Original Parts with an Original Fit!

Posts by Lee Walmsley

Click it or Ticket! Buckle up…it’s the Law.

Classic Mustang Seatbelts 1964 1/2 – 1973

Seatbelts came in many styles in Vintage Mustangs.  Not all Mustangs were factory equipped with lap belts.  The seat belt was optional  until 1968, when it became law to have them factory installed.  I have a number of early 1964 1/2 – 1965 Mustang Fastbacks that did not have holes in the rear floor for seatbelts.  I have seen at least 2 different styles of 1964 1/2 Seat belt buckles.  These seatbelts did not bolt directly to the floor.  They had a double hook mechanism that latched on to an eye-bolt that was screwed in to the floor.  These hook mechanisms also differed slightly.

If you’re looking for the original seatbelts for your Vintage Mustang, check out our selection.

Parts
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Restomod: A hot growing trend

It’s getting increasingly hard to find original Mustang parts to restore a Mustang to Concours factory condition.  Restomod (restored modified) Mustangs use new innovations to improve performance such as rack and pinion steering, disc brakes, 9″ rear ends, fuel injection systems and 5 speed manual transmissions to mention a few.

Perhaps the most popular vehicles being restored lately are 1965 and 1966 Mustang Fastbacks.  Others include Mustang GT 350 SR’s  and the 1967-1968 Fastback and Convertibles that are being restomoded as a GT 500 E or KR.

Mustang Information
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Vintage and Classic Mustang Disc Brake Conversion Tip

If you install Ford Granada, Ford Maverick or Mercury Monarch front disc brakes on your Classic Mustang, keep in mind that the wheel rotor hub diameter is larger than your average Mustang hub.  Therefore, some wheel center holes will not be large enough to fit over these disc brake hubs.  Check your measurements before purchasing expensive wheels.

If you’d like further information and “how-to” tips on converting to disc brakes, see our Mustang Guide, 1965-1966 Mustang Power Disc Brake Conversion.

Restoration Information

Favorite Mustang Options?

If you had a favorite Mustang with any option at all, what would it include?

Here’s mine:

1965 GT Mustang Fastback 2+2

FAVORITE OPTIONS:

  • K-Code hipo 289 (this optional engine backed up by a close ratio top loader 4 speed transmission is a race-ready combination)
  • 3.89-1 trac lock posi traction 3rd member rear end differential
  • Front disc brakes
  • Styled steel wheels
  • Heavy duty dual exhaust
  • Coil and leaf springs
  • Anti-sway bar
  • Fog lights
  • Red colored Pony interior
  • Exhaust trumpets exiting rear valance
  • AM/FM stereo fold down rear seat
  • Shelby stripes
  • “Raven Black” colored body

And, the list wouldn’t be complete without my 2nd favorite:

1967 GT Mustang Convertible Shelby Clone

FAVORITE OPTIONS:

  • K-Code hipo 289 (this optional engine, backed by a C-4 automatic transmission, makes for easy cruisin’
  • 3.00.1 standard 8″ rear end
  • Front power disc brakes
  • Styled steel wheels
  • Fog light grille
  • GT pop open gas cap
  • Brushed aluminum deluxe interior with lower console
  • “Aculpulco Blue” colored exterior
  • Optional exterior decor group (tail light panel)

Feel free to share your favorite options.  We always look forward to hearing from other Mustang enthusiasts!

Mustang Information
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1965 Mustang Headliner

Did you know that all 1965 Mustang Coupes came from the factory with a white colored headliner?

Also, most 1965 Mustang Fastbacks also had white headliners.  Some, however did have black headliners.

A lot of cars from this year had black interior.  Which begs the question, what was Ford thinking?  White headliner with a black interior?  Were they going for a zebra look?

Stranger things have happened!

Mustang Oddities

1965 Mustang Bench Seat Vehicles …hmmm

Things that make you go hmmm……

In 1965, there were 2,111 bench seat Convertibles produced (a bench seat is one long seat in the front of the vehicle, rather than two bucket seats).

The body code stamped underneath the lower left-hand (driver’s side) rocker panel on bench seat Mustangs would be coded as follows:

* 1965 Mustang Convertibles would read “76C”
* 1965 Mustang Coupes would read “65C”
* 1965 Fastbacks did not come with the bench seat as an option

I have noticed on many of my 1965 Fastbacks, the body code on the rocker panel is “65A” or “65B”, which indicates Coupe Standard Interior (65A) or Coupe Deluxe Interior (65B).  Some of my Fastbacks are correctly stamped “63”, which does indicate Fastback.  Why didn’t Ford stamp all of the Fastback rocker panels with this Fastback number “63”?

Hmmm…..in too much of a hurry at the assembly line?

Mustang Oddities
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1969 69 1970 70 Mustang Mach 1 Boss GT Sport Lamps

If you are looking for an original sport lamp for your Mach 1 or Boss Mustang and can’t find one, here is a tip for you.  Often times, reproductions are not available and originals are scarce.

If you don’t mind using a substitute for an original sport lamp, there is a substitute that is readily available.

Find an early Ford Maverick or Mercury Comet GT (1969-1972).  The sport lamps on these vehicles are very similar to Mustang sport lamps.  The list below outlines the similarities and differences:

SIMILARITIES

  1. Mustangs, Mavericks and Comets used the same chrome bezel.
  2. Mustangs, Mavericks and Comets used the same lens and light housing.

DIFFERENCES

  1. The wire pigtail and plug differed on all cars and varied from year to year.
  2. The bracket that holds the light in the grille differed on all cars and varied from year to year.

If you are able to find a Maverick or Comet sport lamp, you can easily modify or fabricate it to fit your Mustang.   You will need to modify the wire pigtail to fit the wire loom in your Mustang.  You will also need to fabricate a bracket to hold the light in the grille.

Parts

Ford Mustang Autolite FoMoCo Motorcraft Dual Point Distributors

Dual point distributors and engine applications varied from year to year. During 1964½-1973, there were four dual point distributors used (two of these were Autolite, one was FoMoCo and the other was Motorcraft).

* Autolite: These were used in 1964½-1967 K Code and Shelby Mustangs. They had a dual point distributor with the centrifigual advance. These High Performance (HiPo) 289’s were the only engines using dual point ignition without the vacuum advance.
* FoMoCo: In late 1967 through 1971, all other dual point and HiPo distributors used the vacuum advance. Some engines using these distributors include the late 1967 HiPo 289’s, GT 390’s, 427 side oiler, 428 SCJ, 429 SCJ. These distributors used the vacuum advance.
* Motorcraft dual point distributors: In 1972 and 1973, some 351 Cleveland 4Vs, mainly CJ’s, used a Motorcraft dual point distributor.

You may find other variations that aren’t listed here, such as a 1965 date coded distributor that says “Motorcraft” or “FoMoCo”. Pehaps these were service replacements that were made from 1968-1973, or later.

Parts
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The Evolution of the Early Ford Mustang Distributor

Autolite Dual Point Distributor

Autolite Dual Point Distributor

The early Ford distributor (1964½ – 1973) has evolved over the years.  These distributors served many purposes, from daily driver vehicles up to NASCAR competition.

There were four basic distributors used in this era.

* 1964½ and earlier:  These were Autolite Distributors that had an oil access hole with a small cap located just under the main body of the distributor.
* 1965 through 1967:  Autolite distributors were used, but the oil access hole had been discontinued.
* 1967 through 1971:  FoMoCo distributors replaced the Autolite distributors.
* 1972 and 1973:  The Motorcraft distributor replaced the FoMoCo distributor.

We’ve just listed some distributors in our eBay store. Check them out!

Parts
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Sniff out the vintage Mustangs!

Classic Mustangs are becoming increasingly hard to find, so one has to hone in and use their sixth sense when finding one….you know, their MUSTANG RADAR!! I’ve often been told that I have an uncanny ability to unearth Mustangs even in the most remote locations. So how do I do this? How have I developed this sixth sense?

I began my Mustang obsession 20 years ago (yes, as a true compulsive collector!) I knew what I wanted, bought about anything Mustang related I could get my hands on and amassed quite a collection.  While sniffing out Mustangs is getting increasingly challenging, here are my top 5 tips for developing your Mustang sixth sense:

  1. Visit the suburbs. Most of the cars I found were “laid to rest” here: in driveways, alongside garages, and in backyards. If you are lucky to find one, all it takes is a simple question to the owner to see if he/she is interested in selling it.
  2. Remote locations are your friend! Thoroughly drive alleys and backroads. You never know what treasures you will find!
  3. Keep your eyes open at all times! Driving along one day, I actually found a 1965 Fastback poking out from 20 feet of blackberry bushes. The owner was more than happy for me to clean up his blackberry bushes and haul the Mustang away for a mere $100!
  4. NETWORK! Let people know that you are looking for a Mustang.  Four eyes and four ears are better than two! Obviously, the more people who know that you are looking for your Classic dream car, the more chances you will have for someone spotting one somewhere. A lot of Mustangs are sold without even being advertised. Some people just don’t want to go through the trouble of selling it and if they have a buyer lined up already, they’ll be more than willing to sell. This one has been HUGE for us. We love to network and still receive calls when someone is looking to sell their Mustang, even from as far as 200 miles away!
  5. Check internet sites: Obviously, eBay is a great site, but don’t forget about other sites, like CraigsList. Several internet sites offer RSS feeds. Download an RSS reader and sign up for the RSS feed. RSS feeds allow you to receive constant, updated information. If you set up your RSS feed to receive information about Mustangs, then you will receive a message the INSTANT that the Mustang is posted. For example, if you are looking for a 1967 Mustang Fastback, enter this criteria into your RSS feed from the internet site (like CraigsList). Then, when someone lists a 1967 Mustang Fastback for sale, your RSS feed will give you an immediate message on your computer. BINGO! You can now be the first person to call the seller and go to look at the car before anyone else!

Good luck perfecting your Mustang sixth sense! Where are some interesting places that you have found your Classic Mustangs?

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