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 :D 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 :D 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! :lol:

[67435animal]

Almost gets as confusing as trying to determine whether a mid year Corvette is a genuine big block!
Bob

[martyo]

Originally posted by RCSignals
...and Marty's car, with the chrome shift bezel, is in real trouble :)

Why am I always getting in trouble????

The way I look at it, I have the single rarest car out there. A pre-decontented 300B with all of he 300A's goodies (except the full size spare), plus the extremely rare (and well documented, thanks to this site) chrome shift bezel.

If you guys are lucky, I might let you sit in my car in Texas. I am not sure yet, so don;t make special plans.

Beat that, my friends!

[67435animal]

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.

My date on the door is 07/02 so I have a genuine 300A.

Thanks to everyone for helping me figure this out.

Bob

[cruzer]

Marty, looks like our cars were built the same day--and I have all the "A" stuff plus traction Control (listed on the window sticker as "Standard Equipment") --no trunk liner and none on the window sticker

[RCSignals]

cruzer does your car have a chrome shift bezel like marty's as well?

[SergntMac]

Best way to see if you have a 300A, or, a 300B, is to call her by name, see if she wags her tail...

[jgc61sr2002]

Originally posted by SergntMac
Best way to see if you have a 300A, or, a 300B, is to call her by name, see if she wags her tail... Mac - Good one. HeHe:D

[martyo]

Here is what my chrome shift bezel looks like:

[Dr Caleb]

Cool look Marty - is that factory?

[martyo]

Originally posted by Dr Caleb
Cool look Marty - is that factory?

Yep and what's even cooler is that no one else has one like it!

[Dr Caleb]

You've gotta like mistakes like that! All I got was these lousy rubber bands...

[martyo]

Originally posted by Dr Caleb
You've gotta like mistakes like that! All I got was these lousy rubber bands...

Don't get me started on the rubber bands. I just found more on my motor when I was crawling under my car this weekend!!

[looking97233]

I didn't even get the lousy rubber bands.:depress:

[RCSignals]

no rubber bands for me either.

If you have them, I wouldn't remove them, they must be a critical component :)

[bigslim]

It's the same chrome bezel used in the Lincoln Continental.

[lshultz]

martye,

I have a chrome one too, OH, wait a second, I have a CV Sport...sorry...but I still have one too...
:D :D :D

[mpearce]

Well, I read this entire thread and I still don't know the difference between a 300A and a 300B. I bought my car last week. It's an 04 and all I know is that it said 300A on the window sticker. Thats the only way I know what I have. I have a finger spot for my fuel door, I have traction control, I have heated seats, I have heated mirrors, my clock is in the radio, I have a moon roof, and no truck organizer. Does this seem logical to anyone?

[woaface]

Marty, did you ask for the chrome or did someone fall asleep and ally put that on during assembly? Yes, I know it's old...shut up and answer:up:

[hitchhiker]

Marty, did you ask for the chrome or did someone fall asleep and ally put that on during assembly? Yes, I know it's old...shut up and answer:up:

I don't know about the chrome, but James would like the special compartment for his Tap shoes installed!

:lol: :lol: :lol: :lol:

[MarauderMark]

WOW! when i asked the same question my thread got deleted w/o any answers.Hmmmm :shot: :lol:

[hitchhiker]

Why am I always getting in trouble????

The way I look at it, I have the single rarest car out there. A pre-decontented 300B with all of he 300A's goodies (except the full size spare), plus the extremely rare (and well documented, thanks to this site) chrome shift bezel.

If you guys are lucky, I might let you sit in my car in Texas. I am not sure yet, so don;t make special plans.

Beat that, my friends!

Anybody have a part number for that chrome shift bezel?

Thanks,

David

[MM03MOK]

Well, I read this entire thread and I still don't know the difference between a 300A and a 300B. I bought my car last week. It's an 04 and all I know is that it said 300A on the window sticker. Thats the only way I know what I have. I have a finger spot for my fuel door, I have traction control, I have heated seats, I have heated mirrors, my clock is in the radio, I have a moon roof, and no truck organizer. Does this seem logical to anyone?Yes. All 2004s are 300As. The reason 2003s came as 300A and 300B was because of the changes in standard features during that production year. The "numbering" started over in 2004. 2004 300As are similar to 2003 300Bs. The trunk organizer was/is an option for all cars, not a standard feature.

[Black 04]

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

Is this true??? Ford eliminated the mini spare due to the traction control or was the real story cut backs?
My buddy has a 01 Grand Marquis with traction control and a full spare. I think ford realized it was costing to much for the Marauder spare rim, so they went with the mini for the rest of the production run.

Question? If I wanted a full spare in my MM, am I going to screw up my traction control??

[David Morton]

Hi guys. I just bought a 2004-300a (so says the sticker). It has a traction control switch next to the power pedal switch, a fingerhole fuel door and a mini spare.

Silver Birch w/ Light Flint Nudo interior and 6CD changer in the trunk.

CD #1 is a 70's era album that looks like a big blue gear. Seemed appropriate at the time.