Topic: Early 64 1/2 Doors

[GT500KR]

 I saw a thread awhile back talking about the fact that the earliest 64 1/2 cars had a smaller lock plunger hole, with no bezel to go around it. My car has the large color keyed plastic lock plungers, but going by the date codes on the doors, they have both been replaced. The driver side had a warranty plate from another car, and the passenger side still had a Ford service parts sticker under the trim pad.
 
 My question is, does anybody know when the small hole doors ended, and the big hole doors began? My VIN is 5F07D1131xx. (I'm guessing about April 14). I just saw a car with a VIN 5F07U1054xx, Date 27C that had the small holes.
 
 Also, I seem to remember seeing a small thin rectangular pad fastened to the door on an early car, that would strike the courtesy light switch when the door closed. Is that possible, or am I crazy???
 
 PS, I'm short one of the special armrest bases (no bevel) if anyone has one.

Thanks.

[J_Speegle]

I saw a thread awhile back talking about the fact that the earliest 64 1/2 cars had a smaller lock plunger hole, with no bezel to go around it. My car has the large color keyed plastic lock plungers, but going by the date codes on the doors, they have both been replaced. The driver side had a warranty plate from another car, and the passenger side still had a Ford service parts sticker under the trim pad.
 
 My question is, does anybody know when the small hole doors ended, and the big hole doors began? My VIN is 5F07D1131xx. (I'm guessing about April 14). I just saw a car with a VIN 5F07U1054xx, Date 27C that had the small holes.

Think there are a number of changes but not sure if all the changes were incorporated at the same time or running through the early production with different changes at different times
 
Here are a couple of pictures from   5F07F1279xx (so likely built after your car) that show the door corners and the door switch plate - don't have a picture from this car for the lock rod/knob area

Also, I seem to remember seeing a small thin rectangular pad fastened to the door on an early car, that would strike the courtesy light switch when the door closed. Is that possible, or am I crazy???

Nope your not crazy - this time - there were little fiber (like the seat adjuster) plates/pads that were used as rub points for the door switches. There are pictures in other threads of these



Sure the early guys should have allot more to report

[Hipo giddyup]

I too had posted these same questions a few months ago before completing my June, Dearborn built coupe. Here are the door pics of an early March built door that I had unknowingly used. It had already been painted and fitted to the car or I would have bought another door.  I can also supply a picture of the courtesy light striker if you need another pic, but even my June built car had these, ( I still have the original doors even though they are rusted through.)

[GT500KR]

 Thanks for the reply, and pics Jeff, and Hipo.

 I just went out and looked at some date codes on the car. The ones I could access, (it's kind of crammed against the wall on the rotisserie, I'll be starting back on it in a day or two), Most fall between March 4, and March 27th. Only exception so far is the left rocker, which shows 2-10-2A, wow. The picture Hipo sent dated 3-18-3B is making me think I should have the small holed doors. But... still might be possible either way if that was the latest date on that particular car. I sure would like to hear from someone that had a lower serial than mine with the big holes, as my doors are in final primer. (I know that's still not 100% as they are not built in VIN order)

 Anyone out there that can shed any more light on the subject?? Do I need to find different doors?... Sometimes I learn so much on this site it makes me sad.....

[DM_1964]

Does anyone know the measurement difference between the two? The holes on mine don't look to be that small...

My VIN is 5F08D1036xx, and the doors weren't in too bad of shape except (and I cringe) a previous owner cut speaker holes, as well as cutting out the dash to fit an CD player

I do believe they are original to the car, I'll check the date code (I have pic somewhere of it).

I've been on the lookout for some time for any good 65 OEM doors, the fact that I live in Australia makes it that more difficult. I think about repairing the doors and trying to replicate the crinkle finish as close as I can...

[J_Speegle]

Does anyone know the measurement difference between the two? The holes on mine don't look to be that small...

If you notice the picture posted above the hole as a beveled edge, not punched out with a straight edge like later ones

[DM_1964]

If you notice the picture posted above the hole as a beveled edge, not punched out with a straight edge like later ones

I hear ya Jeff, and those that were punched out were fitted with a grommet.

I've searched through some reference pics I have, looks like there may have been a combination of sizes when comparing the attached images (the red car is VIN 5F08F1021XX (not sure if doors are original to the car) and well we know Bob's as #2).

[GT500KR]

DM_1964,
 I would be very interested in the date codes on your doors. Especially if the Warranty Plate is still intact on the driver side. That would prove it to be original to the car.

[DM_1964]

Here's the passenger door... Looks like it's stamped 3 5 2B (according to the MustangTek website on decoding the door sheet metal stamp, it works out to be March 3rd, 2nd Shift Buffalo Plant which coincides with my schedule build date of March 24 (24C))
I'll didn't take a shot of the drivers door date stamp but I will shortly...

[J_Speegle]

.... That would prove it to be original to the car.

Only if the rivets are original- not unusual to find a door tag moved though allot were not transferred back in the day


No guarantees   Good to compare dates to other body panels also

[DM_1964]

Pic of the date stamp on the drivers door

[J_Speegle]

Pic of the date stamp on the drivers door

Just as a mention - there are two dates stamped on each door - one for the inner skin and one for the outer skin

[DM_1964]

Interested to know where the outer stamp is located, and can it be viewed easily?

[GT500KR]

Jeff,
 You are correct, I had forgotten about the door skin date code.
 
 Dom, here is a picture of the location, on a NOS door skin that I have. As you can see, it's right at the point where the division bar bolts in, and would be covered by the window felt. I'll have to look at some of my complete shells to see how far apart the codes are  skin-to-shell.


 Dom's doors show to be stamped a day apart, a week before #1036xx scheduled build date. And he has the small holes. Any of you early guys out there have a Dearborn car pre-1131XX with the later/larger lock plunger holes?

[lathamjr]

I just want to ask about the courtesy light plate. Is it the same as the seat adjuster plate? I have a 12C date code car and it doesn't have one. If it should have I would like to find or fabricate a pair. Can you provide any additional details?