68 chalk marks bulkhead behind pass seat

[Charles F.]

When the interior was pulled from my 68 L-36 with A/C and M20, chalk markings were uncovered behind the carpet on the bulkhead behind the passenger seat which appear to say:

2-1 A.T.
A.C.


What does it mean ? The car came with the tank sticker and it is definately a 4 speed, not automatic. When during the production process would the marking have been placed ? Have a real good picture of it, but can't figure out how to post.

Chuck Faillace

By the way, mistakenly posted this on the help section of the TDB; was trying to figure out how to post the picture but got aggravated. This is a re-post in the proper place

[Chuck S.]

Re: 68 chalk marks bulkhead behind pass seat

Placement of chalk marks was probably done early in the assembly process, but no necessarily all at one time. Locations of the specific marks are clearly intended to prompt assembly line workers responsible for installation of components in the area of the marks.

It's not unusal to see the job number and "AC" on the bulkhead behind the seat when the car is airconditioned. The 2-1 may actually be a date; attempt to correlate this mark with your car's trim plate build date. You may find that, as a date, it precedes the trim plate date by several days...my thinking is that it is a body shop inspectors initials/signoff, and therefore totally unrelated to the type of transmission. I'm thinking the manual transmission shifter would have already been installed on the chassis at body drop, and it's presence a clear indication of the type transmission.

If you removed the rear compartment carpet, you probably found find another set of "AC" marks, the model designation (437 or 467), and possibly "UA6" if the car was ordered with the 68 alarm option. The marks on the front of the bulkhead were intended for workers installing the HVAC system components and harnesses, and on the rear compartment floor they were to guide those installing the Astro ventilation door covers (AC cars) and the harness for the alarm system.

On my car, the marks in the rear compartment floor are written such they are readable from the rear of the car; clearly, they were placed on the subfloor before the body was built...no person is small enough to make those marks upside down in that space with the body assembled.

[Charles F.]

Re: 68 chalk marks bulkhead behind pass seat

Chuck:

The car is a late April 68 build date, so I'm not sure how a 2-1 would correlate as a date. Any thoughts ? There were no other markings in chalk in the car (the entire car was taken apart). Thanks for the information...interesting.

Chuck Faillace

[Chuck S.]

Re: 68 chalk marks bulkhead behind pass seat

Unless there was a strike that coincidentally occurred after the body was built, and before the car was assembled, it's not a date as I thought. Unfortunately, I can't offer any other interpretation, except that I doubt it has anything to do with the transmission.

Marks like these were made specifically for options...the base equipment was not spelled out with chalk marks. There could be marks in automatic cars which I am unaware...you need input from members that have restored a 68 auto car.

Still, there was little need for assembly workers to be reminded of the auto transmission option after body drop...as I said before, I believe the manual shifter was present at body drop, and an obvious clarification of the transmission type; i.e. no marks required for the auto transmission.

I assume you have already attempted unsuccessfully to research the chain of ownership to understand what happened to the car over the years.

[Charles F.]

Re: 68 chalk marks bulkhead behind pass seat

I have the owner history back to the purchase new, but not a lot of detail regarding maintenance etc over that time period. I believe the car to be correct and disassembling the car seems to prove it out as there were no anomolies encountered. As mentioned, the (decrepit) tank sticker was readable enough to get all the options and it correlates completely to the car as presented when I bought it two years ago. I appreciate your interest and information.

Chuck Faillace

[Chuck R.]

Re: It's not a perfect world Charles

Maybe the assembly line worker had a brain cramp and mis-labled your car. It can happen. IF that's what the code is referring to.

Maybe 2-1 AT is an Accent Trim code of some sort.

F.Y.I. The tranny crossmember for four speeds is welded to the frame rails as opposed to bolted to the frame rails for automatic trannys.

Automatic frames can easily be converted to four speeds by welding on the lower ears for the tranny bracket and then welding the crossmember to the frame rails including welding up the bolt holes, grinding them down and burrying the evidence with body filler.

For what it's worth Charles

Chuck

[Charles F.]

Re: 68 chalk marks bulkhead behind pass seat

Thanks. Just noticed something strange: this entire thread is limited to Chuck: Sangerhausen, Rice and Faillace. Weird.

Chuck Faillace

[Tracy C.]

Re: 68 chalk marks bulkhead behind pass seat

It that where the "C3" designator came from regarding your subject matter??

[Chuck R.]

Re: You mean that there are "other" C's out there?



Chuckster

[Charles F.]

Re: 68 chalk marks bulkhead behind pass seat

Tracy:

Very clever...made me laugh out loud !

Chuck