Topic: Underside fender part number stencils

[Fullbasement]

Did original 66 fenders have the yellow stenciled part numbers on the underside of the top of fenders? And if it is original, does anyone have a good source for the correct size and style of stencil to recreate this stencil on fenders that have the underside painted?

[carlite65]

no stencil needed on assembly line parts. that marking was for serviced inventory only. i have deducted points on concours cars for this very issue.

[Fullbasement]

The same would apply to the front and rear valances also I assume?

[67gta289]

Yes, those as well.

[Bob Gaines]

To add -the same thing can be applied to most the parts used on the cars. They would not typically have part number stickers /stencils on control arms, exhaust, etc. The sticker /stencils  look cool and may indicate a new fresh part(which is impression some are trying to impart) but is not the typical way the car would look from the factory.

[Fullbasement]

A local (Chattanooga, TN) Mustang shop and restorer had some sentcils made up and added the markings to his fenders. That's where I first saw the practice. Then noticed the stenciled number on a couple of my cars fenders I felt to be original due to their obvious age and date stampings, so you can understand how I came to think this was a factory procedure. The fact that they were most likely Ford produced fenders helped add to the misinformation. 

[jwc66k]

In general, Ford part numbers with a "Z" in the 4th position - C6AZ-xxxx-y, are service part numbers and were not seen, ordered or used on the assembly line.

A local (Chattanooga, TN) Mustang shop and restorer had some sentcils made up and added the markings to his fenders.

They were "trying to help" after seeing a service part with that type of identification.
Jim

[CharlesTurner]

The bane of many reproduction parts too, when they use a service replacement piece as their 'template'.

[67gta289]

To add -the same thing can be applied to most the parts used on the cars. They would not typically have part number stickers /stencils on control arms, exhaust, etc. The sticker /stencils  look cool and may indicate a new fresh part(which is impression some are trying to impart) but is not the typical way the car would look from the factory.

Bob - I agree but have seen some really old and original looking sticker labels on the back side of original untouched fastback fiberglass panels.  Also there is the gas tank sheet metal stamping that occurs in various locations (sometimes not at all) on original tanks.  I would consider those to be correct.  And I do recall seeing/reading about some driveshafts that might have had some original stencils.  Just trying to paint (pun intended) the complete picture on stickers and stencils.

So to tabulate where stickers and stencils could be correct:

Back of interior fiberglass panels (label)
Back of door panels (stamp)
Gas tank (sheet metal supplier stencil)
Drive shaft

Where they would not:

Sheet metal
Suspension components
Exhaust components

Thanks, John

[CharlesTurner]

John: You are correct that some factory line parts might have had stencils and decals/stickers, but they would not have service part number identification, which is a huge difference in looking at authenticity.

[67gta289]

Great point. Thanks for clarifying.

[J_Speegle]

So to tabulate where stickers and stencils could be correct:

Back of interior fiberglass panels (label)
Back of door panels (stamp)
Gas tank (sheet metal supplier stencil)
Drive shaft

As we understand it the stenciled drive shaft was a 64-66 thing only and only on every third one made from a length of tubing - stamped by the tubing provider for their purposes not Ford's

Allot of the stickers were not Ford, Rotunda or Autolite stickers (that I can think of)  but identification the suppliers level or int he case of 65-67 fiberglass/plastic  rear side panels in some cases by Shelby since they removed and replaced these panels and tried to return them to the original cars from where they were removed

[Skyway65]

Another question about stickers/labels... 

What about the front turn signal wires for a '65-'66.  The Ford Service parts have the part number, on tape, wrapped around the wires--what would have been there from the factory?

[CharlesTurner]

Another question about stickers/labels... 

What about the front turn signal wires for a '65-'66.  The Ford Service parts have the part number, on tape, wrapped around the wires--what would have been there from the factory?

Assembly line wire tags were usually laminated and carry an engineering number and logo.  Most wire looms have this, but I am not recalling specifically on the parking light assemblies.  Any factory line tags on park light wiring would not look like the white paper ones we see one some service replacements.

[J_Speegle]

Assembly line wire tags were usually laminated and carry an engineering number and logo.  Most wire looms have this, but I am not recalling specifically on the parking light assemblies.  Any factory line tags on park light wiring would not look like the white paper ones we see one some service replacements.

You will find white or off white labels along with the identification labels with the assemblers number also on the major looms