If you own or are considering purchasing a classic Ford Mustang from the first generation (manufactured between 1965 and 1973), decoding your Mustang's VIN (Vehicle Identification Number) can unveil a treasure trove of information about your beloved pony car. From the production year to the engine type and manufacturing location, the Mustang VIN holds the key to understanding your vehicle's history. In this guide, we will delve into the anatomy of a 1965-1973 Ford Mustang VIN, show you where to locate it on your car, and provide an example of how to use a Mustang VIN decoder.
What Are The Parts Of A 1965-1973 Ford Mustang VIN Number?
The VIN on a 1965-1973 Ford Mustang consists of 11 characters, each conveying specific details about the vehicle. Here's a breakdown of the different parts:
- Character 1 This character represents the last digit of the model year
- Character 2: This character represents the location that the Mustang was built.
- Characters 3-4: These characters designate the body style, such as a coupe, convertible, or fastback.
- Character 5: This character determines the engine type and size, such as an inline-6 cylinder vehicle, or a V8 engine.
- Characters 6-11: These characters form the consecutive unit number, a unique identifier for each vehicle produced. No two Mustangs will have the same unit number.
Where You Can Find Your 1965-1973 Ford Mustang VIN?
Locating the VIN on your classic Ford Mustang is relatively straightforward. Here are some common locations where you can find it:
- Owner's Manual: If you have the original owner's manual for your Mustang, the VIN may be recorded within it.
- Under The Hood On The Driver's Side Fender Apron.
- Underneath The Driver's Side Fender.To see this requires partial removal.
- Inside of the driver's side door. The "Vehicle Warranty Number" is the VIN number.
- Vehicle Title and License Registration. These documents contain the VIN number.
1965-1973 Ford Mustang VIN Decoder Example
Now, let's decipher a sample 1965-1973 Ford Mustang VIN: "5F07K423456."
- Character 1 with a "5" this means the Mustang is a 1965 model.
- Character 2: the "F" denotes that the Mustang was manufactured in the Dearborn, Michigan assembly plant.
- Characters 3-4: "07" for 1965 models denotes that the body style is a hardtop.
- Character 5: "K" for 1965 models designates the (optional) 289 CID V8 – High Performance, 271 HP engine.
- Characters 6-11: "423456" indicates the Mustang vehicle number off of the assembly line.
Using a Mustang VIN decoder tool specific to these years, such as the one below, allows you to input your VIN to gather comprehensive information about your Mustang, including its original specifications and production details.
Ford Mustang VIN Decoder (1964.5 - 1973)
1964.5
First digit: "Year":
5 = 1965
Second digit: "Final Assembly Plant":
F = Dearborn, Michigan
R = San Jose, California
Third and Fourth Digits = “Body Type”:
07 = Hardtop
08 = Convertible
Fifth Digit = “Engine Type And Size”:
U = (Standard) 170 CID 6-Cylinder, 101 HP (factory-rated)
F = (Optional) 260 CID V8, 164 HP (factory-rated)
C = (Optional) 289 CID V8, 2-Barrel, 210 HP (factory-rated)
D = (Optional) 289 CID V8, 4-Barrel 220 HP (factory-rated)
T = (Standard) 200 CID 6-Cylinder, 116 HP (factory-rated)
K = (Optional) 289 CID V8 – High Performance, 271 HP (factory-rated)
Sixth through eleventh digits = "Sequential Production Number At The Final Assembly Plant"
= the 6th -11 digits from the VIN number provided
1965
First digit: "Year":
5 = 1965
Second digit: "Final Assembly Plant":
F = Dearborn, Michigan
R = San Jose, California
T = Metuchen, New Jersey
Third and Fourth Digits = “Body Type”:
07 = Hardtop
08 = Convertible
09 = Fastback
Fifth Digit = “Engine Type And Size”:
T = (Standard) 200 CID 6-Cylinder, 116 HP (factory-rated)
A = (Optional) 289 CID V8, 4-Barrel, 225 HP (factory-rated)
C = (Optional) 289 CID V8, 2-Barrel, 210 HP (factory-rated)
K = (Optional) 289 CID V8 - High Performance, 271 HP (factory-rated)
Sixth through eleventh digits = "Sequential Production Number At The Final Assembly Plant"
= the 6th -11 digits from the VIN number provided
1966
First digit: "Year":
6 = 1966
Second digit: "Final Assembly Plant":
F = Dearborn, Michigan
R = San Jose, California
T = Metuchen, New Jersey
Third and Fourth Digits = “Body Type”:
07 = Hardtop
08 = Convertible
09 = Fastback
Fifth Digit = “Engine Type And Size”:
T = (Standard) 200 CID 6-Cylinder, 120 HP (factory-rated)
C = (Optional) 289 CID V8, 2-Barrel, 200 HP (factory-rated)
A = (Optional) 289 CID V8, 4-Barrel, 225 HP (factory-rated)
K = (Optional) 289 CID V8 - High Performance, 271 HP (factory-rated)
Sixth through eleventh digits = "Sequential Production Number At The Final Assembly Plant"
= the 6th -11 digits from the VIN number provided
1967
First digit: "Year":
7 = 1967
Second digit: "Final Assembly Plant":
F = Dearborn, Michigan
R = San Jose, California
T = Metuchen, New Jersey
Third and Fourth Digits = “Body Type”:
07 = Hardtop
08 = Convertible
09 = Fastback
Fifth Digit = “Engine Type And Size”:
T = (Standard) 200 CID 6-Cylinder, 120 HP (factory-rated)
C = (Optional) 289 CID V8, 2-Barrel, 200 HP (factory-rated)
A = (Optional) 289 CID V8, 4-Barrel, 225 HP (factory-rated)
K = (Optional) 289 CID V8, 4-Barrel - High Performance, 271 HP (factory-rated)
Z = (Optional) 390 CID V8, 4-Barrel, 315 HP (factory-rated)
Sixth through eleventh digits = "Sequential Production Number At The Final Assembly Plant"
= the 6th -11 digits from the VIN number provided
1968
First digit: "Year":
8 = 1968
Second digit: "Final Assembly Plant":
F = Dearborn, Michigan
R = San Jose, California
T = Metuchen, New Jersey
Third and Fourth Digits = “Body Type”:
07 = Hardtop
08 = Convertible
09 = Fastback
Fifth Digit = “Engine Type And Size”:
T = (Standard) 200 CID 6-Cylinder, 115 HP (factory-rated)
L = (Optional) 250 CID 6-Cylinder, 155 HP (factory-rated)
C = (Optional) 289 CID V8, 2-Barrel, 195 HP (factory-rated)
F = (Optional) 302 CID V8, 2-Barrel, 220 HP (factory-rated)
J = (Optional) 302 CID V8, 4-Barrel, 230 HP (factory-rated)
S = (Optional) 390 CID V8, 4-Barrel, 325 HP (factory-rated), GT
Q = (Optional) 428 CID V8, 4-Barrel, 335 HP (factory-rated)
W = (Optional) 427 CID V8, 4-Barrel, High Performance, 390 HP (factory-rated)
Sixth through eleventh digits = "Sequential Production Number At The Final Assembly Plant"
= the 6th -11 digits from the VIN number provided
1969
First digit: "Year":
9 = 1969
Second digit: "Final Assembly Plant":F = Dearborn, Michigan
R = San Jose, California
T = Metuchen, New Jersey
Third and Fourth Digits = “Body Type”:
01 = Hardtop or Hardtop Grande
03 = Convertible
02 = Fastback, Fastback Mach 1
Fifth Digit = “Engine Type And Size”:
T = (Standard) 200 CID 6-Cylinder, 115 HP (factory-rated)
L = (Optional) 250 CID 6-Cylinder, 155 HP (factory-rated)
F = (Optional) 302 CID V8, 2-Barrel, 220 HP (factory-rated)
H = (Optional) 351 CID V8, 2-Barrel, 250 HP (factory-rated)
M = (Optional) 351 CID V8, 4-Barrel, 290 HP (factory-rated)
S = (Optional) 390 CID V8, 4-Barrel, 320 HP (factory-rated), GT
Q = (Optional) 428 CID V8, 4-Barrel, 335 HP (factory-rated), Cobra Jet or Super Cobra Jet
R = (Optional) 428 CID V8, 4-Barrel, 360 HP (factory-rated), Cobra Jet or Super Cobra Jet, Ram Air
Sixth through eleventh digits = "Sequential Production Number At The Final Assembly Plant"
= the 6th -11 digits from the VIN number provided
1970
First digit: "Year":
0 = 1970
Second digit: "Final Assembly Plant":
F = Dearborn, Michigan
R = San Jose, California
T = Metuchen, New Jersey
Third and Fourth Digits = “Body Type”:
01 = Hardtop
03 = Convertible
02 = Fastback or Fastback Boss
04 = Hardtop Grande
05 = Fastback Mach 1
Fifth Digit = “Engine Type And Size”:
T = (Standard) 200 CID 6-Cylinder, 120 HP (factory-rated)
V = (Optional) 240 CID 6-Cylinder, 150 HP (factory-rated)
L = (Optional) 250 CID 6-Cylinder, 155 HP (factory-rated)
F = (Optional) 302 CID V8, 2-Barrel, 220 HP (factory-rated)
H = (Optional) 351 CID V8, 2-Barrel, 250 HP (factory-rated)
M = (Optional) 351 CID V8, 4-Barrel, 300 HP (factory-rated)
G = (Optional) 302 CID V8, 4-Barrel, Boss, 290 HP (factory-rated)
Q = (Optional) 428 CID V8, 4-Barrel, Cobra Jet - 335 HP (factory-rated), Super Cobra Jet - 360 HP (factory-rated)
R = (Optional) 428 CID V8, 4-Barrel, Cobra Jet - 335 HP (factory-rated), Super Cobra Jet - 360 HP (factory-rated), Ram Air
Z = (Optional) 429 CID V8, 4-Barrel, Boss, 375 HP (factory-rated)
Sixth through eleventh digits = "Sequential Production Number At The Final Assembly Plant"
= the 6th -11 digits from the VIN number provided
1971
First digit: "Year":
1 = 1971
Second digit: "Final Assembly Plant":
F = Dearborn, Michigan
T = Metuchen, New Jersey
Third and Fourth Digits = “Body Type”:
01 = Hardtop
03 = Convertible
02 = Fastback or Fastback Boss
04 = Hardtop Grande
05 = Fastback Mach 1
Fifth Digit = “Engine Type And Size”:
L = (Standard) 250 CID 6-Cylinder, 145 HP (factory-rated)
F = (Optional) 302 CID V8, 2-Barrel, 210 HP (factory-rated)
H = (Optional) 351 CID V8, 2-Barrel, 240 HP (factory-rated)
M = (Optional Before May 1971) 351 CID V8 (Cleveland), 4-Barrel, 285 HP (factory-rated)
Q = (Optional After May 1971) 351 CID V8, 4-Barrel, 330 HP (factory-rated), Boss
C = (Optional) 429 CID V8, 4-Barrel, Cobra Jet, 370 HP (factory-rated)
J = (Optional) 429 CID V8, 4-Barrel, Super Cobra Jet Ram Air, 375 HP (factory-rated)
Sixth through eleventh digits = "Sequential Production Number At The Final Assembly Plant"
= the 6th -11 digits from the VIN number provided
1972
First digit: "Year":
2 = 1972
Second digit: "Final Assembly Plant":
F = Dearborn, Michigan
Third and Fourth Digits = “Body Type”:
01 = Hardtop
03 = Convertible
02 = Fastback
04 = Hardtop Grande
05 = Fastback Mach 1
Fifth Digit = “Engine Type And Size”:
L = (Standard) 250 CID 6-Cylinder, 98 HP (factory-rated)
F = (Optional) 302 CID V8, 2-Barrel, 140 HP (factory-rated)
H = (Optional) 351 CID V8 (Cleveland), 2-Barrel, 163 HP (factory-rated)
M = (Optional) 351 CID V8 (Cleveland), 4-Barrel, 248 HP (factory-rated)
Q = (Optional) 351 CID V8 (Cleveland), 4-Barrel, 266 HP (factory-rated)
Sixth through eleventh digits = "Sequential Production Number At The Final Assembly Plant"
= the 6th -11 digits from the VIN number provided
1973
First digit: "Year":
3 = 1973
Second digit: "Final Assembly Plant":
F = Dearborn, Michigan
Third and Fourth Digits = “Body Type”:
01 = Hardtop
03 = Convertible
02 = Fastback
04 = Hardtop Grande
05 = Fastback Mach 1
Fifth Digit = “Engine Type And Size”:
L = (Standard) 250 CID 6-Cylinder, 98 HP (factory-rated)
F = (Optional) 302 CID V8, 2-Barrel, 140 HP (factory-rated)
H = (Optional) 351 CID V8 (Windsor), 2-Barrel, 177 HP (factory-rated)
Q = (Optional) 351 CID V8 (Cleveland), 4-Barrel, 266 HP (factory-rated), Cobra Jet
Sixth through eleventh digits = "Sequential Production Number At The Final Assembly Plant"
= the 6th -11 digits from the VIN number provided
Decoding your Mustang's VIN is not only a fascinating historical exercise but also a practical tool for restoration projects and ensuring your classic pony car remains true to its heritage. So, take the time to decode your 1965-1973 Ford Mustang's VIN and discover the secrets it holds about your iconic American muscle car.
