Topic: 66 sprint

[ChrisV289]

Was the good guys lone star nationals and in the swap meet section a guy had a 66 coupe with a vinyl top for sale. It did not have quarter panel emblem with a c stripe, full console, and the chrome air cleaner. It was burgundy but the data plate says it should be ivy green (color code r). My question is, is it a real sprint? It had some rust bubbles in the lower door and the lower section of the driver quarter panel wheel well. The guy only was asking $5500. Would it also be worth it? I can post pics if needed.

[Pete Bush]

The Sprint package would consist of the quarter accent trim delete. It would have a pin stripe, console, wire wheel covers and chrome air cleaner cover.  Package "A" was a 3-speed - Package "B" was an automatic.
Build date would have been after December of '65; although there's the remote chance that there were November or December builds.
If it has a build sheet I may be able to confirm the package by one of the codes - bottom line 6th column from the right.

[ChrisV289]

It was an auto and the date code was 21D. Also did not have rocker panel molding.

[ChrisV289]

Here is the car I was talking about.  Again not sure if it is real Sprint or not...Thoughts?  Would it be worth the $5500?  Would need some rust issues fixed.  There appeared to be some bubbles also coming up through the vinyl roof.  Keep in mind it is supposed to be ivy green....

[JKWilson]

It was an auto and the date code was 21D. Also did not have rocker panel molding.

Chris in the picture you posted it sure looks like there's a rocker panel molding there!

[Pete Bush]

Chris,

Rocker moldings would have been standard equipment; even on Sprints.

Paint is not original according to your inspection; so pinstripe isn't either. You need to check the back of the quarter panel sheetmetal in order to determine whether the quarter accent trim was there and someone removed it and patched the holes OR the quarter accent trim was never there and there is no evidence of any holes either. If the later is the case, and it's a bon-fide 6 cylinder, then it could have been a Sprint. The odds just got better.

Remember everything on the Sprint package could have been ordered as separate options on any 6-cylinder car. The only exception being the chrome air cleaner cover, which a PO could have simply replaced. The only way to be "absolutely" sure is the build sheet.

If the car you're looking at never had quarter accent trim, given the build date, and the fact that it would be cheaper to order the collective options as part of the Sprint package, I'd say the odds are about +90% that it was originally a Sprint. What you find in way of accent trim evidence will determine that.

I paid $6,500.00 for my Sprint convertible 6 years ago. (But I bought it from a relative) I'd say that a true Sprint was worth $5,500.00.  I'd also hazard a guess that the number of Sprints produced for '66 was roughly equivalent to the number of GT's made; which may add to the desirability of this 6-cylinder.

[ChrisV289]

Chris in the picture you posted it sure looks like there's a rocker panel molding there!

My bad on that...I thought I didn't see any but I did look at several cars those two days...I'll have to call the guy selling it and see if the build sheet is there or not...It was kind of warm that day and didn't want to be crawling around the car.  It is a New Jersey build T code engine.  I can post a pic of the data plate when I get home this afternoon. 

[NEFaurora]

Yeah,

Get some shots of the sides, and the interior and Driver's door dataplate.

We'll see what we have...

Tony K.

[ChrisV289]

Unfortunately I don't have shots of the interior but it was standard black interior with a full length console.  Below are the pics of the sides.  I called the guy today and he still has it.  He doesn't know what # owner he is.  He picked it up a few weeks ago on a trade.  I asked if he interior has been out of the car and he seems to think no.  I asked him to look for the build sheet in either the door panel, under the carpet, on top of the glove box, or wrapped around the wiring harness under the dash.  I told him to call me if he finds it so I can have him send me a pic of it.  The data plate pic didn't turn out well but here is what it says:

Body   Color   Trim   Date    DSO    Axle   Trans
 65A     R        26     21D     15       2(?)   6

[NEFaurora]

It looks like a real sprint... The only real way to tell is to pull off the rear interior panels and see if the panels have ever been drilled. Also, to check the inside of the panel while you are there to see if it has been replaced.

The odds look good in your favor.

Check the bottom of the car and the bottom of the doors for rust..

Let us know what you find..

I'd offer him $4500.00  since it needs a paint job anyway..

Tony K.

[ChrisV289]

Tony,

Could Sprints have vinyl tops?  Reason I ask is there were these bubbles coming up through the vinyl top and was wondering if maybe someone put the top on to the cover rust bubbles...You might be able to see them in the pictures right above the driver side windshield.  Still waiting to hear back from the guy.  Not sure if he is going to take the effort to look for the buildsheet....I'd hate to see the car go to someone and put in a V8 if it really is a Sprint but don't want to spend the money if it isn't one...

[Pete Bush]

I believe that any option that was available to a regular 6-cylinder was available to the Sprint, too. This would include vinyl tops and pony interiors.

An Ivy Green w/ black vinyl top would look like the Sprint in the Six and the Single Girl ad found here:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/1966-Green-FORD-MUSTANG-CAR-Six-and-Single-Girl-Color-Ad-/220855422964

I wonder if it's the same car

[NEFaurora]

Yes, Sprints could come with either vinyl tops or Pony interiors.  The vinyl top '66 Sprints are rarer IMHO.. Not to many out there.  I have seen quite a few with original Pony Interiors.  Maybe a handful with Vinyl tops. Standard trannies seem to be harder to find in the Sprints also for some reason.. Most were Automatic C4's.

That car looks pretty original.. I would love to see in the trunk and behing the panels.  Also, Rust was pretty common under vinyl roofs...moisture build-up was easier there.

Tony K.

[ChrisV289]

I am going to call the guy again tomorrow and see if he looked for the build sheet...If he keeps it until the week of Thanksgiving I might just go look at the car again in person as I will be home...Looked pretty original but again it was repainted so who knows if they did any modifications...I doubt it but you never know...

[NEFaurora]

ChrisV289, You did not mention what the VIN# was.  If you want to get it into the 1966 Sprint 200 Registry, I need the VIN# of the car.

Thanks,

Tony K.