Nice effort - been following these (since there has been so much conflicting findings and info over the years) for about 20 years. Unfortunately so few untouched original cars out there. Also doesn't help that we didn't collect allot of related VINs and such in the past.
Agree that the taller Fairlane air cleaners are often found today (and in the past) on Mustangs and Cougar likely because many of the factory air cleaners were tossed early in the car's life in an effort to improve performance.
Just a thought but it would help (if you still have access to the info) to start a list with the buildsheet info VIN, date, DSO, GT/GTA and air cleaner part number, from the examples we have to possibly develop a pattern. Currently using the handling package to indicate the GT package.
I'll start it off
7T02S1583xx 06M 16 GT C7ZF-F
7T03S1758xx 23M 92
C7ZF-E (special order)
7T01S1843xx 14A 16 GTA C7ZF-J
7T0?S2118xx 08C 15 non-GT C7ZF-J
7T02S2150xx 14C 15 GT C7ZF-E
7T03S2365xx 27D 41 GT C7ZF-E
7F02S2010xx 11E 41 GTA C7ZF-E
7T02S2629xx 07F 11 GT C7ZF-E
7T01S2934xx 02V 37 non-GT C7ZF-J
As reported earlier have owned two GTA's (72 DSO) with the snorkel and breather style air cleaners during the 80's that I believe were original to the cars. Picture of the one air cleaner I posted above was from the fastback - still looking for the VIN of that car.
One of the biggest challenge I've has been with the different applications (according to some of Ford part books for service parts) in California using a trim code (the GT package) as a determining factory for emissions. How side stripes, exhaust tips and grill lights have an effect or emissions really doesn't make allot of sense since nothing in the drivetrain changed between the Non-GT and the GT. Have not see any documentation of this possible difference (in air cleaner application) in any state or smog check books I have from the period - nor in other brands of cars of the period
Just saying