Convertible Glass LineI bought a Signaflare Red '66 convertible two months ago and have started getting it ready for spring cruising. My glass rear window has a horizontal line all the way across, splitting the window into two equal halves. It is not sealed at all and lets air and water in all the time. I assumed it was broken and needed to be replaced until I saw a '68 convertible in Mustang Monthly. The rear window has the same line. Does this take a seal of some kind, or is my window indeed broken or ruined?SteveVia e-mail
Early convertibles came factory-equipped with a flexible, clear-plastic window that would scratch, discolor, and crack as it aged. In 1967, Ford replaced the plastic window with a glass unit that incorporated a silicon hinge in the center so the glass window would fold in half for top-down storage. Early cars can be converted to the later style window if the vinyl well liner for '67-and-later Mustangs is also utilized. This has obviously been done to your Mustang.
The silicon hinge was bonded to the glass halves during manufacture, and, once separated, it's difficult to duplicate and repair. I have made repairs using silicon adhesive from a caulking gun. However, I find the repair to be temporary at best. Depending upon your use of the folding top, you can either attempt the repair to maintain a seal, replace the window with another quality '67-and-newer style, or go back to the inexpensive clear-plastic style.
Since your car is already modified to accept the glass-style window, I would replace the window with another glass unit. It may cost three times as much as the clear-plastic window, but it will last much longer without fading. Be certain the replacement windows' zipper is compatible with the one in the car now. If not, sew the old zipper to the new window so the top is not disturbed in order to change zippers.
'66 Colors in 1965?Over the years, I don't recall running across a vehicle like mine. It's a '65 Mustang coupe with an F-code exterior paint color. Please correct me if I'm wrong, but to the best of my researching abilities, I have concluded that the F-code was not a '65 option. I believe this color to be Arcadian Blue and in production in 1966. I have never seen an Arcadian Blue '65 Mustang in person, print, or otherwise, but I have seen several '66 Mustangs with this color. Is this a rarity? Do you have any info available on this vehicle? Any production numbers with this color would also be appreciated.Sterlin DriggsHillboro, OR
Actually, '65 Mustangs with '66 colors are not uncommon. In fact, many '66 cars also received '67 colors. As you have seen, the code stamped on the serial-number plate denotes a '66 paint code, or Arcadian Blue, on your '65 vehicle. Ford later determined this method was too confusing and, shortly after '66 production began, changed their coding. Any '66 car painted with a '67 color received the correct '67 paint code followed by a number 7 after the code. A '66 Mustang painted in '67 Lime Gold would receive code I7. It's easy to understand why a '65 owner such as yourself could be misled by Ford's early paint-code policy.
There are oddities related to Mustang production, in addition to color codes, that most enthusiasts find fascinating. Purchase a copy of The Mustang Production Guide by Jim Smart and Jim Haskell for more information on Mustang production.
Send your questions to:Beyond the Basicsc/o Bob AlibertoP.O. Box 205Salt Point, NY 12578e-mail us at mustang.monthly@primedia.com