anything about this car, or if you have some other fleet, taxi, or police car, we'd love to hear about it. So contact us!