How do you tell a 300A from a 300B?

[67435animal]

I just bought my MM in August. It was used with 7800 miles on it. How can you tell a 300A from a 300B? Is there something in the VIN?

Thanks in advance.

Bob

[jgc61sr2002]

67435animal - Welcome to the site. If you have a traction control switch next to the adjustable pedal ( brake/ accelerator) switch you have a 300B. The main difference is 300A = Traction Control 300A= NO Traction Control. Hope this helps. Nice Vette.

[67435animal]

Thank you. I do not see a traction control switch so mine must be a 300A.

Bob

[BlackHole]

Just some of the differances
300A Black only Exterior Flint Gray/Charcoal interior
Stand alone Clock in center dot matrix strip
Only 2 options 6 disc CD changer Trunk Organizer

300B clock moved to radio display
Traction Control next to Pedal adjust5
And 2 exterior colors Silver/Pearl Blue

[TAF]

Quickest...easiest way is the fuel door...if it has a 'finger-hole' and is not flush with the body...it's a "B".

[Logan]

...and the 300A has a full-size spare, though some pre-decontented 300B's do too, there are only a few.

Also can look on your door sticker, if you've got a 06/02, 07/02 or 08/02 car, you've got a 300A. 300B's started in late September.

[MMM2003]

Originally posted by Logan
...and the 300A has a full-size spare, though some pre-decontented 300B's do too, there are only a few.

Also can look on your door sticker, if you've got a 06/02, 07/02 or 08/02 car, you've got a 300A. 300B's started in late September.

...... unless you live in canada than your 300A is actually 300B. Long story. Alright, I stop.

You can also check if you have front pockets in your Driver and Passenger seats. It is my understanding, that those were removed in the 300B's as well. If you have them, you have a 300A.

[jgc61sr2002]

Originally posted by Logan
...and the 300A has a full-size spare, though some pre-decontented 300B's do too, there are only a few.

Also can look on your door sticker, if you've got a 06/02, 07/02 or 08/02 car, you've got a 300A. 300B's started in late September.

Logan - I beleive all 300B's including the pre-decontented ones have a mini spare. Something to do with the traction control.

[vegasmarauder]

I was ordering some stuff from my friendly Ford parts guy when I had him look up the center dash trim. The one for the clock had the notation for cars built "before 10/07/02" for a clock hole, and built "after 10/07/02" for no clock. Has anyone ever figured when the A to B cut over was? This might be a clue? Wonder if 10/07/02 is a Saturday or Sunday..

[RCSignals]

Originally posted by TAF
Quickest...easiest way is the fuel door...if it has a 'finger-hole' and is not flush with the body...it's a "B".

Not necessarily. My 300B has all the 300A items with the exception of the so-called "mini" spare. (an 18" wheel isn't so mini) If it's a colour other than black, it's definitely a 300B

[TAF]

With all do respect, my friend RC....decontented "B"s are a "class of their own"...and frankly will be THE most rare, in my book.

FACT: The best way to tell a black "A" from a "B" is still the fuel door. It's the most distinctive exterior feature to tell the difference.

[yorks]

Originally posted by MMM2003
...... unless you live in canada than your 300A is actually 300B. Long story.

Nooo. Mine's a 300A with traction control and mini spare.

[RCSignals]

Originally posted by vegasmarauder
I was ordering some stuff from my friendly Ford parts guy when I had him look up the center dash trim. The one for the clock had the notation for cars built "before 10/07/02" for a clock hole, and built "after 10/07/02" for no clock. Has anyone ever figured when the A to B cut over was? This might be a clue? Wonder if 10/07/02 is a Saturday or Sunday..

Odd. My car is a 300B, was manufactured 11/12/02, and has the in dash clock. Ford's data base is wrong on when decontenting started, obviously.

[RCSignals]

Originally posted by TAF
With all do respect, my friend RC....decontented "B"s are a "class of their own"...and frankly will be THE most rare, in my book.

FACT: The best way to tell a black "A" from a "B" is still the fuel door. It's the most distinctive exterior feature to tell the difference.

Well TAF, I'm flattered that all do respect me

The black 300b identification is a source of confusion for new people trying to learn. Certainly any black car with the finger pull fuel door is a 300B. However there is at least a month or slightly more of production of 300Bs that do not fit that bill.

Thirty or more years from now, when someone is trying to restore one of these cars, the books will say there is no such thing as a 300B that has an in dash clock, fuel door release, etc, etc.
and Marty's car, with the chrome shift bezel, is in real trouble

[DetGeno]

Ahh.....yeah .......I don't know about you guys or gals, but I own a Mercury Marauder that kicks balls!