Decoding the Stang
April 28, 2007 by John in Auto
It only took me two-and-a-half years but I finally got around to crawling behind the Mustang and writing down the door plate info so I could decode it using the Mustang Plus Mustang Data Plate Decoder web site. Taking it from the top:
First row:
- Body code: 63A - 2+2 fastback, standard interior, bucket seats
- Color code: K - Silver Smoke Grey Metallic (why-oh-why couldn’t the engine code be K!)
- Trim code: D6 - White Crinkle Vinyl with Black Appointments
- Date: 05A - This is not decoded on the Mustangs Plus site. According to this site, it’s January 05, 1965, a Tuesday apparently.
- DSO (District Code): Either I forgot to write it down or it’s missing, which could mean it was ordered from Phoenix, Milwaukee or something called “Body Company.” More than likely it’s Phoenix, since my grandmother bought it used in Las Vegas in 1969.
- Axle code: 6 - 2.80:1 ratio, Conventional
- Trans code: 6 - C-4 Automatic
Second row, VIN number: 5R09CXXXXXX
- Date: 5 - 1965
- Build location: R - San Jose
- Model: 09 - 2+2 Fastback
- Engine code: C - 289-2V
- Serial number: XXXXXX - let’s just say there were many more than 170,000 made before mine
So, really, there’s nothing special about my Mustang. Still, the price was right. It’s a garden-variety fastback with a 289 V8 and 2 barrel carb. The AC must’ve been installed by the dealer and is probably the most unique thing about it. I don’t see any reference to it anywhere else. So since it’s not especially collectible I can do anything I want to it!
The color was changed, but it was well done–the trunk, engine compartment and interior are all white. I know Gramma Jo had it resprayed white because she lived in the desert. I plan on reshooting with with a white and silver two-tone, so maybe I’ll see if I like the original color and do a two-tone with that and white.
The interior color was changed to blue, probably because the car was caught in a Vegas flash flood more than once. Who knows why she picked blue. Back then there weren’t interior kits so I’m sure it was redone by a local upholstery shop in Vegas. The interior looks great still and will be one of the last things I modify. I’ll probably update all the AC components but make it work with the original under-dash console.