Am I correct?

[stove]

my '63 model year Thunderbird has a build date code of "11J" which means September, 11 1962.... Right?

[Alan H. Tast]

Yes.

[stove]

With that said, what would the date coding window be, for date coded parts (for VTCI judging)? Such as distributors, carburetors, water pumps etc... A C3xx part number with a ANY date code prior to Sep 11 (or rather prior to first and second week of September)? OR, does it need to be within a week, month or two, three, ten???. What are the guidelines?

Thanks!

[60fore]

Far as I know there are no hard and fast guidelines spelled out in the Concours Rules on this subject. Using the very original '62 I owned as an example, all the parts I could find date codes on (with the exception of the glass) were produced less than a month prior to the car's scheduled build date.

This included body panels such as the front fenders and trunk lid, which you will find also have date codes on them.

[redstangbob]

If your goal is a high score in Primary division of concours judging, having the correct paint colors on specific parts is probably more of a concern. Having said that, there are major differences in some parts from year to year, and can easily be picked out during judging. Intake manifolds changed, the oil fill tube went away, valve covers and air filter housings changed over the years. A Holley carb is easily spotted due to its fuel line location. I personally have never looked at casting date codes while judging, and remember the engine judge has no reason to inspect and compare your data plate during judging. Having the correct parts for your year is more important than possibly having a water pump that's 6 months off. JMO Bob C

[Alan H. Tast]

If your goal is a high score in Primary division of concours judging, having the correct paint colors on specific parts is probably more of a concern. Having said that, there are major differences in some parts from year to year, and can easily be picked out during judging. Intake manifolds changed, the oil fill tube went away, valve covers and air filter housings changed over the years. A Holley carb is easily spotted due to its fuel line location. I personally have never looked at casting date codes while judging, and remember the engine judge has no reason to inspect and compare your data plate during judging. Having the correct parts for your year is more important than possibly having a water pump that's 6 months off. JMO Bob C

To add to what Bob's saying, where it can make a difference is if a person goes for the Authenticity (for restored cars) and/or Wixom Preservation (for non-restored/"survivor" cars) evaluation, where date codes on castings and such are checked against the scheduled build date. In these scenarios, the objective is to have as many original parts on the car as possible to reflect how it was when first assembled. I have been involved with this program since its inception in developing the list of what's evaluated and as a judge; I have learned over the years that this is a very tough standard to meet unless you truly have an unrestored, untouched car. It does present a rather interesting challenge for someone who's looking to bring a car back to as close to factory-original as possible. Call it going "above and beyond" the average restoration.