Topic: Bumper decode

[Brian Conway]

Thanks for the bumper date locations listed in the other posts.  I did not want to mess those posts up with my question so here goes:  The front bumper on my 69, NJ, 9/19/68 built car reads; 68  M  6 and very near by is stamped 8 26 1. How do these decode ?  Thanks,  Brian

[J_Speegle]

Thanks for the bumper date locations listed in the other posts.  I did not want to mess those posts up with my question so here goes:  The front bumper on my 69, NJ, 9/19/68 built car reads; 68  M  6 and very near by is stamped 8 26 1. How do these decode ?  Thanks,  Brian

Not 100% sure but here is what makes sense to me looking at other rear bumpers from 69-70's and the other patterns

68 M 6
suggests the year and the stamping plant. Not sure what the last 6 is for unless its a partical stamp of 68 again (we have other examples were they are stamped year plant year.

8  26 1
Guessing month ( day of month (26) and shift (1)


That would take care of all the requirements were normally find - date, stamping plant and shift

Hope this helps

[Brian Conway]

Thanks Jeff.  Would the ' stamping plant ' be Monroe Stamping & Plating ?  Brian

[J_Speegle]

Thanks Jeff.  Would the ' stamping plant ' be Monroe Stamping & Plating ?  Brian

Yes they seem to be the plant that did bumpers or at least for our cars

[Brian Conway]

In the BUMPER DATING topic is an example of a 1970 Front Bumper showing a stamped 70  M  76.  Decodes as 1970, Monroe and then 76.  What does the 76 represent ?  Thanks,  Brian

[J_Speegle]

In the BUMPER DATING topic is an example of a 1970 Front Bumper showing a stamped 70  M  76.  Decodes as 1970, Monroe and then 76.  What does the 76 represent ?  Thanks,  Brian

Brian not sure guessing at least one tells us the month (if its to follow the normal pattern) Sorry

[Brian Conway]

I took another look at my bumper, flashlight and mirror, and not a 6 but instead a 9.  So 68  M  9 would be 1968, Monroe and 9 would be model year 1969.  This would be in line with the method used in previous years.   So I believe my riddle solved.  As to the 70  M  76;  Your probably right about the month.  How that 76 decodes I don't understand, perhaps a format change, 1970  Monroe   model year and month ?  Enough 'trivia pursuit '  Thanks,  Brian

[J_Speegle]

I took another look at my bumper, flashlight and mirror, and not a 6 but instead a 9.  So 68  M  9 would be 1968, Monroe and 9 would be model year 1969.  This would be in line with the method used in previous years. 

If your going to follow the pattern in earlier years it would be (68)  June 8th, Monroe (M) and 9 (for 69)

So I believe my riddle solved.  As to the 70  M  76;  Your probably right about the month.  How that 76 decodes I don't understand, perhaps a format change, 1970  Monroe   model year and month ?  Enough 'trivia pursuit '  Thanks,  Brian

Don't believe 76 can work out as a year month thing since we have other examples where it would not work out - will post them

In 69 we start to see double lines of info stamped in the same location (one line above the other) on the rear bumpers then back again to a single (shorter version) line by at least 73 (need to find some 71s to check them

[Brian Conway]

     Jeff the data on my front bumper , 9/19/68 built NJ car, is stamped on either side of the nose/peak and in line.  8  26  1 on one side and probably is Month  Day  Shift.  68  M  9 is on the other side.   The 68 has no separation between numbers as in the 65-66 examples, so, I am still unsure of the  Month  Day designation.  The M for Monroe and the 9 for 1969 works.  This would work better if I had some photo/examples and when the bumpers come off, not planned, I'll get the pics to you. 
     The numbers on my rear bumper are not readable with the flashlight/mirror trick but I can see the indents in the chrome side, four,  they are in line and between the tag light screw holes.
     Thanks for your patience and  interest.  Brian