Dose anyone know where to look on the engine and transmission and what the numbers should be to determine if a car has matching numbers? Are there any other parts that could also be number matches? '66'fastback A code with 4 speed trans.  

The 65 and 66 Mustangs did not have numbers matching cars.  In order to have a numbers matching car you need to have the VIN stamped on the engine block, transmission and rear end.  That didn't happen back in 1965-66.  And since Ford burned up all the paperwork for those years, even Marti cannot give you a report.  

We have been thru this before with Soaring ,  TRBieber. Soaring has some twisted notion(he is getting old) that you MUST have a vin number stamped on your engine and drivetrain. I think he has listened to some Chevrolet restoration guys as GM routinely did that but Ford seldom did. I did see Soaring answer one question right the other day,,,cant remember what it was(I am getting old).
You can check your numbers using Ford Parts interchange manuals. Engine parts interchange written by George Reid and Ford Parts Interchange(other parts) Manual by Paul Herd. Both are excellent resources. Almost all your sheet metal is stamped with date codes as is your glass and quite a few other parts. All these numbers should match as well to the date code on the door data plate. A Marti report has nothing to do with numbers matching, but it is a good data source to tell what equipment/options your pony left the factory with. Those records were lost prior to 1967 so Kevin Marti can only supply that data for 67 and later cars.  

Yes we have, and I am correct.  I have no twisted notions and if the engine, tranny and rear end don't have a VIN on them that matches the VIN of the car, then it is not a numbers matching car.  The Mustang was a mass produced car back in the mid 60's  that could have received different parts from several months apart.  Any given 1965 Mustang could have had an engine manufactured in June, and a transmission manufactured in August, and a rearend manufactured in September.  Now, tell me how that is numbers matching?  I can agree though, that if the date codes match, then you can be relatively sure the car is as it came off the factory line.  But, you can't guarantee it. And yes, the Marti report has nothing to do with numbers matching, because Marti cannot match any numbers that did not exist for the 65-66 Mustangs.  The exception would be with the K code Shelby GT350's.  

No actually your wrong again, and compounding it. If you look at "numbers matching" there is a site dedicated to car restoration and number matching certification. They use these terms and I quote:

Number matching relates to the dates, casting numbers, model numbers, VIN numbers, stamped numbers, or codes that are can be found on the major components, such as the engine, transmission and rear-axle assembly. These numbers should be correct if the car is to be considered a number matching car.


You will notice that vin number is only one of the numbers used in determining whether a car is number matching or not and certainly not the sole one. You can also go to Wikipedia where terms in use today are clarified, a sort of internet dictionary. Here is what they say about numbers matching and again I quote:

The term “number matching” (or “numbers matching”) is a term used in the collector car industry to describe the authenticity of collectible or investment quality cars. Number matching generally means that a particular car still contains its original major components or has major components that match exactly the major components the car had when it was new. These "major components" are not always agreed on.[3] The appearance of a number matching car likely could not distinguished it from an original car. A site by the name numbermatching.com[1] has established a standard of specifications for a common definition of "number matching" and can certify them according to their company's definition.


[edit] Major Components
The car's major components are parts such as the engine, transmission, rear-axle assembly, and frame of the car. Many times these components contain dates, casting numbers, model numbers, VIN numbers, stamped numbers, or codes that can match the original components that were on the car when it was new. In some cases intake manifolds, exhaust manifolds, body panels, and carburettors could also be considered major components.[4]


[edit] Minor Components
Minor components are components that would not dramatically affect the overall value of a car, regardless of being original or not. These are parts that are commonly replaced due to regular wear and tear. Parts such as the interior fabric, paint, chrome trim, brakes, instruments, electrical components and wiring are considered minor components.


[edit] How does number matching work?
The numbers or casting dates on the major components of a car must be present and fall in a particular order.[5] For example, an engine’s assembly date must come before the build date of the car, and the casting dates must come before the assembly date of the engine because an engine assembly date (the date the engine was assembled, usually at a different location) could not be after the assembly date of the whole car. Engines are assembled prior to being installed in the car at the factory. Therefore, the assembly date of the car would have to be after the assembly date of the engine. Casting dates (the dates formed in the metal of a component at the foundry) could not be after the assembly date of the engine. And casting dates would need to be well in advance of the assembly date of the engine. Numbers and dates help track an accurate history of how a car was built and when and where the car and the parts used to create the car were made.

If a car has number matching major components it helps define how collectible a car is. Number matching cars typically will have a much greater value than non-number matching cars.


SO ,,,, SOARING I HOPE ONCE AND FOR ALL YOU ARE CONVINCED ABOUT NUMBERS MATCHING. It means different things on different cars because they are coded and numbered differently. It isnt just about vin numbers because many manufacturers do not use vin numbers on major parts. Its about researching and finding all those date coded assemblies and parts and matching them up. And YES ,,,, you can have a numbers matching 65 or 66 Mustang even without a Marti report or the vin numbers.  

Maybe someone (like one of you two experts) should write the concurs judge column in MM and get an official answer to the question once and for all pertaining to the MUSTANG. (geez guys)  

The K codes usually have the VIN stamped in the tranny and block. That is the only 65/66 I am aware of that they bothered to stamp the vin # on. Most of what people are calling a number matching car is the date codes or part numbers matching with the build date. Usually most date coded parts will be 2 to 3 weeks before the build date.  

But to anwser your question trbieber if you look at the belly of a K code transmission is usually is stamped near the plug, can't miss it. go to Hipo.com if you would like to learn more about motor stamping and tranny spamping.
However your A code shoud not be VIN stamped however if you remove the starter on your block there should be the cast number and a date cast. As long as that date is a few weeks before you car was made, chances are good it is original. I would call it more of a date correct block but if number matching is your thing, go for it.  

does it really matter...a car to drive or a car to show off...it's still a car. and myself i'm restoring mine to drive it and have fun. i really dont care if the numbers match. i've hacked up one car cause the cowel firewall and all were so bad and beyond repair i said screw it. yeah another classic is going to the junky. BUT...i have a second one that i am using all the usable parts from the first one. i am using the 289 engine instead of the straight 6 200 ci. . not number matching who cares it's still gonna be driveable and one bad ass car when done...i hope hehehe when done i'll post pics in the next 10 or 20 yrs. bby then we'll all stop arguing about numbers matching  

Most guys dont care, nor are they even aware of the codes on their mustangs. It isnt necessary to enjoy the hobby unless you have a concours car (I do - 66 coupe in concours driven) and have it judged for (MCA)points. My 66 has nearly every detail correct , but like most guys I am missing a few things, like a date coded windshield(most of them get broken. When your judged they dont really look at all the codes(trailered concours is tougher) because many of them are hidden but the judges are very knowledgeable people who can tell you your gas line clamp is incorrect from 20 yards. Yeah, you get right down to the correct clamp and the right overspray on the steering column. Its a completely different side of the hobby that probably no more then 5% of the vintage mustangs out there ever compete or would be capable of winning. Its very demanding but a lot of people enjoy getting there. If "matching numbers" was just a Vin number match then very few Fords would ever qualify for Concours because Ford did not as a general rule put Vin numbers on major pieces of the car. There are a few high performance exceptions, the K code being one. But Vin numbers are easier to fake then casting codes or parts numbers because they are stamped and all you need is a clean pad and a stamp set so its not the holy grail. Cast in codes and date stamps are more reliable.  

mechanicalguy48 I agree.

These cars are to have fun with. Fore someone that may be a restomod, for someone it is a daily driver, for me it is a date code correct occasional driven class car, for others it is the never ending goal of a gold concurse car just like it rolled off the line 40+ years ago. Nobody is better then the other. Lets all enjoy the hobby while we are still on this earth.  

48:
I've been restoring my 2+2 from the ground up, completed front rails, aprons, firewall, toeboards, floorpans and found a rust spot under the trunk acsess(sp.) door after replacing the outer wheelwells.
On the framework of the flip-up door I found a date 10 23 3 stamped. On the driver door plate reads 63A M .
The car was originally white and I'm wondering how old is this car? I'd like to somewhat restomod with this car and install struts and other modifications.
Do you think I should modify or is this some kind of treasure?  

Some of you guys are trying to justify that there are numbers matching 65-66 Mustangs, and there are simply none except for the K codes.  Again, if the VIN is not stamped on the engine block, transmission and differential of a 1965-66 Mustang it is not, nor can it be proven by anyone that it is a numbers matching car.  

Soaring, I'm not trying to say anything like that. I guess your message wasn't meant for me as I didn't imply matching #'s. As a matter of fact I know this car originally had an automatic tranny(4 spd. now) and actually is titled as a 64 1/2(sounds strange). If I'm reading these #'s right this car has to be way early,No?  

Give me your VIN.