Topic: 1970 Mustang Dash Vin Plate

[Mustang-V8]

Does anyone know what the deal is with the different styles of vin tags on the dash on a 1970 ?

I see some that have the ?F? either side of the vin on the tag and others that don?t , also some look black and others have a silver finish

Right now on eBay there?s about 12 cars that prove this point

Anyone know why there?s a difference ? Was it a mid year change or something ?

Thanks

[cobrajet_carl]

They should be black but it can fade and flake off. The script Fs were added so people couldn't tack on another number to the VIN. VIN lengths weren't standardized until 1981. I have several DB cars and none of them has the script Fs.

[krelboyne]

I recommend getting Kevin Marti's - The Mustang and Cougar Tag Book (1965-1973 Models).

This subject and many more are covered. It is a very valuable book to have for reference.

[K-HESS]

I have a late SJ built 1970 Mach1 with the f 0R05M162xxx build date July 13 1970.

[J_Speegle]

Does anyone know what the deal is with the different styles of vin tags on the dash on a 1970 ?

Are you asking in general  (all plants all production periods) or about a specific period and plant?  Gets messy when you toss everything in a big bucket we're found

Why is always a difficult to answer since we're simply often guessing as to the motivates or reasons of a group of people 50 years ago or more hopefully sometime required by law or outside organizations.

[J_Speegle]

Does anyone know what the deal is with the different styles of vin tags on the dash on a 1970 ?

Took a look and it's pretty simple and straight forward. Just another example of a running change. Early version of the dash mounted VIN had no fancy F's and later they were added to all after the change over point. Didn't check how close to one another (plants) were in when the change took place

[jwc66k]

Took a look and it's pretty simple and straight forward. Just another example of a running change. Early version of the dash mounted VIN had no fancy F's and later they were added to all after the change over point. Didn't check how close to one another (plants) were in when the change took place

This same "f" would apply to all Ford and Mercury vehicles, so Cougar guys, what is your input?
Jim

[krelboyne]

A Federal standard was adopted by the Big 3. A special type set from A-M's 311A type series was used at the beginning of 1970.
Mid year the script "F" was added at the front and back, as an additional security measure. It helped prevent someone from adding an additional number to the VIN.
Page 160 of Kevin's book.

[J_Speegle]

This same "f" would apply to all Ford and Mercury vehicles, so Cougar guys, what is your input?
Jim

+1 To Scott reply. Checked Cougars and other ford and merc models when I was looking at pictures

[cobrajet_carl]

Took a look and it's pretty simple and straight forward. Just another example of a running change. Early version of the dash mounted VIN had no fancy F's and later they were added to all after the change over point. Didn't check how close to one another (plants) were in when the change took place

Based on what I've seen on Dearborn cars the changeover was fairly late. Probably sometime in April or May. The VIN tag I shared above is from a car manufactured on March 24th, two days ahead of schedule. So I guess the earliest DB date is after that.