Leather option Trim Code 898E and A/C

[Jon R.]

Page 183 in Noland Adams books shows the Leather Trim option as being trim code 898 with various ECL (exception control letter) suffixes. It notes the ECL suffixes for a coupe with leather effective, date from start of production thru 2-22-63 to be "A", "E" or "G". The "A" code is used for base units, "E" used with C60 (A/C option) and without U69 (AM/FM radio option) and "G" to be used with C60 and U69. It also states that the ECL suffixes from 2-23-63 through the end of production to be "G", "Q" or "S". For these codes, the "G" code is used for base units, "Q" used with C60 (A/C option) and without U69 (AM/FM radio option) and "S" to be used with C60 and U69. There are similar ECL suffixes for convertibles but I only wanted to discuss coupes here.

The NCRS Technical Information Manual notes that the "leather trim codes (898 prefix) A and B generally indicate the absence of air conditioning. Leather codes G and H can indicate with, or without air conditioning. Leather codes E, F, Q, R, S and T indicate the vehicle is supposed to be equipped with air conditioning." Note that the A, E, G, Q and S are suffixes for coupes and B, F, H, R and T are for convertibles. Also note that there is no mention of the radio option.

After all of that, here is the issue: The trim code on my mid-May coupe is 898E. It does have the leather seat option, however, there are no signs of A/C ever being installed and it does include the AM/FM radio. This is completely in conflict with the information above including the effective dates. I might suspect my Trim Tag, but I know of another coupe built less than 100 cars after mine that has the same 898E trim code and the same options, or lack of, as my car! In addition, there is a third car currently listed for sale on the Internet with a VIN photo showing serial number 113772 (late-April), the description notes saddle leather and the Trim Tag photo clearly shows 898E and no mention of A/C.

Above are three examples of trim codes that do not match what the guides and manuals state. The questions are:

- Can anyone explain this discrepancy?
- Does anyone else have the leather option (with or without A/C) that can add some data to this information - conflicting or otherwise?

Thanks,

Jon

[Wayne W.]

Re: Leather option Trim Code 898E and A/C

- Can anyone explain this discrepancy?

Thanks,

Jon

Yea, Its a `63.

[Michael H.]

Re: Leather option Trim Code 898E and A/C

The ECL's shown for 63 with 898/leather are definitely not accurate, at least for some combinations. I've looked at several that show incorrect options. If I remember correctly, the code in my 63 calls for air conditioning but the car definitely wasn't assembled with air conditioning.

[Jon R.]

Re: Leather option Trim Code 898E and A/C

Wayne and Michael,

Thanks for the responses.

I just re-read another recent thread regarding the earliest known A/C cars being in the 13,000 VIN range - this would be a mid-April build. This further conflicts with some of the info regarding ECL's in Noland Adams book. According to the book, and paraphrased in my first post in this thread, the first range of suffixes was used up until 2-22-63 - a full two months prior to the first A/C cars!

My intent is not to nit-pick or slam a great reference book but to try to determine what the "E" on my trim tag might have actually meant!

Thanks,

Jon

[Michael H.]

Re: Leather option Trim Code 898E and A/C

Wayne and Michael,

Thanks for the responses.


Thanks,

Jon

By the way, while we're on the subject of leather interior for 63, did you know that the center cushion was vinyl even though the seats were leather?
The first leather center cushion appeared in the 64 model year.

[Rob M.]

Re: Leather option Trim Code 898E and A/C

My 1963 #18658 has 898E and has leather and AM radio. It hasn't got any signs of A/C for as far as I could determine...



regards,
Rob.