As a side note or question - Does anyone know where the information that makes up all the Illustrated Facts Guides came from and who put them together originally? Always wondered they have been around for sale since the Mustang Does It days .
Not to take use too far off thread - just a quick question.
Jeff : I believe that I can answer your question. Back in the late 70's, sometime after I purchased my 1966, I bought a "1966 Mustang Illustrated Facts, Guide and Specifications" book. Interestingly, there was no date on its publication, nor any note of whom it was published by. In the early 80's, shortly after getting my '67, I purchase the "1967 Mustang Illustrated Facts" book. Now, noted on the cover, was "Compiled by the Editors of Mustang Monthly". Then, a few years later, in my Swap Meet travels, I came across a three ring Binder that contained several , differently "tabbed" sections. It appeared that 3 different publications had been put into one binder, and each was complete. One of these sections was for 1965 Ford Models. In looking at the Mustang section, the pages were strikingly similar (except for Model Year differences of course) to my "1966 Illustrated Facts".
In looking at the entire section of all the different Models, it finally hit me. This was the mid-sixties version of Ford's "All the Facts" books. These began being published by Ford in the early 50's (the oldest one I have seen is 1952) as softbound booklets (sizes vary 5 x 7 and 5 x
to give Salesmen an overall view of each years models. In 1957, these became a hardback (8 x 10-1/2), multi-flat ring binder that had tabs separating the different Models, Engines, Accessories, etc. This format was used through at least 1960. Then, I believe in 1961, the "All the Facts" changed to full 8-1/2 x 11 size, loose leaf sheets tabbed for a 3-ring binder. Sometime between 1961 and 1974, the name changed to "Ford Product Facts Book". Unfortunately, since I did not get the correct binder with my 1965 "guts", I can't narrow that change down any tighter. Another name change occurred sometime between 1985 and 2000, when it went from "Ford Product Facts Book" to "2xxx Source Book". While the name seemed to drastically change, the information provided was basically the same.
Being a Ford publication that appears to have provided all of the material for the different year "Illustrated Facts", may explain why no one wanted to take credit for publishing my 1966 one. I have noticed that now, other than older copies on Ebay, etc., the "Illustrated Facts" now being sold note that they are "Ford Licensed".
I have attached pictures of the first few pages of my 1965 set, as well as the first couple pages of its Mustang Section, and a few "evolutionary" pictures of "All the Facts" books.
Hope this gives you the "facts" (pun intended) that you were looking for.
Bob