Hey guys. I think I have discovered something that has scared the crap outta me... I was going to decode the trim tag this afternoon on my 66 coupe and what do you know - it shows up as a 66 fastback! I did a little reading and noticed there is another number under the hood so I ran it and it is showing up as a 65 coupe!
I just bought the car around 3 weeks ago and have sent off for a title from the trim (door) tag. Hopefully it will come back ok.
What would you guys do? I like the car and I don't care much about the originality of it. Just wanted something fun for me and my kids to work on.

 

I would send for the title using the one under the hood. You probably had the door replaced at some point.

 

I'm guessing you have a convertible?

Getting the wrong VIN from a replaced door or fender apron is a common problem, bodyshops are often lazy and cavalier. Partially detach the fenders and see if there are other VINs present in the usual "hidden" locations.

 

I hadn't thought about the door being replaced. I jumped to the worst case - someone changing tags around because of something illegal.
I still don't understand why the underhood shows a 65 model car when the gauge pod and reverse lights make it to be a 66.

 

Thanks 2+2. I will pull the fenders and look at the other vin numbers also.
It's not a convertable. It's a hardtop with black vinyl covering.

 

Definitely pull both fenders to match the numbers. I went through the hassle but it was a little different. My fenders both matched the plate on the door, neither matched the title or old registration. In fact the title didn't even have a mustang VIN. I managed to find a very nice person at the DMV (head office) that helped me get it quickly and easily corrected. With all the bad experiences I've had with the DMV this person was rare and saved me a lot of sleepless nights.

Definitely spend the time to get it straightened out. If, god forbid, you have an insurance claim, especially if its a total loss they'll look for every reason under the sun not to pay the claim. The trim tag is not the vin, they will claim they did not insure the car once they look at the vin (located on the fender apron).

 

Good point. I will be pulling the fenders this afternoon.
I don't suppose there is any way to get a trim tag that matches the vin number under the hood is there?

 

Yes there is. I also want to put a new door plate on since my old one has overspray on it. I need to find the site, but from one of the ford decode sites there was a link to a company that makes them. They even will include the original style rivets.

I need to run to a meeting but will try and find in a little bit later and post it for you.

 

A.G. Backeast and Marti make the best door tags.

 

http://www.martiauto.com

is the company I had planned on using.