Or you can opt for a professional classic car specialist such as QUALITY CLASSICS, then you are on the safe side, whether it is a 1964 1/2 or another classic.
Thanks. Great video!! Some additional differentiators: #8: Interior Air Vent Knob. 1964-1/2 has a White Upper Case "A" on the face of the Black Knob. #9: Check all Sheet Metal Panels, Fenders, Hood and Trunk Stamping Dates and Stamping Plant Codes. They should all be valid and correct!!! (March, April, May, June, July, early August of 1964) #10: Trunk Spare Tire Hold-Down Bracket should be "slotted". I own a 1964-1/2, D-Code (289CID, 4-Barrel Carb), Convertible, Rangoon Red, Red Interior, White Top and White Boot!!! VIN: 5F08D176057 🙂
Thank you Bob for your contribution; very valid and absolutely correct. In this video I did only some few characteristics that can be seen from outside. I did already some other videos last year with exactly your mentioned differentiators such as air vent knob AND ALSO a special video exactly about the „original“ panels and the stamping dates, as you also mentioned. I would very appreciate if you could check these videos and leave your comment. It really looks like you are also a passionate 1964 1/2 expert. Best regards 😀
Its important to note that FORD titled all Mustangs up to the 1966 model year as 1965, therefore all have a 5 as the first number of the VIN. The 1964 1/2 label was shown on some early FORD advertising due to the car being released in April of 1964 as opposed to later in the summer or fall as usual. There are actually more differences between "64 1/2" and "65" than there are between "65" and "66", but due to the grill style, side ornamentation, wheel covers and the like, there appears to be more differences between "65" and "66". Due to different plants using up different components as production went, and FORD running all 3 plants for 3 shifts to try to fill demand, there are often mixes of some parts of "64 1/2" and "65" when the lines were switching over. The only real concrete difference between the two was the electrical system which changed from a generator "GEN" to an alternator "ALT" charging system. This also was the reason for the battery vents as well as the bigger dual horns used for "64 1/2". That is taking for granted that any one car in question had not had its charging system changed at some point in time. I used to own a "65" coupe that had an assembly date close to the cross over. It was a alternator charging system car, but had the "64 1/2" wipers and pivots, air fan switch had the off position in the middle, had the clip on door handles and window cranks, and the spare tire hold down used the earlier carriage style bolt and slot as opposed to the hook and loop style of later. It also had the early 13 inch wheels, no backup lights, but did have the cable attaching the gas cap to the body. This was a great video, and I am now off to watch your others to see what else you find between "64 1/2" and "65", cheers.
You are a great connoisseur and obviously a very proven specialist. Your comments are very valuable and I am sure you will find some of them in one of my videos. I am very pleased that I have visitors and experts like you on the channel. Thank you very much.
The beveled headlight extensions are not an absolute guarantee that it is a 64 1/2. they seem to have been used sporadically during the production run. Possibly due to different suppliers of the parts. Mustang serial # 1 at the Henry Ford Museum actually has the later non beveled headlight extensions on it.
Thanks, good to know and absolutely possible. Therefore not a single characteristic alone verifies a real 1964 1/2; several distinguishing features must be present, including the correct VIN number. Including some papers documenting the origin of the car would of course be the best of the best. And even without all this stuff you can have wonderful fun with any classic Mustang. Just don’t pay a premium for something which is not true and verified.
The wiper blades is one I did not know I will have to look on my D code mustang . On cars with the automatic the knob on the Shifter is a different size also. And the funny thing is alot of parts the part numbers starts with C4ZZ one the cars
Blades can easily be replaced with chromed and shiny ones (if allowed , because of blinding by the sun). Shifter has to be in a different sice, that’s correct (please watch my other video with interior differences). Part number C4… can mean, production March 1964, but depending which part… Have fun with your car. You drive a legend whether it is 1964 1/2 or otherwise.
Thats true and thank you for your comment. But as I have the information, back up lights could have been ordered as an „option“ back in these days. Then up from Autumn 1964 back up lights were standard equipment. Does anybody else have more details about these back up lights?
I just checked it in the original sales brochure from March 1964 (Btw, there is a separate video of this sales brochure from 1964). Backup Lights were an option under the section „convenience“. Therefore 1964 1/2 cars can have backup lights and it is not fake. If you have an early car without, even better. Does anybody know the price for this option back on 1964?
@@1964FordMustang - That's interesting thanks for sharing, I didn't know that the backup lights were an option in 64 1/2, that was always my go to tell. There were several differences between 65 & 66 but my number 1 tell for that was the chrome trim at the back of the cove. The 65 was just a basic chrome piece, whereas the 66 had a chrome piece with 3 little fingers coming off. I had a red 65 growing up with the small straight 6. Not a fast car but it sure looked good, and it was fun to cruise around slow in. It's amazing how inexpensive those cars were back in the late 70's and early 80's. I think I paid $1,200 for my 65 Mustang in 1979. I also had a 1969 Z-28 Camaro with the DZ-302 motor and a 4-speed that I bought in 1983 for $4,000.
@@1964FordMustang Well, this backroom inventory was mostly being used up on Falcons but sales of those weren't getting rid of the piles fast enough. Since the new mustang was a rebodied Falcon, they used as much of this aging inventory as possible. Just be glad the Falcon never had a 4 cylinder motor. 😀
Door lock buttons are color keyed to the interior color, instrument cluster has a light that says GEN not ALT,, Only the 260 V8 2bbl engine option for V8. Came with a generator not an alternator. many many other differences.
Absolutely correct, many other differences. But I have already shown these differences in my other videos. This particular video shows only „quick“ findings as seen from the OUTSIDE of the car. Btw. I will publish another video this week, which will show differences in the engine compartment only. Looking forward to your comment and supplements.
Absolutely correct or the two barrel carb F-Code. Both these V8 are Mustang 1964 1/2 engines only. Of course the flat six cylinder U-Code is a 1964 1/2 characteristic also and engine that can be found only on these first Mustangs and before on Falcons.
Probably not, but isn’t it very unusual to launch a car in April with a model date already for the following year? It's not my invention, but that's probably why this expression exist. But due to this fun fact, sellers and car dealers try to squeeze more money out of some „fake“ 1964 1/2 cars. What is your opinion?
@@1964FordMustang My opinion is that I owned the same early sequence 1970 Buick for 31 years. The only thing 'early sequence' means for guys with that car (A body, Skylark and GS) is certain parts are a PITA to keep correct or find proper replacements for. But we never called them "1969 1/2" models so I think you're right- in the Mustang world, the '64 1/2 can mean extra money and that's worthwhile for sellers, buyer beware for buyers.
![14 Ford Mustang Commercials from 1964 [VERY FIRST YEAR MUSTANGS!]](/img/1.gif)
Well done and helpful as most folks do not know these specifics
Or you can opt for a professional classic car specialist such as QUALITY CLASSICS, then you are on the safe side, whether it is a 1964 1/2 or another classic.
Thanks. Great video!!
Some additional differentiators:
#8: Interior Air Vent Knob. 1964-1/2 has a White Upper Case "A" on the face of the Black Knob.
#9: Check all Sheet Metal Panels, Fenders, Hood and Trunk Stamping Dates and Stamping Plant Codes.
They should all be valid and correct!!! (March, April, May, June, July, early August of 1964)
#10: Trunk Spare Tire Hold-Down Bracket should be "slotted".
I own a 1964-1/2, D-Code (289CID, 4-Barrel Carb), Convertible, Rangoon Red, Red Interior, White Top and White Boot!!!
VIN: 5F08D176057 🙂
Thank you Bob for your contribution; very valid and absolutely correct.
In this video I did only some few characteristics that can be seen from outside.
I did already some other videos last year with exactly your mentioned differentiators such as air vent knob AND ALSO a special video exactly about the „original“ panels and the stamping dates, as you also mentioned.
I would very appreciate if you could check these videos and leave your comment. It really looks like you are also a passionate 1964 1/2 expert. Best regards 😀
Its important to note that FORD titled all Mustangs up to the 1966 model year as 1965, therefore all have a 5 as the first number of the VIN. The 1964 1/2 label was shown on some early FORD advertising due to the car being released in April of 1964 as opposed to later in the summer or fall as usual. There are actually more differences between "64 1/2" and "65" than there are between "65" and "66", but due to the grill style, side ornamentation, wheel covers and the like, there appears to be more differences between "65" and "66". Due to different plants using up different components as production went, and FORD running all 3 plants for 3 shifts to try to fill demand, there are often mixes of some parts of "64 1/2" and "65" when the lines were switching over. The only real concrete difference between the two was the electrical system which changed from a generator "GEN" to an alternator "ALT" charging system. This also was the reason for the battery vents as well as the bigger dual horns used for "64 1/2". That is taking for granted that any one car in question had not had its charging system changed at some point in time.
I used to own a "65" coupe that had an assembly date close to the cross over. It was a alternator charging system car, but had the "64 1/2" wipers and pivots, air fan switch had the off position in the middle, had the clip on door handles and window cranks, and the spare tire hold down used the earlier carriage style bolt and slot as opposed to the hook and loop style of later. It also had the early 13 inch wheels, no backup lights, but did have the cable attaching the gas cap to the body.
This was a great video, and I am now off to watch your others to see what else you find between "64 1/2" and "65", cheers.
You are a great connoisseur and obviously a very proven specialist.
Your comments are very valuable and I am sure you will find some of them in one of my videos.
I am very pleased that I have visitors and experts like you on the channel. Thank you very much.
The beveled headlight extensions are not an absolute guarantee that it is a 64 1/2. they seem to have been used sporadically during the production run. Possibly due to different suppliers of the parts. Mustang serial # 1 at the Henry Ford Museum actually has the later non beveled headlight extensions on it.
Thanks, good to know and absolutely possible. Therefore not a single characteristic alone verifies a real 1964 1/2; several distinguishing features must be present, including the correct VIN number. Including some papers documenting the origin of the car would of course be the best of the best. And even without all this stuff you can have wonderful fun with any classic Mustang. Just don’t pay a premium for something which is not true and verified.
The wiper blades is one I did not know I will have to look on my D code mustang . On cars with the automatic the knob on the Shifter is a different size also. And the funny thing is alot of parts the part numbers starts with C4ZZ one the cars
Blades can easily be replaced with chromed and shiny ones (if allowed , because of blinding by the sun).
Shifter has to be in a different sice, that’s correct (please watch my other video with interior differences).
Part number C4… can mean, production March 1964, but depending which part…
Have fun with your car. You drive a legend whether it is 1964 1/2 or otherwise.
#7: Back up lights, the 64.5 doesn’t have them, the 65’s do.
Thats true and thank you for your comment. But as I have the information, back up lights could have been ordered as an „option“ back in these days. Then up from Autumn 1964 back up lights were standard equipment. Does anybody else have more details about these back up lights?
I just checked it in the original sales brochure from March 1964
(Btw, there is a separate video of this sales brochure from 1964).
Backup Lights were an option under the section „convenience“. Therefore 1964 1/2 cars can have backup lights and it is not fake. If you have an early car without, even better. Does anybody know the price for this option back on 1964?
@@1964FordMustang - That's interesting thanks for sharing, I didn't know that the backup lights were an option in 64 1/2, that was always my go to tell. There were several differences between 65 & 66 but my number 1 tell for that was the chrome trim at the back of the cove. The 65 was just a basic chrome piece, whereas the 66 had a chrome piece with 3 little fingers coming off. I had a red 65 growing up with the small straight 6. Not a fast car but it sure looked good, and it was fun to cruise around slow in. It's amazing how inexpensive those cars were back in the late 70's and early 80's. I think I paid $1,200 for my 65 Mustang in 1979. I also had a 1969 Z-28 Camaro with the DZ-302 motor and a 4-speed that I bought in 1983 for $4,000.
True, the prices earlier compared to today are crazy and also what was optional and today standard equipment. Thanks for your additional details.
It seems as if real specialists are at work here.
On Ford's up to sometime in the seventies the date the year of the car is on the tail light it's written on the taillight that's all you need to know
Thanks for the wonderful clue and additional feature for the identification.
13" wheels on some 6 cylinder 1964 1/2 Mustangs.
absolutely correct; thanks for this addition.
@@1964FordMustang Well, this backroom inventory was mostly being used up on Falcons but sales of those weren't getting rid of the piles fast enough. Since the new mustang was a rebodied Falcon, they used as much of this aging inventory as possible. Just be glad the Falcon never had a 4 cylinder motor. 😀
Door lock buttons are color keyed to the interior color, instrument cluster has a light that says GEN not ALT,, Only the 260 V8 2bbl engine option for V8. Came with a generator not an alternator. many many other differences.
Absolutely correct, many other differences. But I have already shown these differences in my other videos. This particular video shows only „quick“ findings as seen from the OUTSIDE of the car.
Btw. I will publish another video this week, which will show differences in the engine compartment only. Looking forward to your comment and supplements.
If you're looking for a 64.5, look for a D code. Guaranteed 64.5
Absolutely correct or the two barrel carb F-Code. Both these V8 are Mustang 1964 1/2 engines only.
Of course the flat six cylinder U-Code is a 1964 1/2 characteristic also and engine that can be found only on these first Mustangs and before on Falcons.
For years Ford would not say it ever made a "64 1/2" Mustang. They were '65s. Have they changed their tune?
Probably not, but isn’t it very unusual to launch a car in April with a model date already for the following year? It's not my invention, but that's probably why this expression exist.
But due to this fun fact, sellers and car dealers try to squeeze more money out of some „fake“ 1964 1/2 cars. What is your opinion?
@@1964FordMustang My opinion is that I owned the same early sequence 1970 Buick for 31 years. The only thing 'early sequence' means for guys with that car (A body, Skylark and GS) is certain parts are a PITA to keep correct or find proper replacements for. But we never called them "1969 1/2" models so I think you're right- in the Mustang world, the '64 1/2 can mean extra money and that's worthwhile for sellers, buyer beware for buyers.