Do I have a real factory GT? What say you?

[Jays66gt]

I've done a lot of research to find out the tell tale signs of a true factory GT versus a dealer made car, or an owner that took it upon him/herself to make their Mustang a GT. So here is my list and answers. So is it likely that I have a real GT?

Square snubber plate above pumpkin: YES
All were A or K code: Mine is an A code
GT production didn't start until late February of 65: Mine is dated Sept. 1965
Dual exhaust through the rear valance with trim rings: NO (weird but true)
Reinforcement exhaust hanger plates were on the inside of the car behind the rear seat: YES
Rear brake hose located further outboard to clear pipes: unknown
Rear bumper guards deleted, and mounting holes in trunk plugged: NO (again weird but true)
Rocker panel trim and quarter ornament deleted: YES
Regular Mustang badges were deleted form the front fenders (Except engine designation): YES
Special rocker panel stripe with "MUSTANG" lettering on front fender: YES GT badges on front fenders: YES
Quicker 16:1 ratio steering box with tag reading either HCC-AX or HCC-AW: I cannot locate a tag to verify
Larger diameter sway bar (13/16"): YES
Heavier front and rear springs: ?
Heavy duty shocks: ?
Front 4-piston disc brakes and larger master cylinder: YES
Unique "GT" gas cap: YES
Fog lamp switch wiring reversed from 65 with 2 male and 1 female connector: Not verified
Circuit breaker mounted on the wiper motor bracket: not verified
Standard grill was used and had brackets added on (As well as blacked out without chrome leading edges): YES
Radiator support now punched for lamp wiring: YES
Rear lights operate when fog lights are turned on: YES

I do have a 1965 edition of the rally pack setup installed. Is it possible this could be a left over as my car is a September '65 car?

I don't plan to show the car this is just my curiosity getting the better of me. I love my car, no matter what. But I'd like the opinions of an expert or three here!

Thanks,

Jay

[ivygreen65]

I would say you do, primarily due to the square edged snubber plate.

Your steering box should be 4 turns lock to lock if it is the correct box.

[66DavesGT]

I have seen a repro of the square edge plates show up on e-bay. I'd say most people would not go to that length to fake a GT...

[aslan]

If you don't, according to VMF rules, you won't be able to have your current handle! LOL (JK, JK)
Stan

[my66gt]

Originally Posted by aslan

If you don't, according to VMF rules, you won't be able to have your current handle! LOL (JK, JK)
Stan

Oh S$%^.......I'll be back...

[22GT]

Originally Posted by ivygreen65

I would say you do, primarily due to the square edged snubber plate.

Your steering box should be 4 turns lock to lock if it is the correct box.

That and

Reinforcement exhaust hanger plates were on the inside of the car behind the rear seat: YES

Tells me you have a GT with a lotta repairs.

Oh- those bumper guard hole plugs are available new by the bagful.

The grille you describe is correct. There was no unique GT 66 grille.

September was well into the 66 model year. The early style Rally-Pac was sold over the counter. Heck, they were sold everywhere. Ford put anti-theft screws on them for a reason.

[ivygreen65]

Originally Posted by 66DavesGT

I have seen a repro of the square edge plates show up on e-bay. I'd say most people would not go to that length to fake a GT...

If his car had been restored in the last 24 months or so, I would have suggested he take a look at that, but I don't think that's the case here.

[PonyDoc]

Square snubber plate above pumpkin: YES- Like they said, available repro
All were A or K code: Mine is an A code
GT production didn't start until late February of 65: Mine is dated Sept. 1965
Dual exhaust through the rear valance with trim rings: NO (weird but true)- Incorrect for GT
Reinforcement exhaust hanger plates were on the inside of the car behind the rear seat: YES
Rear brake hose located further outboard to clear pipes: unknown
Rear bumper guards deleted, and mounting holes in trunk plugged: NO (again weird but true)- All GT's had rear bumper guards deleted.
Rocker panel trim and quarter ornament deleted: YES
Regular Mustang badges were deleted form the front fenders (Except engine designation): YES
Special rocker panel stripe with "MUSTANG" lettering on front fender: YES GT badges on front fenders: YES
Quicker 16:1 ratio steering box with tag reading either HCC-AX or HCC-AW: I cannot locate a tag to verify
Larger diameter sway bar (13/16"): YES
Heavier front and rear springs: ?
Heavy duty shocks: ?
Front 4-piston disc brakes and larger master cylinder: YES
Unique "GT" gas cap: YES - nAvailable repro
Fog lamp switch wiring reversed from 65 with 2 male and 1 female connector: Not verified
Circuit breaker mounted on the wiper motor bracket: not verified
Standard grill was used and had brackets added on (As well as blacked out without chrome leading edges): YES
Radiator support now punched for lamp wiring: YES
Rear lights operate when fog lights are turned on: YES- ALL 66's were wired for fog lights- even the 6 cyl, since they were so popular as a dealer add-on in 65.

I do have a 1965 edition of the rally pack setup installed. Is it possible this could be a left over as my car is a September '65 car?- After 46 years, any PO could have added it. GT's did not come w/ rally pac standard. It was still an option.

I don't plan to show the car this is just my curiosity getting the better of me. I love my car, no matter what. But I'd like the opinions of an expert or three here!

Check inside the rear frame rail for the bracker that kept the rail from collapsing when the GT exhaust hanger was bolted in. This is really hard to fake, unless you come in from the trunk floor and cut a hole in it!

Chances are, it might be real, as a PO could have changed the exhaust. I have a 64 convert w/ GT trumpets and it came that way. I'm the 2nd owner, so #1 liked the GT sytyle exhaust and so do I! When I first saw it, it also had fog lights, but the PO sold them before I got the car!
Verifying a factory GT can be difficult, more so with 65, as there were fewer then. 66 saw a lot more sold, due to the look.
Good luck with it and have a lot of fun driving it!

[Jays66gt]

"Check inside the rear frame rail for the bracker that kept the rail from collapsing when the GT exhaust hanger was bolted in. This is really hard to fake, unless you come in from the trunk floor and cut a hole in it!"

Where is this located? I have a hole right above where the rear of the spring attaches. If I stick my finger in there I can feel a vertical piece. Is that what you are describing?

[Jays66gt]

Pics below are the snubber plate and rear exhaust hanger locations.

I can feel a vertical piece if I stick my finger in the big hole which is located just above the rear spring shackle.

Front to back on the car is left to right as you are viewing the picture. Top is top and bottom is bottom.

[PonyDoc]

Yep! That's it. I actually cut one out of a wreck to see what it looked like. To fake this, you need to do a lot of body work. It indicates it originally had the hanger for the trumpet exhaust.

[Jays66gt]

Originally Posted by PonyDoc

Yep! That's it. I actually cut one out of a wreck to see what it looked like. To fake this, you need to do a lot of body work. It indicates it originally had the hanger for the trumpet exhaust.

SWEET! I'm a happy guy!