Topic: Backup Light hole in floor dimple behind shifter on '65

[meltdwn65GT]

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[jwc66k]

Backup lights were an option in 1965 and the wiring depended on the transmission. The automatic transmission backup wiring was in parallel with the ignition lockout wiring (start in park or neutral only) thru the fire wall and down along side the transmission, while the manual transmission's wiring came from and went to the instrument panel down the transmission tunnel on the dimple all on the inside. See 65 Electrical Assembly manual AM0008, pgs 35 & 45.
Jim   

[Brian Conway]

Check the date stamp on the lower valance.  Should give you a clue.  Brian

[CharlesTurner]

A lot of unknowns here... mostly surrounding possibly sheet metal repair or replacement in the past.  Full floor replaced, quarters and trunk turn downs replaced?  Do we know if the tail light wiring harness is original?

The absence of the hole in tunnel might indicate the car originally had an automatic trans.  If you're certain the car was a manual trans, then no hole is a good indication the car had no back-up lights.

[midlife]

Didn't the GT in 65 come without reverse lights?  I believe in 65 reverse lights were optional or at least not required by the Federales.

[Murf]

If your 65 was a factory GT and built more toward the beginning period of production for Gt cars (March 65 on toward the end of 65 production) it will not have back up lights, nor will the harness for the rear lights even have a provision for back up lights in the loom of wires. 

[jwc66k]

This is a long shot. From my notes: the harness ID tag was wrapped around the end of the harness near the right hand tail light. There were four harnesses listed in the 65, two for hardtop or convertibles, and two for Fastbacks. One each from each group was with backup light provisions, one without ("C5ZB-14405-E" HT/CV w/o; "-F" HT/CW with; "-J" FB w/o; "-K" FB with).
The is a possibility that later in the production year, Ford eliminated the harnesses with-out back-up light provisions and went to the harnesses with the provisions to reduce inventory levels.
Jim