1966 Mustang Model Year Profile

There is no doubt that 1966 is one of the most popular Ford Mustang model years in the history of the car. In fact, March 1966 marked the creation of the millionth Mustang, signaling its significance in classic car history.

Although the first few years were definitely good for Ford and its sporty Mustang, 1966 was the year all that hard work truly began to pay off. By 1966, most people began to associate the Ford Mustang with power and performance. It was the car to have if you needed a daily driver and it was the car to have if you needed a weekend cruiser with a sporty edge. It was a car for everyone who enjoyed a well-made vehicle, liked to drive and enjoyed looking great doing it.

Making an Icon

Advertisements became popular reminders of the Mustang’s youthful spirit, such as one featuring two mature adults sitting in a new Mustang with the words, “Youth is a wonderful thing. What a crime to waste it on children.” It was the car to have it you were seeking the fountain of youth. The 1966 Ford Mustang was the car to have if you were looking to win over your neighbor or hit the road for fun and adventure. It was also a must-have for enthusiastic drivers and car enthusiasts who simply liked to drive.

Production

In all, there were minimal changes to the Mustang in 1966. Production began in August of 1965 and the lineup featured ​Coupe, Convertible and ​Fastback trims. In all, Ford produced 607,568 total Mustangs in 1966. The car sported additional new colors, a redesigned grille, a new instrument cluster, and fresh style on the wheels. An automatic transmission became available for the “Hi-Po” V-8. Side scoops had a chrome trim with three wind-splits, and GT models received a new gas cap and driving lamps that now came standard.

Ford offered a choice of four different engine configurations in the 1966 Mustang:

• Engine Code T: 200 cubic inch I-6 engine @ 120-hp w/9.2:1 compression and a one-barrel carburetor
• Engine Code C: 289 cubic inch V-8 engine @ 200-hp w/9.3:1 compression and two-barrel carburetor
• Engine Code A: 289 cubic inch V-8 engine @ 225-hp w/10.0:1 compression and a four-barrel carburetor
• Engine Code K: 289 cubic inch V-8 engine @ 271-hp w/10.5:1 compression and a four-barrel carburetor

Model-Year Highlights

• New Wheels
• New Grille Pattern
• New Automatic Transmission Option for “Hi-Po” V-8 Models
• New Instrument Cluster
• New Rocker-Panel Trim
• Revised Side Scoops

Model Lineup and Prices

• 1966 Ford Mustang Convertible: $2,652
• 1966 Ford Mustang Coupe​: $2,416
• 1966 Ford Mustang Fastback: $2,607

Production Stats

• Standard Convertible: 56,409 units
• Luxury Convertible: 12,520 units
• Convertible w/Bench Seats: 3,190 units
• Standard Coupe: 422,416 units
• Luxury Coupe: 55,938 units
• Coupe w/Bench Seats: 21,397 units
• Standard Fastback: 27,809 units
• Luxury Fastback: 7,889 unit
• Total Production: 607,568 units

Vehicle Identification Number Decoder

Here is a quick way to decode the 1966 Mustang vehicle identification number (VIN):

• 6=Last digit of Model Year (1966)
• F=Assembly Plant (F-Dearborn, R-San Jose, T-Metuchen)
• 08=Body Code (07-coupe, 08-convertible, 09-fastback)
• A=Engine Code
• 100005=Consecutive unit number

Example: VIN #6FO8A100005