how can u tell if ur car is orginal or not

 

you can start by matching the door tag to the left front fender embossing. The number should be the same. If they arent, then either the door or the fender has been changed.

 

Yeah, you can also decode the VIN and other items of the data plate to see if it matches with the car.

 

Drive it into a deep body of water, if it floats, it is not original.




Sorry,,,

Like has been said check the dataplate. Also look in conspicuous places for old paint that might be a different shade, look for "made in china" tags on the upholstery, trim etc.. (kind of kidding about the made in china stuff, and kind of not.)

Most of all educate yourself on what the car you are looking at looks like and how it should be equipped. Education, education!!

Might start with some of the Mustang history stuff at the top of the forum...

 

an "original" car is kind of a loosely used term. Some ppl will call it original if it hasnt been modified even if all the parts were made in china or something. Basically it just means that someone hasnt messed with the car or tried to restore it.

 

Depends too on what you consider original. If a 65 got damaged in 66 and had a fender replaced is the car still original? I'd say so. Others would disagree. What about replacing lower quarters? To me that is just a repair of an original part. If all parts of the car look to be about the same age, they probably are.

 

Have it judger in the "Throughbred" class at a MCA national show. They will pick it apart. Here is how I classify cars.
Original- unmolested (VERY RARE)
Restored- concours correct using NOS parts with correct date and cast codes
Restored-using floatacross the pond parts
Restomods- anything goes
If you have the build tag or door data plate, then most options can be matched.
Either way, have fun with your car.

 

Evil is right about the Throughbred class if you have one bolt the wrong size or even points on the head they takes points away.