Topic: 1964 1/2 Autolite Spark Plug Decal, Mr. Speegle?

[sirbyron]

I have a Dearborn Mustang built July 27, 1964 with a 289 D code, Generator, Automatic with Power Steering. Should I use the "Rounded" Autolite decal on the air cleaner lid, or the "Rectangular" decal on the LH side of the air filter housing?

Someone on the VA Mustang forums mentioned calling out "Mr. Speagle"?  But I will gladly hear anyones advice. I have searched the net and haven't come up with a definitive "yes" or "no" yet on either.  Figured I'd try here. Didn't know this was here. LOVE the site!

Thanks in advance!

[mgmradio]

  From what I have observed on original cars the rectangular one on the pot is correct .

[kutzoh]

I used Bob Mannel's book

http://www.fordsmallblock.com/

as a reference, in his discussion on 1964  Bob states " The Mustang 17" air cleaner used the same decals as the standard 14" air cleaner, as shown in this photo taken from ROAD & TRACK's August 1964 issue a) Note that the air cleaner includes the AUTOLITE SPARK PLUGS decal on top, CRANKCASE VENTILATION SYSTEM decal on the front side, USE GENUINE FOMOCO REPLACEMENT PARTS decal on the left side, and the small FRONT decal all the way forward. This was by no means the only decal placement arrangement. Sometimes the FRONT decal was deleated and the CRANKCASE VENTILATION SYSTEM decal might be located on the air cleaners side or on it's lid."

The book further states in the discussion for 1965, "The second decal was the one advertising AUTOLITE SPARK PLUGS. As shown on this original air cleaner, the decal was placed on the air cleaner's side in 1965, as it would through 1967 production."

I also used as a reference a page from Charles Turners archives-

http://www.early-mustang.com/charles/air_cleaner.jpg

Hope this helps,
Greg

[CharlesTurner]

That pic of the unrestored car is interesting.  The late Al Friedel (long time MCA gold card judge from Ohio) sent that to me a long time ago.  I actually saw the car first-hand at the MCA national in Utah back 5 or so years ago.  Unfortunately, I had to inform the owner that at least 1/3rd of the car had been repainted.  If I didn't know any better, I would say the car was damaged during transport and re-painted at the dealership.  The engine bay was the nicest of an original car that I have ever seen.  Looked like a 1-2 yr old car under the hood.

Anyway, can't think of a better reference, but would caution that this may not be absolute.  Copy at your own discretion, fine to use the reference pic as documentation, but will have to say that the decal placement is somewhat unusual.  Although, not many original cars like that around.

[kutzoh]

Charles-
   Which decal are you refering to when you say the placement is unusual?

Greg

[sirbyron]

Thanks everyone for the input. Yes, I have seen that pic of Bob Mannel's before and have pondered duplicating it, but seems like everything else contradicts it. I guess all in all there may have been no one "set" standard and they could have used whatever was available. Maybe the best thing to do is if I use the rectangular, then yes, put it on the pot of the air cleaner and if I use the rounded, put it on the lid.  Decisions decisions decisions! 

That original pic IS very intriguing.

[J_Speegle]

I would only caution you at reproducing an unusual - or out of the ordinary placement. We've seen this before - one owners sees something different and he/she chooses to add it to their car. Other see it at shows and copies it again .... You get the idea - the end results  is a detail that might have been on a small handful or only one car now being represented at shows one of two normal positions. Might even get to the point were it appears to be the majority.

If it were mine I would choose examples from the same plant, same time as your vehicle. BTW does the picture match yours? 

[sirbyron]

I would only caution you at reproducing an unusual - or out of the ordinary placement. We've seen this before - one owners sees something different and he/she chooses to add it to their car. Other see it at shows and copies it again .... You get the idea - the end results  is a detail that might have been on a small handful or only one car now being represented at shows one of two normal positions. Might even get to the point were it appears to be the majority.

If it were mine I would choose examples from the same plant, same time as your vehicle. BTW does the picture match yours? 

The "build date" on that photo is July 10th it states. Is that Dearborn? My build date on my Mustang is July 27 and is a Dearborn car.  So the build date is pretty close. I have no original pics of my air cleaner as the original was gone when dad purchased it long ago.  I am leaning towards buying the rectangular though and putting it on the pot.  Nice to meet you Jeff. You were referred from the VA Mustang forums.

[CharlesTurner]

Charles-
   Which decal are you refering to when you say the placement is unusual?

Greg

The coolant decal on the lid is not something we normally see...

[kutzoh]

I agree, maybe bad examples but I was trying to show examples of the Autolite decal location on lid vs side as that was what the OP was asking.

Greg

[sirbyron]

Thanks Greg, I appreciate the responses. I have also on order now Bob Mannel's book and look forward to digging in to it when I receive it.

[J_Speegle]

The "build date" on that photo is July 10th it states. Is that Dearborn?

Yes since the other two plants had not started production at by that date

My build date on my Mustang is July 27 and is a Dearborn car.  So the build date is pretty close. I have no original pics of my air cleaner as the original was gone when dad purchased it long ago.  I am leaning towards buying the rectangular though and putting it on the pot.  Nice to meet you Jeff. You were referred from the VA Mustang forums.

The Autolite decals (likely not just paper) didn't hold up as well as the engine cu over the years so we have fewer original examples to guide us.

With that date your car is likely in the 214xxx serial number range and looking at my pictures I found the following

As Charles mentioned seeing the antifreeze decal on the air cleaner lid is an odd one - but out of sharing and fairness here is another example of the same thing from a car around your build date. Our standard practice is if we find one example, its interesting, three examples (same plant, car type and date range) we're interested. So IMHO we're still looking before I would suggest repeating this.


5F07F218129




Looks but no AUTOLITE spark plug decal example

[sirbyron]

With that date your car is likely in the 214xxx serial number range and looking at my pictures I found the following

My serial number is 212637.  Also, I assume that is a 260 lid cover since it is blue? Not that it would probably matter as all the decals were placed the same whether a 289 or 260.

Thanks for the pics. Love all the original pics I can find.

[J_Speegle]

My serial number is 212637.  Also, I assume that is a 260 lid cover since it is blue? Not that it would probably matter as all the decals were placed the same whether a 289 or 260.

Since the air cleaners were installed at the plant I would say that the decal placement (and even the ones that were installed) was a result of the car plant worker rather than an engine plant worker.

And especially in this case where the antifreeze decal is one that was not intended to be placed on the air cleaner but in/on the engine compartment. Though this may be the same worker in both cases and since its an oddity ( so far) it maybe a fill in guy that did not work that station often (maybe only two times   or we would see more of these

Just a possibility IMHO given what we have so far

[sirbyron]

Just found another 21k mile original with air cleaner pics at a place here in NC, East Coast Classic Cars.    I wish they had the Vin number posted on the site but evidently they don't. It would be nice to know that and if it is a C code or D code 289. BY THE WAY, what is that decal on the very front on top?? I see the one on the RH top side ... that is the Autolite decal (curved). I assume the lid is incorrectly turned and the Autolite decal would have been facing the drivers fender maybe? Still baffled by that front decal though, can't make it out. And the 289 decal isn't there at all. The car looks like it could very well be a 21k.  btw, the web address for those interested : http://www.ecoastcc.com/viewcar.cfm?carid=895  Looks like a nice car but wow ... pricey!