Mustang-What Year Is This One

[69NovaYenko]

Not real knowledgeable about early Ford Mustangs...so I asking the group what year is this one....`64 or `65? Thanks for replies in advance.

 

Edited April 7, 2022 by 69NovaYenko

[Ace-Garageguy]

To the best of my knowledge, you can't tell from that photo.

For specific detail differences, see:    https://mustangmaniac.org/64-12-coupe-260/

Edited April 7, 2022 by Ace-Garageguy
CLARITY

[afx]

There is very little difference between a '65 and '66 Mustang.  The '65s were released mid-year 1964 that is why there are sometimes referred to as '64-1/2.  The new '65 Mustang was used as the pace car for the 1964 Indy 500.

The Revell kit would be the easiest option to build the car. 

Edited April 7, 2022 by afx

[Bainford]

As the others have said, there is nothing in that photo to allow one to identify the year precisely. The '64 1/2 differed from the '65 by a small detail on the headlight surround (the precise difference currently escapes me). The '65 and the '66 are easily identified by the grill (the '64 1/2 and the '65 are a mesh, the '66 is thin horizontal bars). Otherwise, from a model kit point of view, they are generally the same. Though not part of your question, but if I recall correctly, the fastback (Sportsroof) didn't show up until the full '65 model year.

[vamach1]

I see a GT badge so that should be a 1965 with a standard 289 (non Hi-Performance) engine.  The monogram kit does not have GT badging or the GT grille lights and other GT features.  The wheels on the car pictured are not original.  The Ford production records are not available until 1967 and my understanding was that nobody knows for sure how many GT coupe, fastback and convertible Mustangs were made for the 65 and 66 model years so I’m not sure where Wikipedia is getting it’s information.

Edited April 7, 2022 by vamach1

[afx]

This book is a good guide to the model year changes.

Edited April 7, 2022 by afx

[Dave Van]

TRUE titles 1964 1/2 Mustangs ar few and far between. Most states entered 1965 on the titles. North Carolina DID enter 1964 1/2 on titles and thus many claim they are more valuable. 

Early Mustangs had generators rather than alternators. But these get changed out.  Biggest difference visually is the dash cluster. 65 has a square speedo with other gauges in small squares. The 66 has 5 round gauges with the speedo in the center the largest. When I restored my 66 I found there are TONS of internal differences even within a single year. You have to know your build date before you order some parts. 

Tough call from that photo!!!!! Thanks

My 66 2+2

 

[NOBLNG]

Some good info here:

https://www.cjponyparts.com/resources/1965-vs-1966-mustang

[Rodent]

4 hours ago, NOBLNG said:

Some good info here:

https://www.cjponyparts.com/resources/1965-vs-1966-mustang

Ugh. No. It means it is a 1966 model year. Fact check much, Meghan? 

The first number of the VIN will tell you the year it was constructed. A six, for example, indicates that the vehicle was manufactured in 1966.

[Rodent]

There is actually no such thing as a "1964 1/2" Mustang, but there are literally dozens of differences between the early build cars and the cars built during the traditional 1965 build year. That said, I use the term as well, usually with air quotes if I am around Mustang people.

The "64 1/2" cars had generators but that wasn't the only difference.

Engine choices were the 170 six, 260-2v, and a 9.0:1 289-4v. Later early builds had the option of the solid lifter 289 271 hp.

Some 6-cylinder cars had 13" (4-bolt) wheels. I have heard of 260 cars with 13 inch 5-bolts like a 1963 Falcon 260, but I have never seen one.

Heater blower switch was different

Charge light said "GEN"

Some really early cars had a mostly flat carpet with a vinyl piece between the carpet and the sill panel

Horns were different, the generator cars had huge ones mounted in a different place than smaller horns on later cars.

Core support had battery cooling slots due to the way that generators abuse batteries.

The "Mustang" front fender emblem was a different length than the "1965" and 1966 cars.

Some/most/many of the 1964 1/2 hoods had a short part of the lip that protruded down. Later cars were rolled. Lip protruded far enough that early cars had different headlamp housings castings to clear.

A great deal of the wiring harness was different. The early cars had ground wires on some circuits that were replaced by direct body grounds on later cars.

Early cars had the "dented" passenger shock tower that the Falcon grew in 1963 for V8 generator clearance. I am not really sure when that stamping went out of production, but I have seen it on alternator cars.

Early cars had a brake lamp pressure switch on the master cylinder. Later cars were on the pedal.

"Actual" 1965 cars had the choice of the 200 six, a 289-2v, and a high compression 289-4v, plus the HiPo

As was pointed out, the 1964 1/2 and 1965 cars had a rectangular speedometer, but the 1965 GTs and 1965 cars with the interior decor option (pony interior) had a five-dial cluster that was similar to the 1966, but different.

I am sure that there is more, but I probably pushed it out of my brain.

[Dave Van]

NC did title the very first Mustangs as 1964 1/2.......I have membership #9 of the Mustang Club of America and I have seen other members that had Mustangs in NC titled as such. Also there was a Mustang at 'Ponies in the Smokies'  last week that claimed 1964 1/2 but I did not see the title so........(far right....missed taking a photo somehow)

Edited April 8, 2022 by Dave Van

[Rodent]

Hip Hip Hurray for the genius DMV clerks that missed that they were all 1965s by VIN.