1957 Imperial Body-Plate Decoding Tips

See also: 1958 Imperial Body-Plate Decoding Tips

From Philippe:

DECODING THE 1957 IMPERIAL DATA PLATE

This plate is attached on the upper right hand radiator support. Sometimes removed or swapped by owners, body or paint shops or unscrupulous individuals!

I've picked the following info from the CHRYSLER 300C Handbook and also applies to the 1957 Imperial.

Example of data plate (prior to entry of production information):

Above the first line you'll read numbers or letters related to this line:

MDL = Model: I don't have the codes yet. I know only that 283 = Crown convertible and 289 = Crown Southampton four-door hardtop.

PNT = Paint code: A = Jet black etc.. (see below). Z or ZZ = special order paint (1 or 2 colors)

TRIM = Trim & upholstery, no info. 00 = special order interior

SCH = Schedule date: month / day. i.e 0403 = 3 April (57)

ITEM = no info

BODY= # body?

SO/FO= Special order/foreign order. If there's a number above you have a rare or foreign car!

The double rows of small numbers are to be read from top to bottom.  If a third and larger number is printed in a vertical column, the car was produced with that option code item. For example, the firsts of the lines are 3 & 5. If you've under the 5 the number 7, the code option is 357. This code applies to all 57 Chrysler products and some of them aren't used on Imperial because they are standard (i.e Torqueflite) or N/A.

Example of my car (57 Crown convertible):

Options I have: 357, 344, 349, 224, 356, 345, 323, 265 (?), 358, 332. Schedule: 11 / 8 (56) or 1 / 18 (57) ? I think 1 / 18 because 57 Imperials were introduced 10/30/56 and my serial number is C57 9909. If it was built in Nov. 56, the number would be a C57 1... or 2....

If you need PPG codes, see American Automobile Paint code manual from P. Sessler (Motorbooks Int).

1957 SERIAL, MOTOR & FRAME NUMBERS

Serial (VIN) number: In the usual location (left front door hinge pillar post): from 57 - 1001 to 57 - 36 890

Motor number: stamped on top of block behind water pump: from CE 57 1001 to... ?

Frame number: stamped usually on top or (and) on side of the right frame rail.

Location: On top of rail: Between the body mounts, approximate center of rear passenger door

Here is a drawing, showing where the numbers are found...

Here is what mine looks like...

On side of rail: Between body mounts, often hidden by the gas line, approx. center of rear passenger door. (on my car, 1 1/2 ft ahead of rear wheel wheel body mount)