Differences Between 1964-1/2 and 1965 Mustangs

Information provided by: Christopher Duffy

This is an overview to help determine of your car is a 64-1/2 or not. The car may have all of the items listed, or just a few. This can be due to variations in production lines and parts supply at that plant. Some items can carry over into the 65 production line, as people on the line would use up what they had.
There are be other detail items, such as casting numbers, that have been intentionally missed due to space.

Logistical

* Production began March 9, 1964 and ended August 17,1964
* Only Coupes and Convertibles were produced during this time
* Only Generator equipped cars were produced during this time
* Date codes are ÒCÓ through ÒHÓ, found on the Data plate 

Engines Displacement & Code

* 170 cubic inch 6cyl 1bbl "V"
* 260 cubic inch 8cyl 2bbl "F"
* 289 cubic inch 8cyl 4bbl "D"
* *289 cubic inch 8cyl 4bbl "K"
* * Available in June of 1964 

Exterior

* The Gas Cap has no retaining wire.
* The edges of the Hood have stiffening skirts ( bevels) on its lower left and right side
* The Grill panels have corresponding bevels to the hood skirts
* The Mustang lettering on the front fenders is 4-3/8", later lengthened to 5"
* Windshield Wiper shafts bases are pot metal and have a threaded escutcheon 

Interior

* Door Locks are color-keyed to interior, changed to chrome in later production
* Owners Manual states 170 C.I. six cylinder, and the 260 low compression V8, and the 

Hi-Performance 289 V8

* The fresh air vent on the drivers side is marked with a White "A"
* Door handles and Window cranks are held by concealed spring clips, not allen-head screws
* Instrument Cluster has red GEN light (Generator), later models had red ALT light
* Heater blower is two speed with OFF position located in center
* Carpet had color-keyed rubber heel pad, no toe pad, as in later models
* Carpeting stops at inner rocker panel, with color-keyed vinyl under door sill plate
* Front Seatbelts are secured with an eye bolt, later changed to hex-head bolt
* Passenger seat was not adjustable
* Smaller "T" handle on automatic transmission cars 

Trunk

* Mat is grey burtex in hardtops, and speckled grey rubber in convertibles
* Spare tire hold down is slotted for anchor bolt
* Tail lights have 3 wire pigtail assembly 

Engine Compartment

* Hood Bumpers have recessed phillips screw to hold bumper to stud
* Radiator Core support has air vents/louvers in front of batter box for cooling
* Horns are larger than on later models and mounted on the frame behind radiator
* Generators are installed, have black rubber shroud
* Oil dipstick is on passenger side and very long
* Oil filler tube is on front cover of engine, not valve covers
* Small flip open oil cap on distributor base
* Coils is mounted flat on intake manifold
* Brake switch ( 2 wires) is mounted on the master cylinder
* Engine has a road draft tube, with /without a PCV valve