How Many 64.5 Mustangs Are Registered Today

| News

How to Identify a '64-1/2 Mustang

Understanding the Differences in the Mustang's Most Gala Year

At this range, it'south hard to tell whether it's an early '65 or a post-July '64–built machine.

We're amazed at the misconceptions ahoof about those early classic Mustangs; those classified ads worded "For Sale--1964 Mustang. . ." or enthusiasts boasting about their super-rare '64-i/2. Truth is, there has never been a '64 Mustang, ever. And honestly, whom are yous kidding? The '64-1/ii Mustang isn't whatsoever more rare than one of its '65 counterparts. In fact, there are no '64-i/ii Mustangs at all; that title was coined by enthusiasts. The '64-1/2 Mustang is simply an early on-production unit without the refinements that came later. And another thing, Ford never congenital a product '64-ane/2 Mustang fastback.

Truth is, the '64-1/two Mustang lacks some of the nice engineering refinements and features those mail-July '64 steeds have, such every bit an alternator charging arrangement, a meliorate engine-to-bellhousing marriage, an adjustable passenger seat, and a host of other items.

A World of Divergence

So what's the divergence between a '64-1/two and a '65 Mustang? Non much and all the same everything. From 50 feet away, they look the same; close up, they host quite a number of differences. The '64-ane/two Mustangs have e'er been '65 Mustangs--ever. Every bit enthusiasts, we call them "'64-one/2" because it'due south easier to say, but it's also a cult matter. Early '65 Mustangs accept the distinction of being the first block of Ponies ever produced. They were an integral function of the Mustang madness that swept the world in 1964. And if you lot have a "'64-one/2" congenital at Dearborn, that makes it fifty-fifty more pregnant in the relative scheme of things, because it was built-in in the motherland.

When the Mustang entered production early in March 1964, it didn't take many of the refinements it would have later on on; phone call it a reskinned Falcon with bucket seats. To exist a '64-1/2 at all, a Mustang has to be factory-equipped with a generator charging system, a 170ci half-dozen (U-lawmaking), a 260 2V (F-code), or a 289 4V (D-lawmaking) low-pinch, big horns mounted downward on the frame behind the radiator, a brake light pressure switch on the master cylinder, a centre "off" heater fan switch, and a generator accuse lite, but to proper name the basics. These are features exclusive to Mustangs built between early March and July 31, 1964 (scheduled build date code only).