Questions on Patrol Year

[Slackd]

To all you Patrol sleuths…

Since I purchased my Patrol last year I’ve had questions on what modifications have happened in its long life. I think the cab has been switched out with a ‘64 or ‘65 but not sure or why.

Here’s what I know:
-titled as a ‘69 SWB
-hydraulic clutch
-dash installed map light
-3 speed
-Rochester B carb
-no emergency flashers
-no cigarette lighter
-doors do not match a ‘69
-windshield wipers are electric but individually operated
-banjo style steering wheel
-older style turn signal and bright headlight indicator lights
-not sure how large the gas tank is (and not wanting to find out the hard way)

So what do I have?

Thanks
Dave

[RiverPatrol]

What is the ID/VIN number? I'm pretty sure what you have is what we refer to as a '68-sold-as-a-'69, but the doors are definitely wrong. Other clues that point to that is that you have windshield washers and 2 vents on the windshield frame. I'd be interested in seeing pictures of the 'B' post where the door latches.

[Slackd]

Thanks River.

VIN: L60-21502

[L60Boerne]

River, Did the ever so wonderful banjo steering wheel last until 68? Those doors are surely pre 66 for sure.
Rolling and Patrolling,
L60Boerne

[RiverPatrol]

Thanks River.

VIN: L60-21502

Thanks for the pics, interesting stuff. So your Patrol is already listed in the Patrol Registry. It was added back in 2015 from a listing on eBay, when it was still worthwhile to sell cars on eBay. I will change the details in the entry to reflect your ownership after you get a chance to look at it. Anyway, the VIN does definitely place it in the '68-sold-as-a-69 category, so if it's titled as a '69 that is correct (enough).

The doors are interesting. Door swaps have been a big discussion due to the 3 significant changes in them over the brief period that Patrols were available in the US. Great frustration has been experienced due to the fact that only very short periods were they interchangeable. Someone would find a decent set of doors only to be frustrated to find they wouldn't work because of the significant different in the latching mechanism. Some previous owner of yours obviously ran into this same problem but rather than throwing in the towel they made it work. Though your doors are not latching as securely as designed, it apparently seems to be working.

This is what the latch should look like for the early style doors that are on your Patrol. If you'll notice yours is missing the lower piece, which I think is mainly for alignment and to prevent slippage and sagging. Do your doors latch and stay latched sufficiently?

Screen Shot 2023-04-28 at 7.40.39 PM.png

This is what the latch for your Patrol should/used to look like, with the original doors.

Screen Shot 2023-04-28 at 7.50.55 PM.png

To answer your question, your Patrol is a '68/'69 - ok to call it a '69. It seems the only major mod was the doors.

River, Did the ever so wonderful banjo steering wheel last until 68? Those doors are surely pre 66 for sure.
Rolling and Patrolling,
L60Boerne

David - Yes, the beloved banjo steering wheel continued up to the '68-sold-as-a-'69 version. Yes, his doors are pre '66.

[Slackd]

Thanks all. River, the doors shut ok, not great, but I have not fallen out yet, so I guess that is good.

Now that I know that I have a ‘68 (sorta), I’m on the hunt for a pair of sun visors that attach by two screw, each side.

Any ideas where I can find this white whale?

Dave

[RiverPatrol]

Good luck on the sun visors. That style was one year only. Maybe a set will show up on eBay one day, keep looking.