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  •  » Model year changeover question

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    7/27/2023 5:09 PM  #1

    Muzz 66
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    From: Madera, California
    Registered: 4/01/2013
    Posts: 416

    Model year changeover question

    Model year changeover question…I just watched a YouTube video with a new Mustang in it. The video is copyrighted in 1965.  The car is a light blue convertible with a blue interior. The car has all 1966 exterior pieces. Grill, rocker panel moldings, gas cap, reverse lights all standard in 1966.  Here’s the anomaly, it has a 1965 instrument cluster and a 1965 glove box door, a 1965 dash pad yet has a 1966 low profile Rally Pac.  The car has a black California plate indicating it was probably San Jose built. It also had the six “spoke” hub caps with spinners from a ‘65.
    Could a 1966 car have escaped the factory with the dash pad, instrument cluster, glove box door and hub caps from a 1965?
    My dad’s own early 1965 Mustang had a 64 1/2 hood that was a left over piece but I’ve never seen a 66 with 65 interior dash pieces.

    '66 Fastback since July 27, 1981. Springtime Yellow, originally a 200 cu in, 4 speed. Also a '92 LX Coupe, 5.0, 5 speed.
     

    7/27/2023 6:14 PM  #2

    6sally6
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    From: Surfside Beach,SC
    Registered: 4/02/2013
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    Re: Model year changeover question

    From "what-I've-read".......it is VERY possible.
    I tink FoMoCo sorta just used up the old 65 parts that happened to be on the assembly line, whether it was 64...65...66 !
    Didn't matter to them....they were selling any & all Mustangs like crazy.
    I guess that's why the inside of my cowl and doors were NOT even primered . "Don't worry about it....we gotta make production this shift!"
    6sally6

    Get busy Liv'in or get busy Die'n....Host of the 2020 Bash at the Beach/The only Bash that got cancelled  )8
     

    7/27/2023 7:20 PM  #3

    Nos681
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    From: Atlantic Mine, Michigan
    Registered: 7/14/2016
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    Re: Model year changeover question

    Where is video.

    Interested in watching it, if available.

    My July built 65 and has parts specific to 65 and 66.
    The dash is 65 style, cowl is 66 style.

    Last edited by Nos681 (7/27/2023 7:24 PM)

     

    7/28/2023 12:25 AM  #4

    Muzz 66
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    From: Madera, California
    Registered: 4/01/2013
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    Re: Model year changeover question

    https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=aY7I8jq7Au4&pp=ygUPUGVyaXNjb3BlIEZpbG1z

    Let’s see if the link works.
    Yep, it should. 
    The video description says it was posted four days ago. I wasn’t looking for car videos just scenic routes.

    Rewatching, I think the car has a ‘65 scoop ornament  behind the doors, not ‘66.  Hmmmmmm.

    42 years ago today I acquired my Mustang! Happy Anniversary, Liz!

    Last edited by Muzz 66 (7/28/2023 1:05 AM)

    '66 Fastback since July 27, 1981. Springtime Yellow, originally a 200 cu in, 4 speed. Also a '92 LX Coupe, 5.0, 5 speed.
       •Thread Starter
     

    7/28/2023 5:25 AM  #5

    Nos681
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    From: Atlantic Mine, Michigan
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    Re: Model year changeover question

    I think it’s a late ‘65, probably sold and registered in ‘66.

    Agree about dash pad and instrument cluster ‘65.

    The cowl, wiper arms, and grille are ‘66.

    To me the California plate appears to start with “R”…which would be ‘66 registration time frame.  Back then the California plates were in sequential order.

    My guess would be a Sept/Oct built car.

    It is most likely a ‘65 that was still on the lot and when the 66’s officially started selling, the dealer added the 66 grille, and possibly gas cap.

    Last edited by Nos681 (7/28/2023 6:40 AM)

     

    7/28/2023 5:35 AM  #6

    TKOPerformance
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    From: Newark, DE
    Registered: 12/15/2014
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    Re: Model year changeover question

    In my experience model year breaks are never clean.  First there were multiple assembly plants, so you aren't dealing with one date when the previous parts ran out.  Second, I've seen numerous examples even into the 2000s where a VIN number indicates one part and the vehicle has another.  Changeovers were never smooth or consistent in my experience. 

     

    7/28/2023 8:09 PM  #7

    MS
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    From: Canyon Lake, Texas
    Registered: 1/24/2013
    Posts: 12,218

    Re: Model year changeover question

    I remember seeing early 65 prototype pics that had 66 gauges and other parts.  They probably figured out a cheaper way to make it for 65 and then upgraded on the 66.

    While I doubt 65 gauges and stuff like that made it onto 66 models, it is certainly plausible that “anything goes” when it comes down to Ford getting cars out the door.

    Money you enjoy wasting is NOT wasted money... unless your wife finds out.
     

    7/30/2023 10:25 AM  #8

    BobE
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    From: White Plains, NY
    Registered: 4/04/2013
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    Re: Model year changeover question

    Nos681 wrote:

    I think it’s a late ‘65, probably sold and registered in ‘66.

    The cowl, wiper arms, and grille are ‘66.

    Questions:
    I know the grills are different.
    Correct me if I'm wrong; the difference in the wiper arms is the 65's were chrome, and the 66's were brushed 'silver' color (sunlight glare reduction, I believe) .
    But what is the difference between the 65 & 66 cowls?
     

    65 Fastback, 351W, 5-speed, 4 wheel discs, 9" rear,  R&C Front End.
     

    7/30/2023 2:48 PM  #9

    True74yamaha
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    From: Salt Lake City
    Registered: 5/07/2013
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    Re: Model year changeover question

    My wipers are chrome the base on the wiper arms is also different depending on which year 1965 or 1966.. The stamping in the cowl for a 1965 used a lil chrome base that sit over the wiper arm stud that protrudes out of the cowl. On a 1966 the cowl is slightly different. The arms are also slightly different. There is a local selling a 1966 coupe as a 1965 for someone I think its funny they didnt bother to advertise the right year. Here is a photo of a 1966 cowl. Wiper arm.

     

    7/30/2023 2:56 PM  #10

    True74yamaha
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    From: Salt Lake City
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    Re: Model year changeover question

    This is a photo is from the mentioned 1966 listed as a 1965.


    Here is a correct 65 style cowl scroll in and you can see the base under the wipers.
       
    https://bringatrailer.com/listing/1965-ford-mustang-149/

    Last edited by True74yamaha (7/30/2023 2:57 PM)

     

    7/30/2023 5:33 PM  #11

    Nos681
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    From: Atlantic Mine, Michigan
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    Re: Model year changeover question

    65 style cowl and wipers




    66 style cowl and wipers (I have a July 65 with 66 style cowl)
    Notice the “eyebrow”

    Last edited by Nos681 (7/30/2023 5:34 PM)

     

    7/30/2023 8:22 PM  #12

    True74yamaha
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    From: Salt Lake City
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    Re: Model year changeover question

    I think its funny they dont reproduce 65 cowl top panel only 1966 panels atleast that I can find.

     

    7/30/2023 10:05 PM  #13

    Greg B
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    Re: Model year changeover question

    The simple answer is it's Hollywood.   They used more than one car.   Kind of like there were 150 General Lee's but two that were used for engine compartment shots.  And two Daisy Jeeps.

    If multiple things can go wrong, the one that will go wrong will be the one that causes the most damage.
     

    8/01/2023 6:11 AM  #14

    BobE
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    From: White Plains, NY
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    Re: Model year changeover question

    Nos681 wrote:

    65 style cowl and wipers




    66 style cowl and wipers (I have a July 65 with 66 style cowl)
    Notice the “eyebrow”

    Nos681 - Well, the things you learn.  I never knew that the cowls were different between the 65 &66 Mustangs.
    I had striped a 66 Mustang of pretty much everything so I could install the 5-gauge dashboard in my 65.  This included the wiper operating motor and arms.  I now see that I have the 66 wiper setup installed that, luckily, doesn’t interfere with the 65 cowl.  

     

    65 Fastback, 351W, 5-speed, 4 wheel discs, 9" rear,  R&C Front End.
     

     

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