1968 Ford Mustang VIN Decoder - Data Plate and Build Sheet Insights

For the 1968 Ford Mustang model year, the Ford Motor Company continued to improve upon the already outstanding significance of America's first pony car — the Ford Mustang. Saddle up your Mustangs and let's go for a ride to decipher several data tags and VIN codes. There are a few stunning examples ahead, so stay tuned. We hope this 1968 Mustang VIN decoder will help you learn more about your classic Mustang, or research a car you're planning to buy.

1968 Ford Mustang Convertible Decoded

Above and several below: The Marti Report here is for the 1968 Meadowlark Yellow (code W) convertible (code 76A) that is equipped with a 390-4V V8 engine (code S). The Mustang was built at the Metuchen, NJ (code T) Ford assembly line and is backed by a four-speed manual transmission (code 5).

Above: There's black vinyl bucket seats in the front and a black vinyl bench seat in the rear (code 2A). All 1968 Mustang convertibles were equipped with a glass rear window, which is pretty cool. With age, the silicone glued seal will crack and will need to be re-glued (or replace the rear window). This convertible has a manual black top. Most Mustang convertibles had hydraulic power tops.

Deciphering a Typical Warranty Plate / Door Data Plate

What the heck is a warranty plate? Also known as the door data plate, the warranty plate is a stamped metal tag affixed to the end of the driver's door.

The warranty number listed on this plate may sound like it's irrelevant, since the factory warranty on every '68 Mustang expired decades ago. However, it actually contains some very useful information about the body type, color, interior trim, manufacturing date and location, and much more.

Vehicle Warranty Number

8 R 01 S 100001

Model Year Code 8
Assembly Plant Code R
Body Series Code 01
Engine Code S
Numerical Sequence 100001

Miscellaneous Vehicle Data

65B H 6U 22J 21 7 U

Body type code 65B
Exterior Color Code H
Interior Trim Code 6U
Production Date Code 22J
District Code 21
Axle Ratio Code 7
Transmission U

1968 Mustang GT/CS - GT/California Special VIN Decoded

Above and below: The 1968 Mustang GT/CS is painted Acapulco Blue (code D). All 1968 Mustang GT/CS vehicles were 2-Door Hardtops or Notchbacks or Coupes (code 65B - stands for a coupe with a Luxury Interior). The engine in this GT/CS is a 390-4V V-8 engine (code S) that is backed by the heavy-duty Ford C-6 Automatic Transmission (code U). She was built in the Dearborn, MI Ford assembly plant (code F).

Model Year

Assembly Plant

Body

Above: You can tell that this 1968 Mustang has a luxury interior from the two chrome vertical emblems in each of the four seat backs (series 1, code 65B - blue vinyl interior trim). Mustangs up through the 1967 model year that had the deluxe interior had pony interiors with embossed ponies running along the seat backs.

Engines

Above and below: This Wimbledon White (code M) with black center hood stripe 1968 Mustang fastback has the 1968 Mustang's most prodigious powerplant, a 428 Cobra Jet 4V V8 (code R), a red vinyl interior (code 6D), and a four-speed manual transmission (code 5).

Rear Axles

* w/Traction Lock

Above: You'll notice that the 1968 Mustang GT/CS also is equipped with air conditioning. How cool is that (couldn't resist)?

Transmissions

Above: The Acapulco Blue GT/CS Mustang also sports a rare overhead map light console. This Mustang's loaded.

Interior Trim

Above: Acapulco Blue (code D) is a righteous hue on a 1968 Mustang GT/CS.

Paint Colors

5* Satin Black Trim

Date

The first 2 digits are the day of the month.

D.S.O. 1965-1973

The DSO (District Sales Office) code is a two-digit code that indicates the regional sales office that originally ordered the car. Special-ordered Mustangs also had a four-digit sequential order code after the DSO code, which represented the order number for a batch of similarly-optioned cars.

Above: The photo of this 1968 Shelby (code 8D) GT350 Mustang in Candy Apple Red (code T) is provided courtesy of the Ford Heritage Library. If it's a press photo from back in 1967 or 1968, that means you're looking at a brand new Shelby just off the assembly line. The fitment of those fiberglass parts - the hood, the front fascia (nose), etc. is not that good. These American muscle cars we're restoring these days are typically restored better than they rolled off their respective assembly lines, and the above photo is proof.

Parts Unlimited Interiors Offers Plenty of Pony Car Interior Items - an Expanding Array for the Ford Mustang

If you're renewing a 1968 Mustang in particular, you'll find a growing number of items for America's first Pony Car. Should you be building another year Mustang, PUI's the place to visit. Get that Mustang out of the paddock and back on the open road with Parts Unlimited Interiors!