Topic: Quick ID of years

[KevinK]

At a recent Mustang Club Meeting, I presented a simple test to ID Mustangs by year.  Overall the test went over well but the number of correct answers was much lower than I expected, at 50%. Granted small photos did not help with the ID process.  I am not an expert on the earlier cars and would like some quick ID tips for identifying 64.5,  65 and 66 cars that I could pass onto club members.

64.5 Generator, Color keyed door lock knobs and cardboard sill covers.
65 Alternator ?
66 ?

Can anyone provide some more details which provides a quick ID for the years?  I realize some items are ongoing production changes.  Thanks in advance.

[J_Speegle]

Don't get hung up IMHO on the features since these are often replaced/swapped/changed already on a car your looking at. Many of early parts were used well into 65 production until the products were used up then replaced by the newer version. Some can't be viewed on an assembled car and many may have been replaced due to rust or earlier accidents. Unfortunately you can't go by the features since few cars are untouched originals.

Bottom line the quick method is to simply use the VIN IMHO

1964 1/2 - VIN starts with 5Fxxx100001, 5Rxxx100001 or later

1965 - VIN starts with 5Fxxx250000, 5Txxx100001, 5Rxxx125000 or later

1966 - VIN starts with 6Fxxx100001, 6Txxx100001, 6Rxxx100001 or later

Don't believe any list of parts, exterior colors, and other details would not be quick or easy

Sure that others will share their option and knowledge on the subject

[CharlesTurner]

Agree with Jeff, easiest identifier is usually the VIN, especially when differentiating between a 64.5 and 65.

Some other easy identifiers between 65 and 66

-65 has honeycomb grille, 66 has horizontal bars grille
-65 has black plastic center gas cap, 66 has all chrome gas cap with raised running horse emblem (or GT)

A lot of other items cross over, depending on options.

[KevinK]

Thanks Jeff.  I forgot to think about the VIN.

Thanks Charles.  I was looking for exactly that. A couple of little details to go by as you mentioned.

[Hawkeye]

Aren't the horns a pretty easy tell?  Those huge horns on '64.5s are hard to miss, and not likely to miss swapped out.

[CharlesTurner]

Aren't the horns a pretty easy tell?  Those huge horns on '64.5s are hard to miss, and not likely to miss swapped out.

Yes, but the VIN really is the end all determining factor no matter the parts... at least differentiating between a 64.5 and 65.