Classic Mustangs List Archive

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Mail From: Jon Walter (email redacted)

Hello,

I've been a lurker on this list for several months and have found
it most informative. Many questions I've had have been answered
or I've been able to find them on the Web or in magazines. However,
I have a couple that I haven't been able to locate.

I recently purchased a 1964 1/2 6 Cyl Skylight Blue Coupe. I'm positive by
the VIN, build date, generator, etc... that it is a 64 1/2, but it has
a 200 Engine (at least that's what the sticker says). How can I tell if
this is a 200 or 170? Every picture I've seen in books / magazines of
the 2 engines look identical to me. Where on the engine can I verify
what type it is? If it's a 200, is it possible to find a 170 to replace
it, or is that even recommended. The car is rust-free, and the interior
had been completely restored prior to my purchasing it. I would like to
make it as close to original as possible.

Another question about vinyl tops. I have suspected that the car had a
vinyl top on it because of some patch work that had been done to fill
some holes in back portion of the rain gutter. I have recently been
told by someone that those were drain holes, and in fact
did verify that it was a factory installed vinyl top. Is that correct?
If so, being Skylight Blue, what color would the roof have been? This
source told me that they only came in black and white, but some of the
mail order catalogs also have navy blue tops (which I would prefer to
put on if that is correct).

Thanks for any help.

Jon Walter
Lawrenceville, GA
(email redacted)

This read-only message was archived from a public mail list.
Mail From: John Dettori (email redacted)

On: Fri, 6 Dec 1996 07:50:02, Jon Walter <(email redacted)> wrote:
>
> [...] 1964 1/2 6 Cyl Skylight Blue Coupe. I'm positive [.] it's a 64 1/2,
> but has a 200 Engine (at least that's what the sticker says). How can I
> tell if this is a 200 or 170?

5th char of VIN. U = 170-1V 6cycl, T = 200-1V 6cycl. If the car was manu-
factured be Aug, 1965, it should have a 170. Don't forget there was no
"offical" 1964.5 Mustang; rather Ford introduced the 1965 Mustang in April
'64. What ensued was an 18-month model year. I myself have adopted the
practice of refering to the first year Mustangs as early-65s and late-65s.

BTW, unless you know for a fact that nothing has ever been changed, painted,
restored, etc. engine decal on the air cleaner means nothing.

> [...] the 2 engines look identical to me. Where on the engine can I verify
> what type it is? [...]

There is a metal tag, usually bolted to the intake manifold or the distributor
hold-down. I has the displacement and some other codes stamped in. You could
also look at the casting numbers on the block (you'd have to search for them).
I don't know what numbers you'd look for, however. If your car was built in
Dearborn or Metuchen (VIN begins 5F or 5T), the car probably received a body
buck tag, or build plate, held by a sheet metal screw either on the fender
apron near the hinges or attached to the radiator support.

> question about vinyl tops. [...]
> If so, being Skylight Blue, what color would the roof have been? [...]

I'd say white or blue. Buy the 1965 Mustang Facts Book ($3.95 at CA Mustang).
In it, there's a chart of what color options went with what trim options,
all by option code. You can see exactly what was offered.

==============================================================================
John Dettori 86 SVO
VP, Securities Lending Systems 70 Mach I
Bear Stearns & Co., Inc 67 GT Convertible
(email redacted) no parts cars, right?
212 272 6717 <reserved 4 67 GT500>




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This read-only message was archived from a public mail list.
Mail From: Josh Meeks (email redacted)

> If so, being Skylight Blue, what color would the roof have been? This
> source told me that they only came in black and white, but some of the
> mail order catalogs also have navy blue tops (which I would prefer to
> put on if that is correct).
>
There is one thing to remember when you are doing your restoration. THe
catalog's often offer things that are not original. For early models
especially, colors for headliners, vinyl roofs are made that are not
original. All vinyl tops were black or white; all headliners (at least
for 65 were white. They even make color combinations for upholstery that
are not original (ie red and white)
Best of wishes,
Josh Meeks
65 Coupe

This read-only message was archived from a public mail list.
Mail From: (email redacted) (email redacted)

> All vinyl tops were black or white; all headliners (at
>least for 65 were white.

This is not true. My 65 has original pony interior in black, including
the headliner.

Rod