Topic: no back up lights & a carpet question on a 1966 Mustang VIN 6R08A109445

[polsoncanada]

I thought back up lights on a 1966 Mustang were not optional equipment. Mine has no back ups, a San Jose car

Carpet question is how do you tell if your carpet is original

[jwc66k]

I thought back up lights on a 1966 Mustang were not optional equipment. Mine has no back ups, a San Jose car

Carpet question is how do you tell if your carpet is original

Welcome to the forum.
Backup lights were standard equipment in 1966 for Mustangs. The funny part is, I bought a 66 San Jose GT Fastback (Feb 66 build) without backup lights. Turns out the car was in an accident, the rear valence was replaced with a 65 valence, it had the exhaust cutouts but did not have backup lights. I used the rear valence of another San Jose 66 Mustang that I owned to cut the backup light holes. I have the patterns if you need them. You should have the backup power wire in the rear harness on each side near the tail light housing. It's a black wire with a red stripe. The left side will have two leads, one in, one out to the RH side. Then there's the switch at the transmission. At this point, I strongly recommend you invest in a set of 1966 Mustang Assembly Manuals. There are 4, Body, Interior, Electrical and Engine. You might consider the 64-65 Weld and Sealant Manual and 64-65 Chassis Manual. They are about 70-80 percent applicable to a 66.
Original carpet has a "weird" backing, almost tar like. It takes "experience" to tell. If it's really worn, replace it.
Jim
 

[J_Speegle]

Yes welcome. Hope you find the information and support valuable in your restoration and concours related projects

I thought back up lights on a 1966 Mustang were not optional equipment. Mine has no back ups, a San Jose car

Guessing your not the original owner and the car is not still has its original paint.  But in short yes the back up lights were standard and other cars built with similar VINs have them. Inspect the back side of the valance for spray painted engineering number, other evidence such as paint and primer finishes as well as check the stamping dates and compare them to other dates on the uni-body and other cars built around the same time

Carpet question is how do you tell if your carpet is original

Similar to above. Compare the heel and toe pads/inserts and the way they are attached to originals.

Remove and look for original shipping labels and other markings.

Compare the cut outs of the forward section at the firewall to originals.

Compare edge finish and look for any other differences that stand out in comparison

You may find some details in the Unrestored Picture section of the site under the 1966 model year

[Turnall]

109445 is a very early 66 model. What is your build date?

I could see early 66 cars being snuck in if you will. Going to take a whole bunch of proving though.

Allen

[J_Speegle]

109445 is a very early 66 model. What is your build date?

I could see early 66 cars being snuck in if you will. Going to take a whole bunch of proving though.

Allen

Doubt it would have gotten by all the inspectors (one for every ten workers according to Ford and the union) and the buyer would really be upset since they paid for them. Still sticking with replacement of the valance unless something really positive and even then

[jwc66k]

109445 is a very early 66 model. What is your build date?

This Mustang is listed in the "Mustang Production Guide, Vol 1" page 267 and shows a build date of 20J (Sept 20).
Other info is: Body - 76A (Standard convertible); Color -Y (Silver Blue); Interior - 22 (Blue Vinyl); DSO - 54 (Omaha); Rear axle - A (3.00:1 limited slip); Transmission - 5. (Close ratio, usually in 289 HP cars).
Jim

[aaatp]

One could look for the holes in the trunk drop offs, where the backup wiring exited the trunk. Also look and see if the original backup wiring harnesses are located in the trunk wells, as evidence of factory installed backup lights.

[J_Speegle]

One could look for the holes in the trunk drop offs, where the backup wiring exited the trunk. Also look and see if the original backup wiring harnesses are located in the trunk wells, as evidence of factory installed backup lights.

If the car had other drop offs and a 65 wire loom might want to check to see if the car has been back clipped 

[polsoncanada]

thanks for all the comments and advice, greatly appreciated

I have another question, regarding the shifter knob on my 1966 Mustang. The surface where the gear shift pattern is printed in white is more or less a flat surface--or slightly convex. On many other Mustangs or Fords of this 1966 vintage (or thereabouts--maybe 1965...) I notice a slightly concave face where the shift pattern is printed. What is correct for a 1966 Mustang, or does it vary by manufacturing plant, or...?

[J_Speegle]

I have another question, regarding the shifter knob on my 1966 Mustang. The surface where the gear shift pattern is printed in white is more or less a flat surface--or slightly convex. On many other Mustangs or Fords of this 1966 vintage (or thereabouts--maybe 1965...) I notice a slightly concave face where the shift pattern is printed. What is correct for a 1966 Mustang, or does it vary by manufacturing plant, or...?

So you have a Mustang with a manual transmission
Since you didn't provide much info on your car may we ask what transmission it originally and hopefully still has?


We see by your earlier responses this is an early 66 San Jose Mustang

[polsoncanada]

Jeff, sorry my bad

the car is a San Jose 1966 with a four speed (regrettably there is no door mounted data plate on the car) another mystery-- i have owned the car about 11 years and it is a beauty, but bought at auction with no real providence. The door appears original, how often do data plates "fall off", interested in your comments on this as well

[J_Speegle]

Jeff, sorry my bad

the car is a San Jose 1966 with a four speed (regrettably there is no door mounted data plate on the car) another mystery-- i have owned the car about 11 years and it is a beauty, but bought at auction with no real providence. The door appears original, how often do data plates "fall off", interested in your comments on this as well

No, no problem might consider placing your cars details in your signature. Just wanted to confirm some things I'm seeing that are different between different applications/options

As for door tags falling off. As I want informed and witnessed early in the hobby that allot of non-local (calif) cars rust and have their doors replaced rather than repaired especially back in the day when they were plentiful. Add those to the number of side collisions and I think that makes up the majority of the reasons for this