1969-73 Mustang Automatic Transmission Shifter Indicator Pointer

1969-73 Mustang Auto. Trans. Shifter Pointer.
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Here is another much-needed new part that just arrived.  It is the 69-73 Mustang Auto Trans Shift Pointer.

This plastic pointer is an exact copy of the original and has been reproduced from the Original Ford Tooling.  It is commonly broken and needs replacement.

Our part number is IN-6571.

1968 Mustang Steering Wheel / Horn Center Pad

1968 Mustang Steering Wheel Horn Panel Center Pad.  Now available in Parchment!
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We now have the 68 Mustang Horn Center Pads in the Parchment color.  These are brand new reproductions with nice, authentic texture and excellent fit.  Our part number is IN-7771.

1968 Mustang Steering Wheel Horn Panel Button Set.
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We also have this steering wheel pad available in Black (IN-777) along with other related parts such as the Horn Panel Center Chrome Bezel, Center Emblem and Button Set.

Happy Holidays from Virginia Classic Mustang

Image ©Virginia Classic Mustang Inc

I found this on the internet and tweaked it a bit. I don't know the author (sorry), but it is pretty cool!


'Twas the night before Christmas and in the garage,

There wasn't a trace of a Chevy or a Dodge.

The presents were wrapped and the lights were all lit,

So I figured I'd mess with the ‘Stang for a bit.

I popped out the hood pins and I lifted the hood,

When a deep voice behind me said "looks pretty good."

Well, as you can imagine, I turned mighty quick,

And there, by the workbench, stood good ol’ Saint Nick!

We stood there a bit, not too sure what to say,

Then he said "don't suppose that you'd trade for my sleigh?

I said "no way, Santa" and started to grin,

"But if you've got the time we could go for a spin!"

His round little mouth, all tied up like a bow,

Turned into a smile and he said "hey! Let's go!!"

So as not to disturb all the neighbors' retreat,

We pushed the Mustang quietly into the street,

Then, taking our places to drift down the hill,

I turned on the key and I let the clutch spill.

The sound that erupted took him by surprise,

But he liked it a lot, by the look in his eyes.

With Goodyear’s a' crying and side pipes aglow,

We headed on out where the hot rodders go.

And Santa's grin widened, approaching his ears,

With every up shift, as I went through the gears.

Then he yelled "can't recall when I've felt so alive!",

So I backed off the gas and said "you wanna drive?"



Ol’ Santa was stunned when I gave him the keys,

When he walked past the headlights he shook at the knees!

Then the HiPo exploded with side exhaust sound!

Santa let out the clutch and the tires shook the ground!


Power shift into second, again into third!

I sat there just watching, at loss for a word,

Then I heard him exclaim as we blasted from sight,

"Merry Christmas to all...........what a great night!!!"

2012 Shelby Wall Calendars

We have a very limited quantity of Shelby Wall Calendars in stock.  This is the calendar by Colin Comer.  The photography is great.  The calendar features images of Cobras and 65-70 model Shelbys.

Our part number is LT-614.  Please note that if the link does not work, we are sold out.

1969-73 Mustang FMX Neutral Safety Switch

1969-73 Mustang Neutral Safety Switch Assembly for the FMX Automatic Transmission.
www.VirginiaClassicMustang.com

We now have the 1969-73 Mustang (and other Fords) Neutral Safety Switch Assembly for the FMX Automatic Transmission.  This is an exact reproduction of the original using the original blue prints and NOS samples.  Please note that Ford replaced the 1969-70 version with the 1971-73 version which has an extra wire for accessory options.  When installed on 69-70 Mustangs, this extra wire can be left in place or cut off.

Our part number is IN-606.

Just the Details...More Mustang Date Codes

This early timing cover from a 289 Ford Engine is for an aluminum water pump.  Note the date coding.  The "65" is, of course, the year, and the 5 "dots" represent the months.  In this case, it is May.
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Last week, we took a look at some date code stampings and castings on a 289 Engine.  Today, we will take a quick look at some date coding that you may find on some 65-66 Mustang (and other Ford) cast aluminum parts.  This method is usually a year code along with a series of dots to represent the number of months.

This cast aluminum bellhousing from a 1965 Mustang has the same style date coding as the timing cover in the image above.
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Here is another example.  This time it is a cast aluminum thermostat housing from a 289.
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Here is a different "twist" on the date format showing "tick marks" rather than dots.
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Mustang Instrument Panel Voltage Regulator

1965-66 Mustang Instrument Panel Voltage Regulator.
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Mustang Instrument Panel Voltage Regulator installed on the back of the instrument cluster.
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 We now have instrument panel constant voltage regulators for all Mustangs from 1965-70.  These regulators are solid state, electronic style as opposed to the mechanical style originally found on these Mustangs.  Factory style housings and brackets allow them to provide the exact, correct look with easy installation.

1967-68 Mustang Instrument Panel Voltage Regulator.
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These new voltage regulators provide more accuracy and durability than the original mechanical styles.

Here is the list:

IN-4991  1965-66 Mustang Instrument Panel Voltage Regulator

IN-4992  1967-68 Mustang Instrument Panel Voltage Regulator

IN-4993  1969-70 Mustang Instrument Panel Voltage Regulator

1969-70 Mustang Instrument Panel Voltage Regulator.
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Just the Details...289 Engine Date Codes

The Casting Date on the 289 Engine is located under the area that is hidden by the starter.  The date on this 289 HiPo is 5A27.  This decodes as January 27, 1965.
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While detailing our 1965 GT350 Shelby Mustang, I took a few pictures showing some engine and engine component date codes on the 289 High Performance engine.  These would apply to any 289 Ford and many other Ford engines.

The Engine Assembly Date is stamped on the pad in front of the LH cylinder head.  This date would always be later than the casting date of the engine block.  The date on this 289 HiPo appears to be 5B09.  This one did not get stamped straight.  This decodes as February 9, 1965.
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Cylinder Heads also have casting dates.  These typically precede the engine casting date.  The 4M9 decodes as December 9, 1964.
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In case you wish to compare the dates to cars built around a similar time, I will mention that this is a San Jose produced Mustang with a scheduled build date of around March 25th of 1965.  The Shelby number is SFM5S162.

Flywheels also have casting dates.  The 5A4 decodes as January 4, 1965.  This is the 289 HiPo Flywheel will the orange identifying paint mark.
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The Harmonic Balancers are simply dated with a month letter and year number.  This one is A5 representing January 1965.
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Just the Details...1965 and 1966 Mustang Hood Hinges

Date Stamping on 65 Mustang Hood Hinge.  This is from a Mustang with a scheduled production  of  late March 1965.  The date stamping translates as follows:  3=March, 17=day of the month, 2=shift (probably)

Okay, I've got another one of those "geeky" posts today about date codes.  Hood Hinges on 65-66 Mustangs were originally date stamped like other sheet metal.  The format of month, date, and (probably) shift applied just like fenders, fender aprons, etc.  Later in the 1966 production, the format was somewhat different as shown in the picture below.

Date Stamped Hood Hinge on later production 1966 GT350 Shelby with a May 1966 scheduled production date.  Note the different date stamping format with the "OB."
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Mustang Window Regulators

1964 1/2-65 Mustang Window Regulator.  This is the early style for the clip-on style window handle.
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All Mustang parts are not created equal.  1965-66 Mustang window regulators are an excellent example of this.  I'm not sure how many different brands of '65 and '66 Mustang window regulators are on the market now, but I want to tell you a bit about the ones we handle.

The window regulators that we handle are made by Scott Drake Mustang Parts.  They feature really nice plating, but they are more than just about good looks.  They are constructed of thick metal like the originals and feature heavy duty gears and a high tension spring for great operation.  The shaft has the proper splines and groove for the proper fit of the window handle.  A heavy duty rivet holds the arm onto the main body.

They are available in two styles, just like the originals:  The early style 1964 1/2-65  for the clip on type window handle (our part number IN-108R and IN-108L) and the style for the 1965-66 screw on style window handle (our part number IN-109L and IN-109R.)

1965-66 Mustang Window Regulator.  This is the style for the screw on style window handle.
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It is not always a great idea to just search for the best prices on Classic Mustang parts, because there are often differences in quality among the various brands.  If you ever have any questions about any of our parts, please contact us.

Just the Details...1965 GT350 Mustang

1965 GT350 Mustang Shelby
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It's not really a project car, but we are now "tweaking" a '65 GT350 Mustang in Jeremy Turner's Maple Hill Restoration shop.  This Shelby has been restored since 1985.  It was an extremely original car before restoration, and most all of its original parts were retained and re-installed during the restoration.  We first did some detailing before SAAC-36 at VIR this past summer, but we still had/have a list of things that we would like to do.


Take a look at a few pictures showing various parts of the car.

Under side of 65 GT350 Hood.  This is the original early style hood.
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This is the original early style hood on a 1965 GT350 Shelby Mustang.
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This is the original early style hood for the 1965 GT350 Mustang showing the hood scoop detail.
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1965-66 Mustang Fastback Quarter Vent Assembly shown from the inside with the interior panels removed.
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1965-66 Mustang Fastback Quarter area drain hose shown from the inside with the interior panels removed.
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The 1965 GT350 Mustang had the spare tire mounted on the rear package tray and covered with a spare tire cover as shown.
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Detail of the rear spare tire cover on the 1965 GT350 Mustang.
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Fiberglass cover for the override rear traction bars found on 1965 and early 1966 GT350 Shelby.
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On the '65 GT350 Mustangs, the early style rear spare bolt bracket was welded to the top of the panel over the rear axle to mount the bolt for the spare tire.
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The front bolt holes made by Shelby American to mount the Monte Carlo bar look like they were kind of "punched" in there rather than cleanly drilled in this early '65 GT350.  The '66 Shelbys that I have observed have had a cleaner drilled hole.
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