The body tag is found mounted on the engine side of the firewall,
near the passenger side hood hinge. On some cars it is mounted
on the driver's side. *Driver's side body tag info coming soon!!!
Example '58 Plymouth body tag:SO:0428 NO:4816 MODEL:LP2H BT:252 PT:XJX TR: ---
SO: April 28th, 1958
NO: 4,816th Belvedere 2dr hardtop V8 built
MODEL: 1958, Plymouth, V8, High-priced car
BT: Belvedere 2dr hardtop V8
PT: Iceburg White roof, Arctic Turquoise body, Iceburg White Sportone
TR: not available
Vehicle Identification Numbers
The VIN# is stamped on a plate located on the left, front door post.
- First letter is always L and indicates the model year which is 1958
- Second letter is always P and indicates the model which is Plymouth
- Third character is a digit; either a 1 or a 2 and indicates the engine size.
1 is a 6 cylinder, 2 is a V8
- Forth character is a letter and indicates the assembly plant. See below
E = Evansville, Indiana
L = Los Angeles, California
N = Newark, Delaware
W = Windsor, Ontario
blank (no forth character) = Detroit
- Last four to five digits is the Model/Engine-Specific sequential production number.
Starting number was 1001.
Example VIN#LP2W-8359
L = 1958
P = Plymouth
2 = V8
W = Windsor Plant
8359 = 7359th Plymouth (P-model) V8 built
Production Figures
Engine Numbers
The following information was derrived from 1946-1959 Plymouth by Jim Benjaminson
Plymouth 6-cylinder engines were stamped on the cylinder block's left front corner with an engineering code matching the model year of the car followed by a sequential build number. Additional letters stamped before or after the model code and serial number indicated factory use of over- or under-size engine components. The letter codes are as follows:
The letter "C" immediately following the model designation (i.e. P20C) indicates a Canadian-built "long block" engine (found on Canadian built cars only). V-8 serial numbers are located on a pad between the #2 and #3 cylinders. Engine numbers were also stamped on the left rear corner of the car's chassis.
Engine Numbers for 1958 Plymouths
6-cylinder buyers received a 230ci, 132hp engine with a 1bl carburetor.
6-cylinder engine numbers: LP6-1001 on up
LP230-100001 after March, 1958
V-8 buyers again had several choices. Smallest was a 318ci, 225hp engine with 2 barrel carb.
The 318 with 4 barrel carb was rated at 250hp. Fitted with dual 4 barrel carbs the 318 reached a horsepower rating of 290. At the top of the ladder was a 305hp 350ci engine fitted with dual 4 barrel carbs.
Engine Starting Numbers:
A = 0.020 oversize cylinder bore
B = 0.010 undersize main and connecting rod bearings
