1964 1/2 Mustang – did you see one? Of course, as a Mustang enthusiast you would say sure, of course you would. Check the working title or VIN number? The truth is, there never was a ’64 1/2 Mustang. They were all branded as a 1965 Mustang, but were built on Ford’s production line in 1964. The true identity of these rare ponies was an early 1965 Mustang. But you’re wondering what about the differences? You are quite right about that, there were differences in the early ’65 Mustang and the late ’65 Mustang. But for title and registration purposes, it was an 18-month production year.

If you want to tell the difference, here’s how, the best and safest way is to look at the original data plate on the door frame. Cars produced between March 9, 1964 and August 17, 1964 will have a letter CH stamped in the date code.

Of course you’re thinking (as a huge Mustang enthusiast) what about the leading edge of the hood, the interior carpet up to the door sills, or if the car has a generator, not an alternator. You are correct, those three elements changed along with many others from “early to late”. But keep in mind that not everything changed at once. It was a progression that varied depending on what was changed and which plant the car was built at.

If you’re walking through a car show with your partner and want to show off your skills, here are three simple items you can use. But, if you’re putting your hard-earned money into your dream car, use the data plate and any other method you can find. With most parts widely available, it’s better to be safe than sorry.

Actual production of the Mustang began on March 9, 1964, in Dearborn, Michigan. Little more than a month later the first models go on sale on April 17, 1964. During the first months of production there were no fastback models. Thus, there never was an early ’65 Mustang Fastback even though the first fastback rolled off the assembly line during the second week of August 1964. That’s when production of the late ’65 Mustang began.

During the early days of the Mustang, the 170 ci inline 6-cylinder was the standard engine and the 260 V-8 was the only other engine option. It wasn’t until the late ’65s that we saw the 6-cylinder move to the 200 ci and the V-8 move to the well-known 289.

Just a few months later, on January 27, 1965, the first Shelby Mustang was introduced.