The following information is provided to help determine if an early Mustang is really a 1964 1/2 or not. The car may have all of the items listed, or just a few. This can be due to variations in production lines and parts supply at the Dearborn assembly plant. Some items carried over into the 1965 production line (cars built after August 17, 1964), as workers on the assembly line would use up remaining parts.

In May of 1964 the new Ford Mustang was selected as the Indianapolis 500 Pace Car, Ford produced and specially prepared three 1964 1/2 convertibles to pace the Indianapolis 500 race. In addition Ford built an estimated 190 Pace Car Replicas all Coupes, painted Pace Car White, with White interiors, to be released for sale to the public.

For a complete summary and pictures of the 1964 1/2 Pace Car, please click here- 1964 MUSTANG PACE CAR

1964 1/2 Timeline:
• Production began March 9, 1964 and ended August 17,1964
• Only Coupes and Convertibles were manufactured during this period
• Only Generator equipped cars were produced during this period
• Date codes are OCO through OHO, (found on the VIN Data plate)

  1964 1/2 Engine Displacement & Code:

• 170 cubic inch 6cyl 1bbl "V"
• 260 cubic inch 8cyl 2bbl "F"
• 289 cubic inch 8cyl 4bbl "D"
• 289 cubic inch 8cyl 4bbl "K" (Available in June of 1964)

  1964 1/2 Exterior Appearance:

• The Gas Cap has no security cable.
• The edges of the Hood have stiffening skirts (flanges)
• The headlight extensions have corresponding bevels to the hood skirts
• The Mustang word on front fenders is 4-3/8", later lengthened to 5.0"
• Windshield wiper shaft bases are chromed pot metal and have a threaded pivot

  1964 1/2 Interior Appointments:

• Door Locks knobs are color-keyed to interior, changed to chrome in 1965
• Owners Manual states engine options as, 170 C.I. six cylinder, and the 260 low compression V8, and the Hi-Performance 289 V8
• The fresh air vent knob on the drivers side is marked with a White "A"
• Door handles and Window cranks are held by concealed spring clips
• Instrument Cluster has Red "GEN" light (Generator), later 1965 models had Red "ALT" light (alternator)
• Heater blower is two speed with the "OFF" position located in center
• Carpet had color-keyed rubber heel pad, no toe pad, as in later models
• Carpeting stops at rocker stiffener plate, color-keyed vinyl under door sill plate
• Front Seatbelts are secured with an eye bolt
• Passenger seat was fixed into position with no fore/aft adjustment
• Smaller "T" handle on automatic transmission equipped cars

  1964 1/2 Trunk Compartment:

• Mat is Grey burtex in hardtops, and speckled Grey rubber in convertibles
• Spare tire hold down is slotted for carriage head bolt
• Tail lights have 3 wire pigtail assembly

  1964 1/2 Engine Compartment:

• Hood Bumpers have recessed Phillips screw to hold bumper to stud
• Radiator Core support has air vents/louvers in front of battery for cooling
• Larger horns than on later models, mounted low on the frame behind radiator
• Generators are installed, have black metal/rubber shroud
• Oil dipstick is on passenger side and very long
• Oil filler tube is on front cover of engine, not valve covers
• Small flip open oil cap on distributor base
• Ignition coil is mounted flat on intake manifold
• Brake switch ( 2 wires) is mounted on the master cylinder
• Engines have a road draft tube, with/without a PCV valve

Thanks for visiting, and continue to look to the MCCM web site www.midcomustang.com to provide relative information dedicated to the preservation, care, history and enjoyment of vintage model Ford Mustangs.