Figuring Out Your 1966 Ford Mustang's DNA - VIN Code & Data Plate Decoding Made Easy

All 1966 Ford Mustangs rolled off the Ford assembly lines complete with a Vehicle Identification Number and a Data Plate. The VIN is stamped atop the driver's side engine bay wall. While the data plate, which is riveted on the driver's side doorjamb also contains the VIN. These two items provide all the details of how the Mustang was first manufactured - the Mustang's DNA if you will.

Decoding a 1966 Mustang Raven Black GT Convertible

In honor of Henry Ford, the originator of the automotive assembly line, let's decode the data plate and VIN on a racy Raven Black (code A) 1966 Mustang (code 6 in the VIN for model year 1966) GT convertible with a luxury interior (code 76B). When those Ford Model Ts started rolling off the Ford assembly line in the early 1900's in Dearborn, Michigan, they all wore jet black paint.

Above: The VIN code is also stamped atop the driver's side inner fender wall or engine bay wall, running parallel to the driver's side front fender.

Above: All of the GT badging, fog lights, and Wimbledon White rocker striping is evident on the Raven Black (code A) over luxury black (code 66) Pony Interior upholstery-equipped pony car.

1966 Mustang Exterior Paint Hues

Above: Notice there are more paint colors on the chip chart than there are paint codes. The chart indicates that 1965 spring colors are included.

Above: The black beauty is loaded to the gills with a black luxury Pony interior (code 66), factory AC unit, a four-speed manual trans (code 5), and front disc brakes (included with the GT package).

Above: According to the Date Code chart above, this Mustang was built on September 03, 1966. The D.S.O. or District Sales Office where it was first sold is Pittsburgh, PA (code 14). Below: Since the Mustang is an A-code GT, she's equipped with a Rally-Pac clock and tachometer instrument pack, in which the tach reads to 6,000 RPMs. If the Mustang had the solid-lifter K-code engine, the tachometer would read to 8,000 RPMs.

Above: As the chart just below indicates, this 1966 Mustang has a 3.00:1 standard differential (code 1).

Above: This baby was born at Ford's home in Dearborn, Michigan (code F).

Above: The pony car has its born with 289-4V, 225-horsepower V8 engine (code A) and four-speed manual transmission (code 5).

If a vintage pony car has superb body and paintwork, there's a great chance that a black exterior paint scheme is going to look classy, timeless, and epic, as is the case with this well sorted 1966 Mustang GT convertible. The Mustang served as the perfect specimen for decoding her VIN and data plate. Parts Unlimited Interiors wishes to thank Mecum Auctions for permitting us to publish these photos.

Parts Unlimited Interiors for Mustang Cockpit Components

There's a growing paddock of Mustang pony car interior components available at the Parts Unlimited Interiors website. Now that you know your 1966 Ford Mustang's DNA, paying several visits to PUI could well pay dividends for your pony car's cockpit.