Topic: Vert top Utica plant decal

[68 S Code]

When I refinished my convertible top frame last winter I noticed that the original decal on the LH latching arm was unsigned and undated. I feel that I should put it back that way. Ive seen others with a name nd date. Would it be a red flag at a show if I leave it blank?

[CharlesTurner]

Any originals I have seen, there was at least a name/signature.  It is usually faded out and barely legible.

[68 S Code]

I looked closely and found nothing. Took photos before I blasted the handle clean.

[J_Speegle]

........... Would it be a red flag at a show if I leave it blank?

Red flag??? 

Deduction? Yes

[68 S Code]

A deduction even if I show a picture of the original sticker less any name or date?

[J_Speegle]

A deduction even if I show a picture of the original sticker less any name or date?

Not if you have one (a picture) that was taken when the car was delivered.

But if its from 40+ years later I believe that judges would expect that if Ford spent the money to place a sticker for an inspector to sign and date on the car it likely would have been used.  No reason to be "that guy" unless you have something very solid to support a claim and even then its still a choice. Just one somewhat informed opinion.

Another example would be if your car did not have an air cleaner CU decal on it when you purchased it in 1999 I don't think judges would look the other way if you wanted to show the car without the decal.

[68 S Code]

I've only seen one original decal signed from a 68. Name was Legible but how many inspectors were there? It just seems wrong to add a name where one didn't appear originally as car was only 15 years old when i bought it and that sticker was not reproduced back then. I also had a cowl sticker which was not often seen and is not reproduced. So I'm having it custom made off a pic I took long ago. Will that be questioned because it does not fit a
Standardized template? Although there were standardized practices for the assembly of these cars they were assembled by humans. People that had their own way of accomplishing a task. Two cars rolling down the assembly line nose to tail could have had at least one, if not more, differences between them if they were scrutinized under a microscope.

[CharlesTurner]

The main thing is that it is your choice and I believe everyone would respect that.  Is it the norm for the tag to be blank?  No, not based on many other examples.  If you want to go against the norm, you'll just need to be prepared to provide information why.

Would also point out that if you got your car when it was 15 years old, that would be roughly 1983.  MCA started in 1976 and there was quite a following by '83.  There were lots of owners buying up obsolete parts and sourcing details.  I wouldn't consider it unreasonable that the decal could have been replaced by the time you bought the car.  I have seen a bunch of these decals in NOS condition, so I know they were available.

[TLea]

I have pictures of 3 68 Utica labels. All have the same inspectors name. Like others said do you want to be the one supporting an undocumented claim 40+ years later? Its likely the name was faded to the point of not being visible as I have had several that have been like that

[68 S Code]

Tim are the initials  of the inspectors name JR in the three pics you have?

[TLea]

Tim are the initials  of the inspectors name JR in the three pics you have?

Its not a big secret especially considering the name (picture) of the Utica decal you found with John Raminski's name on it is from a well known website. If it its that one the picture came from a car I restored may built NJ vert.

[68 S Code]

Yes that is the name but I figured it was from an unrestored car. You mentioned it was a May car out of metuchen. I thought the inspection date was late January. Maybe I'm mistaken. I saw it on  PD's site. So that name is the one you typically see?

[TLea]

That picture is from my library and I thought it was from the may NJ car but must have been one of my others (think I have a late Nov 67 JR as well) One of the ones I have his name is signed rather than printed

[68 S Code]

Tim I was referring to a pic coral snake shows on his site. Probably not the pic or car. But it is JR's signature. Regarding date would you say 2 weeks prior to assembly date or more?

[TLea]

Tim I was referring to a pic coral snake shows on his site. Probably not the pic or car. But it is JR's signature. Regarding date would you say 2 weeks prior to assembly date or more?

I know. I am telling you that picture came from me. 2-3 weeks is norm