Introduction and 1951 Firewall Tag Help Request

Hi all,

My name is Tim, and I live just outside Philadelphia. I've lurked and learned on these Mopar forums and others for a long time, but this is my first post here. I'm in my 30s, but I specifically love cars from the 40s and 50s, so this forum seemed to be the best place to ask a question about a 1951 Chrysler I'm looking at. I also posted this over at the AACA Chrysler forum.

The car is a 1951 Chrysler New Yorker Newport hardtop that's being advertised as an original, unrestored example with 15,482 miles. So, the claim is roughly 218 miles per year for 71 years. Given the number of survivors from an original run of fewer than 6,000, that might make the car unique or close to it in 2022.

The door jam serial number of the car is 7189485 (attached image), which is in range for a 1951 Chrysler New Yorker. So far, so good.

My confusion stems from the firewall tag just below the cowl (attached image). That has a model code of 46, which seems to code for a 1949 New Yorker, Saratoga, or Town & Country. From all the research I've compiled, there doesn't seem to be any way this tag could be model and year correct without a model code of "52," a 1951 New Yorker. The tag does specify paint code "78," which seems to code correctly for either or both of its body color (Arizona Beige) and roof color (Buckskin Tan). Separately, this tag just seems to be coded for less information than I usually see on Chrysler products from the same era.

Also, this tag is painted over. Since I've seen both bare metal firewall tags and painted tags on Chryslers from the period, I'm not certain which way it shipped from the factory. But if the tag isn't supposed to be painted, and it doesn't code for a 1951 New Yorker, then it raises larger questions about why it's there and the story about the mileage/originality.

I haven't reached out to inquire about the car yet, and I felt I should rely on guidance from this forum first. Is there any way this 1951 car could have wound up correctly paired with this particular firewall tag from the factory?

You can see the car here: 1951 CHRYSLER NEW YORKER NEWPORT HARDTOP – Daniel Schmitt & Co. Classic Car Gallery
A separate dealer appears to have offered the same car years and 1,000 miles ago: HERE
My impression is that the prior dealer took more revealing photos of the car's actual condition.
A French Canadian dealer may also have had the car at some point.

I don't have an engine block serial number for this car yet. Thanks so much for any assistance or guidance you can provide.

Best,
Tim