replacing data plate

[66ponies]

So today I decided to decode the VIN and data plate on my vert to see what i truly have and how far off the cars current condition is from the original.

The car currently is a:
66 - convertible - 289 2v V8 - auto - Candyapple Red - Deluxe Black Interior

What the Data Plate states:
66 - coupe - 200 I6 - 3 speed - Wimbelton White - Standard Red Interior

The VIN stamped under the hood reads that it is a 66 convertible with a 289 2v V8.

Concluding that the data plate is most likely wrong, would anyone know if I would be able to get the correct data plate for my vert just by using the VIN or will my stang be forever a mystery?

 

[ponyboy289]

Hi,
Based on your findings It's obvious that the drivers door was changed at some point.That said this was/is very common,I've dealt with it a bunch of times on some of my own cars. Replacement door data tags are available & affordable.The only things you have to figure out or guess on when you go to order a new tag are your cars DSO,Original color,Interior,Production date,etc. Have you found a build sheet for your car? Or does your car have a body buck tag under the hood? Either of those would be a major help in your quest to decode your car. Unfortuantely us early car owners pre-67 are at a loss in terms of original production data as Ford had destroyed the records for our cars decades ago. 67 and newer car owners can call Marti auto works and order up a report that tells them everything about their car. That said Marti Auto works is the place that you will want to contact when you are ready to buy your new door tag.

 

[66ponies]

Hey ponyboy thanx again for helping me out!

Basically the only info I have of this car is the VIN. I've checked martiauto.com and found nothing. Their door tags are made with the info you give them so that wouldn't help since I don't know it's true identity. I don't have the cars build sheet and from what I read on the site you cant get one pre-67. So I'm figuring that i'm at a dead end here?the only other thing I can do is try to find the buck tag you mentioned but where would that be on a 66?

 

[ponyboy289]

Hey No problem,I'm always glad to help. As far as the data,That is correct.Like I was saying you are pretty muuch S.O.L. On pre 67 Mustangs as Ford scrapped the data decades ago. Marti will fill out the tag based on the info that you provide. For starters, the Buck tag would be screwed into the upper Fender well usually on the passenger side. As far as a build sheet,Have you ever removed the instrument cluster from your car? Most of the time when you remove the gauges you will find a piece of paper(They are very fragile) taped to the main wiring harness.If you find that you are Golden,That tells you everything,way more than a door data tag. Assuming you haven't found that you're pretty much going to have to guess and fill out your own replacement tag. I can help you guesstimate a build date etc. Take a good look at your car,Is it factory red,Black pony interior,eng,trans,rear,etc.?

 

[66ponies]

ok so the car doesn't have the buck tag screwed to the upper fender well nor anywhere else under the hood. The fender well didn't even have a hole for the screw that holds the tag. Though it should've had it at one point seeing that my stang was made at the plant(michigan) that used the buck tag system.

So does that mean that the front clip was replaced at one point? If thats the case then i cant even tell if the VIN is correct. Ow boy Im sinking even deeper down the hole!!!!!!!

The only fact that I can tell you is correct is that the body was originally turquoise as it is noticeable in certain parts of the trunk area.

Provided that the VIN is most likely correct then i can verify that i have the correct engine but as far as trans, rear, interior that'll remain a mystery!

 

[ponyboy289]

The buck tags when used,only used a small screw so there wouldn't be much of a hole.There were also stories of a good amount of vehicles that missed a buck tag here or there. So have you ever removed the instrument cluster from your car? Like I said a build sheet tells you everything about your car,Maybe it's in your car somewhere?

 

[66ponies]

Ponyboy, so basically I'm S.O.L. unless I find that build sheet. I haven't gotten a chance to check behind the cluster but i highly doubt its there. I can remember on numerous occasions where my father took the cluster out to work behind the dash but i'll give it a try.

On a good note, i decided to decode my coupe also and found out its got the correct door and buck tags. The VIN stamped on the fender matches with them both!!!!! For some reason the DSO was blank on the door tag, what could that mean? Basically, from the info the coupe is in original form except for the canary yellow paint!

Off topic, i found a site that lists all the options available for the 66 model year and one of the options listed was 14" styled steel wheels? Are those the ones you have on your vert?

 

[ponyboy289]

Hey,
You are correct on being S.O.L. Without the build sheet.I personally wouldn't worry about it too much,as I said I've bought cars in the past without the original tag.I think it really comes into play if you were building a concours show car. Like I said If you decide to order a new tag,you can very acurately guess how your car was setup originally through a little investigating,If you need help with educated guesses,let me know? I can also help you get pretty close to your build date,by seeing your vin.

As far as your yellow car that's Cool that you found the original tag,As far as a blank DSO I would say maybe the digit is off too the side or it's possible that it never got stamped? That's been known to happen.I know when Ford built special cars they used unique dso codes.

The rims on the car in my profile photo (my wifes 65 vert)are the optional Styled steel wheels,They were available on 65,66,& 67 Mustangs.They all looked basically the same the biggest external difference was that 66 and 67 Used trims rings on them,whereas 65's the rims were all chrome.I am a big fan of the Styled steel wheels I have them on a few of my cars.I'm a huge fan of options so if you ever want to talk(have questions?) about them let me know,I've pretty much seen them all and have a bunch on my cars (Consoles,Rally Pacs,posi rears,special handling package,disc brakes,etc.).

 

[66ponies]

Alright ponyboy then get ready 'cause i'm really gonna pick your brain!!!

As I said I found a website that lists all the options/colors/interiors for '66 along with their price and now I've got a few questions about them. So instead of going back and forward with replies to this thread i'll pm you.

Also, i wanna uncover the truth about my vert, so i'd like some help with investigating it!!!!!