Topic: Early / Late 1965 fastback question

[skinner36]

Hi,
I have recently acquired a 1965 fastback built at Dearborn and the build date is October 1964.

Excluding the 64 ½ cars I have read about early 1965 and late 1965 builds. Would my car be considered an early model? I want to restore the car with the correct parts for the period it was built in. E.g power steering pump (Eaton / Ford).

Any help would be appreciated.

John

[ChrisV289]

Welcome, I also have a 64 Oct FB as well but mine was built in SJ.  Your car can be considered an early build.  Some of the carry over 64 parts I have on mine are the windshield wiper bezels, heater switch in the center position as opposed to the far left, slotted spare tire hold down, c clips on the window and door handles as opposed to the allen screw, and I also have the small metal trim piece that goes right above the fiberglass panel on the ends.  I can show you a picture if needed.  You might also have vinyl between the floor board and the sill plate instead of the carpet going all the way underneath.  As far as power steering pumps, I believe Eaton was still being used but I'm sure someone who has examples of cars built in that time frame might be able to say for sure...


Chris

[CharlesTurner]

Yes, as mentioned, the car could probably be referred to as an early '65, but not to be confused with a 64 1/2.  Lots of the items mentioned ran well into regular '65 production.  The wiper base bezels were just discussed in another thread here and it's kind of ironic that it is referred to as a "64 1/2" part, but if you consider generator production ran for 6 months from March '64 through August and the bezels weren't phased out until May of '65 (9 months), it's almost more a regular '65 part than 64 1/2...   

The carpet on an Oct '64 fastback would definitely be the early style with serge edge and vinyl glued to the inner rocker.  Probably lots of little things here and there if you pay attention to the details

The main thing is to do the restoration right will require not only studying your car, but also cars built at the same assembly plant and time period.  Ebay sellers usually have to list VIN's for cars they sell, so you can sometimes find good reference cars there.

[5F09CNot4Sale]

John,
I have a Sept 28 64 Dearborn Fastback. Send me a PM if you want to swap info. Most of my info will cover your car.

Brian

[jtfx6552]

Welcome, I also have a 64 Oct FB as well but mine was built in SJ.  Your car can be considered an early build.  Some of the carry over 64 parts I have on mine are the windshield wiper bezels, heater switch in the center position as opposed to the far left, slotted spare tire hold down, c clips on the window and door handles as opposed to the allen screw, and I also have the small metal trim piece that goes right above the fiberglass panel on the ends.  I can show you a picture if needed.  You might also have vinyl between the floor board and the sill plate instead of the carpet going all the way underneath.  As far as power steering pumps, I believe Eaton was still being used but I'm sure someone who has examples of cars built in that time frame might be able to say for sure...


Chris

I have an Oct 64 Dearborn car, has all the same features you mentioned, except I'm not sure what you mean by "small metal trim piece that goes right above the fiberglass panel on the ends".

Mine has the 64 1/2 style carpet with the vinyl on the inner rockers.

[ChrisV289]

I have an Oct 64 Dearborn car, has all the same features you mentioned, except I'm not sure what you mean by "small metal trim piece that goes right above the fiberglass panel on the ends".

Small metal finishing piece at the end:

[jtfx6552]

Ah yes, mine are that way, I never realized they were ever a different way 

[livetoride60]

I have an Oct 64 San Jose K Fastback and it has the aforementioned early features Chris mentioned as well.  The end piece is called a 'Quarter Trim End Cap" from one source I have.  They are not reproduced as far as I know.  Picture included, although mine are missing  (still looking for a set if anyone has extra

Mine also has:
- early hood bumper (hole in rubber grommet)
- no backup lights, including no backup light switch or wiring for them.
- no holes for rear seat belts
- valve cover mounted road draft tube including non-drilled out carb spacer.

The rest of the car features are pretty much 65....alternator, gas cap with cable, no bevel on hood lip, 6 bolt bellhousing, etc.

[midlife]

Backup lamps and rear seat belts weren't mandatory until the 1966 model year.