Decoding Mopar A-Body, B-Body, and E-Body: A Guide for Enthusiasts

The golden era of American muscle cars brought us some of the coolest vehicles in auto history, with Mopar (a combination of "Motor" and "Parts" under Chrysler) leading the charge. Between 1960 and 1976, Mopar manufactured a wide array of A-body, B-body, and E-body cars under its Chrysler, Dodge, and Plymouth divisions. Enthusiasts and restorers alike often rely on decoding information such as VINs, fender tags, and broadcast sheets to verify originality, specs, and authenticity.

This guide will walk you through the process of decoding these three Mopar body types. There's also a wonderful Mopar VIN Decoder site as well that seems to decipher these VINs in a Silicon Valley millisecond (as opposed to a New York minute).

1. Mopar Body Type Overview

Above and below: Here's a 1965 A-body Plymouth Barracuda (code 23 - two-door hardtop) with a 273-cubic inch V8 (engine code D, LA engine family), an automatic transmission (D32 - A727 TorqueFlite Automatic), factory air conditioning (H51 factory AC), and bucket seats (code 6). VIN: V857163912 - Wonderful VIN decoder site performs the magic: 

A-Body (Compact)

• Years: 1960–1976
• Examples: Plymouth Valiant, Plymouth Barracuda, Dodge Dart, Plymouth Duster, Dodge Demon
• Characteristics: Smaller and lighter than B- and E-bodies, often economical but available with high-performance options like the 340 V8.

Above and below: A 1971 A-body Dodge Demon (code AN) (code 23 - two-door hardtop) in B5 Blue with White striping has a 340-cubic inch V8 (code H - 340 High Performance engine, LA engine family) and is backed by a four-speed manual transmission (D21 - A833 four-speed manual). The Demon also has air conditioning (H51 factory AC). VIN: LM29H1B338187 - VIN decoder again, but missed engine code H this time - 

B-Body (Intermediate)

Above: This 1968 B-body Dodge Charger R/T (code RX) (code 23 - two-door hardtop) in FE5 Rallye Red paint with a 440-cubic inch big block V8 mill (RB engine family, L code 440) with 375-horsepower is backed by a four-speed manual transmission (D21 - A833 four-speed manual), and has bucket seats (code 6). VIN: XS29L8B351741 (Factory XS29 Charger R/T) - VIN decoded below:

• Years: 1962–1979 (focus on 1962–1976 here)
• Examples: Dodge Charger, Dodge Coronet, Plymouth GTX, Plymouth Road Runner, Plymouth Satellite
• Characteristics: Mid-sized cars; a sweet spot for muscle car performance, famous for 383, 440, and 426 HEMI engines.

Above and below: An unrestored B-body 1971 Plymouth GTX (code RS) (code 23 - two-door hardtop) equipped with a 370-horsepower, 440-cubic inch big block V8 engine ("U" code in the VIN indicates a 440 Magnum four-barrel carb engine, RB engine family) backed by a four speed manual transmission (D21 - A833 four-speed manual) - drive it like you stole it! VIN: RS23U1G150061 - VIN decoded below: 

E-Body (Pony/Muscle)

Above and below: This 1970 E-body Dodge Challenger R/T (code JS) convertible (code 27) in High Impact FJ5 Sublime with a 383-cubic inch, 335-horsepower V8 engine (engine code H, engine family B) is backed by a four-speed manual transmission (D21 - A833 four-speed manual). VIN: JS27N0B190114 - VIN decoded below: 

• Years: 1970–1974
• Examples: Dodge Challenger, Plymouth Barracuda (’70–’74)
• Characteristics: Designed to compete with the Mustang and Camaro; wide engine choices and more aggressive styling.

Above and below: The 1971 E-body Plymouth Barracuda (code BS) restomod convertible (code 27) is built with a 540-horsepower, 426-cubic inch Gen 3 fuel-injected Hemi big block V8, backed by a four-speed automatic with overdrive, shifted via paddle shifters or floor shift, and has bucket seats (code 6). VIN: BH27G1B409109 - Born with VIN decoded below:

2. Understanding the VIN (Vehicle Identification Number)

Mopar VINs varied slightly by year, but here's how to break them down:

Typical 13-Digit VIN Format (1966–1970)

Example: BS23J0B123456

Note: 1960–1965 used a different VIN format, usually shorter, and may require cross-referencing with factory service manuals.

Mopar Car Line Codes Identified

Mopar (Chrysler Corporation) used specific car line codes to identify various vehicle platforms and models. These codes are crucial for decoding VINs, broadcast sheets, fender tags, and other documentation. Here's a breakdown of the car line (model) codes for 1960–1976 Mopar A-body, B-body, and E-body vehicles:

🟦 A-Body (Compact)

Above and below: The 1969 A-body Dodge Dart (code AB) Swinger two-door hardtop (code 23) in High impact F6 Bright Green poly is equipped with a matching numbers 340-cubic inch V8 (E55 - 340ci with four-barrel carb, code H high performance, LA engine family), and backed with a four-speed manual trans (D21 - A833 four-speed manual). VIN: LM23P9E145390 - VIN decoded below:

Years: 1960–1976
Models: Dodge Dart, Plymouth Valiant, Duster, Scamp, Demon, etc.

🟧 B-Body (Intermediate/Mid-Size)

Above and below: Parked beside a red brick building, a 1969 B-body 426-cubic inch / 425-horsepower Hemi big-block V8 Road Runner (code BR) (code 23 - two-door hardtop) with a Scorch Red exterior (AY1ER6, R6 paint code) and backed by a four-speed manual transmission (code D21 - A833 4-speed manual), also has black front bucket seats (code X9 - black interior, code 6 - bucket seats). VIN: RM21J9A166114 - VIN decoded below:

This 1969 Road Runner's VIN indicates that it's actually a Belvedere or Satellite (code R).

Years: 1962–1979 (your range: 1962–1976)
Models: Charger, Coronet, Belvedere, Satellite, GTX, Road Runner, Super Bee, etc.

🟪 E-Body (Pony Car/Muscle Car)

Above and below: Here's a 1970 E-body Dodge Challenger R/T (JS - code for R/T, code 23 - two-door hardtop) in Hemi Orange (code EV2) that is equipped with a 440 six-pack Magnum (V-code, RB engine family) big block V8 engine and still sports the original drivetrain, mated to the matching-numbers D21 - A833 Hemi 4-speed manual transmission. VIN: JS23V0B212846 - VIN decoded below:

Years: 1970–1974
Models: Dodge Challenger, Plymouth Barracuda

Note: Codes often repeat across body lines but are unique when combined with model year and other VIN elements.

⚠️ A Few Notes:

• The first two characters of a VIN (model year + car line) will often tell you body style.
• The third character typically indicates price class (e.g., base, special, premium).
• The body type (e.g., coupe, sedan, convertible) is indicated elsewhere in the VIN or fender tag.
• Chrysler sometimes re-used or changed codes across years, so exact VIN decoding requires the model year.

3. Fender Tag Decoding

Above: Fender Tag from the superb 1971 E-Body Hemi Plymouth 'Cuda that is in the last two photos of this article

The fender tag is a treasure trove of information. Located on the inner fender, it contains codes for:

• Paint & Trim: Exterior color, vinyl roof, interior color/material
• Options: Radio type, air conditioning, axle ratio, transmission
• Build Date: The scheduled production date
• Engine & Transmission: Specific engine codes and matching trans
• SO Number (Shipping Order): Internal build tracking

Example Fender Tag (1970 Dodge Challenger R/T)

E55 D32 JS23 N0B 123456

FE5 H6X9 000 506 226003

• E55 – 340 CID 4-barrel V8
• D32 – A727 TorqueFlite Automatic
• JS23 – Challenger R/T, 2-door hardtop
• N0B – 1970 model, Hamtramck plant
• FE5 – Bright Red paint
• H6X9 – High trim, vinyl bucket seats, black
• 506 – Build date: 5th day of June
• 226003 – SO number

Use online databases or a factory service manual to cross-reference these codes.

4. Broadcast Sheet (Build Sheet)

Above: Original Broadcast Sheet from the gorgeous 1971 Hemi Plymouth 'Cuda that comprises the last two photos in this article

If you’re lucky enough to find it (usually behind the back seat or under the carpet), this sheet lists:

• VIN
• Drivetrain
• Color and Trim
• Factory Installed Options
• Tires, Battery, Axle Ratio
• Dealer info

This is the “birth certificate” of the car—ideal for restorations or verifying originality.

5. Engine and Transmission Codes

Above: 1964 225-cubic inch Slant Six engine

Common Engine Codes (5th Digit in VIN or Fender Tag):

• A – 170 Slant Six
• RG - 225 Slant Six
• D – 273 V8
• G – 383 4-barrel
• H – 340 or 383 High Performance
• J – 426 HEMI

A website called Stock Mopar kindly provided this list of Mopar engine casting numbers. The engine casting numbers cover a wide range of engines, including the popular 318, 340, 383, 400, 413, 426, and 440 engines. The engine casting number is found on the left hand side of the engine. Don’t get this confused with the partial VIN number that is also stamped on the engine, which is on the right hand side.

Note from Stock Mopar website: Please note that this isn’t a complete list of the Mopar Engine Casting Numbers. 

Popular Small and Big-Block V8 Mopar Engines:

Small Block Mopar Engines

Above: 1971 340-cubic inch small block V8 in a 'Cuda

• 273-cubic inch
• 318-cubic inch
• 340-cubic inch
• 360-cubic inch

Big Block Mopar Engines

Above: 426-cubic inch / 425-horsepower 1971 Hemi big-block V8 engine

• 350-cubic inch
• 361-cubic inch
• 383-cubic inch
• 400-cubic inch
• 413-cubic inch
• 440-cubic inch
• 440-cubic inch 6-Pack (three, two barrel carbs)
• 426-cubic inch Hemi

Transmission Codes:

• D31/D32 – A904 or A727 automatic
• D21 – A833 4-speed manual

6. Axle and Differential Codes

The axle and differential codes are located on the fender tag or stamped on the axle tube. Example:

• D91 – 3.91 Sure-Grip
• D53 – 2.76 Open

7. Paint Codes and Interior Trim

Exterior Paint (3-character codes):

• FE5 – Rallye Red
• EB5 – Bright Blue Metallic
• FC7 – Plum Crazy

For more information on the exterior paint schemes of A-, B-, and E-Body Mopars: Mopar Paint: Dodge & Plymouth High-Impact Paint Colors is a very informative article.

Interior Codes (H6X9, C6XA):

• H/C – High/Custom grade
• 6 – Bucket seats
• X9 – Black
• XA – White & Black combo

Conclusion

Above: 1970 B-body Dodge Coronet R/T convertible

Decoding a classic Mopar from the 1960–1976 era is like uncovering buried treasure. Whether restoring a survivor or verifying a numbers-matching muscle car, the VIN, fender tag, and build sheet hold the keys to understanding your vehicle's true identity. Using this guide and reputable online tools or decoding books, you can turn a rusty relic into a certified classic.

Classic Industries and Mopar Reproduction Components

Above: 1971 E-body Hemi Plymouth 'Cuda coupe

In case you're new to the Mopar muscle car hobby, you may not be aware that Classic Industries is a major provider of Mopar Chrysler, Dodge, and Plymouth restoration, performance parts, and accessories for 1960-76 Mopars, in addition to also providing components for Dodge trucks. Mopar enthusiasts are able to shop for components on the Classic Industries' website by Mopar vehicle. Dodge, Plymouth, and Chrysler owners can also request that an enormous Mopar Parts and Accessories catalog be mailed to your door. Whether you enjoy shopping for parts, wrenching on your muscle machine, showing, or going fast in your Mopar, Classic Industries can supply the parts that you need to keep your pride and joy running strong and looking great.

Above: The same 1971 E-body Hemi 'Cuda (photos courtesy of Mecum Auctions)