The VIN decode follows a basic standard used by the majority of vehicle manufacturers. From left to right the first digit is the last digit of the model year, the code for the assembly plant (1 digit), body style (2 digits), engine code (1 digit), followed by the consecutive unit number. Each model year has some variation on the Mustang parts; the model years are decoded below.
Information below will help you get the basic info for your Classic Ford Mustang.
cu = Cubic Inch Displacement
2B or4B = 2 or 4 Barrel Carburetor
1965 (1964½ to enthusiasts, but no model year 64½ actually exists)
5=Last digit of Model Year (1965)
F=Assembly Plant (F-Dearborn, R-San Jose, T-Metuchen)
08=Body Code (07-hardtop, 08-convertible, 09-fastback)
U=Engine Code((early 1965 or1964½- U-170cu V6, F-260cu V8, D-289cu V8), (late 1965: A-289cu V8 4B, C-289cu V8 2B, K-289cu V8 4B HP, T-200cu V6)
100005=Consecutive unit number – the order this Mustang was built in the factory.
1966
6=Last digit of Model Year (1966)
F=Assembly Plant (F-Dearborn, R-San Jose, T-Metuchen)
08=Body Code (07-hardtop, 08-convertible, 09-fastback)
A=Engine Code((A-289cu V8 4B, C-289cu V8 2B, K-289cu 4B HP, T-200cu V6)
100005=Consecutive unit number
1967
7=Last digit of Model Year (1967)
F=Assembly Plant (F-Dearborn, R-San Jose, T-Metuchen)
01=Body Code (01-hardtop, 02-fastback, 03-convertible)
C=Engine Code((A-289cu V8 4B, C-289 cu V8 2B, K-289cu 4B HP, S-390cu V8 4 B Big Block, T-200cu V6)
100005=Consecutive unit number
1968
8=Last digit of Model Year (1968)
F=Assembly Plant (F-Dearborn, R-San Jose, T-Metuchen)
01=Body Code (01-hardtop, 02-fastback, 03-convertible)
C=Engine Code((C-289 cu V8 2B, F-302cu V8 2B, J-302cu V8 4B, S-390cu V8 4B Big Block, R-428cu V8 4B Cobra Big Block, W-427cu V8 4B Big Block, T-200cu V6)
100005=Consecutive unit number
1969
9=Last digit of Model Year (1969)
F=Assembly Plant (F-Dearborn, R-San Jose, T-Metuchen)
01=Body Code (01-hardtop, 02-Sportsroof, 03-convertible)
F=Engine Code((F-302cu V8 2B, G-302cu V8 4B Boss, H-351cu V8 2B, L-250cu V6, M-351cu V8 4B, Q-428cu V8 4B Cobra Jet Big Block, R-428cu V8 4B Cobra Jet Big Block Ram Air, T-200cu V6, Z-429cu V8 4B Boss)
100005=Consecutive unit number
1970
0=Last digit of Model Year (1970)
F=Assembly Plant (F-Dearborn, R-San Jose, T-Metuchen)
01=Body Code (01-hardtop, 02-Sportsroof, 03-convertible, 04-Grande, 05-Mach 1)(
F=Engine Code((F-302cu V8 2B, G-302cu V8 2B Boss, H-351cu V8 2B, L-250cu V6, M-351cu V8 2B, Q-428cu V8 2B Cobra Jet Big Block, R-428cu V8 2B Cobra Jet Big Block Ram Air, T-200cu V6, Z-429cu V8 2B Boss)
100005=Consecutive unit number
1971
1=Last digit of Model Year (1971)
F=Assembly Plant (F-Dearborn, R-San Jose, T-Metuchen)
01=Body Code (01-hardtop, 02-Sportsroof, 03-convertible, 04-Grande, 05-Mach 1)(
F=Engine Code((C-429cu V8 2B Cobra Jet, F-302cu V8 2B, H-351cu V8 2B, J-429cu V8 2B Cobra Jet Ram Air, L-250cu V6, M-351cu V8 2B, Q-428cu V8 2B Ram Air, R-351cu V8 2B Boss)
100005=Consecutive unit number
1972
2=Last digit of Model Year (1972)
F=Assembly Plant (F-Dearborn, R-San Jose, T-Metuchen)
01=Body Code (01-hardtop, 02-Sportsroof, 03-convertible, 04-Grande, 05-Mach 1)
F=Engine Code((F-302cu V8 2B, H-351cu V8 2B, L-250cu V6, Q-351cu V8 2B, R-351cu V8 2B High Output)
100005=Consecutive unit number
1973
3=Last digit of Model Year (1973)
F=Assembly Plant (F-Dearborn, R-San Jose, T-Metuchen)
01=Body Code (01-hardtop, 02-Sportsroof, 03-convertible, 04-Grande, 05-Mach 1)
F=Engine Code((F-302cu V8 2B, H-351cu V8 2B, L-250cu V6
, Q-351cu V8 2B)
100005=Consecutive unit number
Door Tags
The Door Tags are usually located on the left hand door or drivers side. It’s important to check the authenticity as the door tag or warranty plate may not be the same one that originally came on the car. i.e. the door was changed after an accident. Compare the Door Tag to the vehicle VIN plate (and owner documents) to the one under the hood (65-67) or on the dash (68-73) to determine if the plate is indeed the original door tag.
The door tag contains lots of information around trim, colour, axle, transmission options at the time, but perhaps more importantly the actual date the vehicle was built. In fact all the information about your car can be derived from this plate as the vehicle VIN number should be match this tag. The door tags changed designs over the years, however the information contained on them was the same format.
I don’t need to explain too much about these tags as they speak for themselves, the only quick bit of information is around the DSO. DSO stands for “Domestic Special Order”, Units built on a “Domestic Special Order”, Foreign Special order, or other special orders will have the complete order number in this space. Also to appear in this space is the two-digit code number of the District which ordered the car. This DSO is often (incorrectly) refered to as the “District Sales Office” as well.
| (DSO) Code | District |
| 11 | Boston |
| 12 | Buffalo |
| 13 | New York |
| 14 | Pittsburgh |
| 15 | Newark |
| 21 | Atlanta |
| 22 | Charlotte |
| 23 | Philadelphia |
| 24 | Jacksonville |
| 25 | Richmond |
| 26 | Washington |
| 31 | Cincinnati |
| 32 | Cleveland |
| 33 | Detroit |
| 34 | Indianapolis |
| 35 | Lansing |
| 36 | Louisville |
| 41 | Chicago |
| 42 | Fargo |
| 43 | Rockford |
| 44 | Twin Cities |
| 45 | Davenport |
| 51 | Denver |
| 52 | Des Moines |
| 53 | Kansas City |
| 54 | Omaha |
| 55 | St. Louis |
| 61 | Dallas |
| 62 | Houston |
| 63 | Memphis |
| 64 | New Orleans |
| 65 | Oklahoma City |
| 71 | Los Angeles |
| 72 | San Jose |
| 73 | Salt Lake City |
| 74 | Seattle |
| 81 | Ford of Canada |
| 83 | Government |
| 84 | Home Office Reserve |
| 85 | American Red Cross |
| 89 | Transportation Services |
| 90 | Export |
| 91 | Export |
| 92 | Export |
| 93 | Export |
| 94 | Export |
| 95 | Export |
| 96 | Export |
| 97 | Export |
| 98 | Export |
| 99 | Export |
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