1968 Mustang VIN Decoder – Data Plate and Build Sheet Insights

By D. Brian Smith

Photography: Courtesy of Mecum Auctions

1968-Mustang-vin-decoder-lead

For the 1968 Ford Mustang model year, the Ford Motor Company continued to improve upon the already outstanding significance of America's first pony car — the Ford Mustang. Saddle up your Mustangs and let's go for a ride to decipher several data tags and VIN codes. There are a few stunning examples ahead, so stay tuned. We hope this 1968 Mustang VIN decoder will help you learn more about your classic Mustang, or research a car you're planning to buy.

1968 Ford Mustang Convertible Decoded

1968 Mustang vin decoder side yellow copy
1968 Mustang  vin decoder Marti

Above and several below: The Marti Report here is for the 1968 Meadowlark Yellow (code W) convertible (code 76A) that is equipped with a 390-4V V8 engine (code S). The Mustang was built at the Metuchen, NJ (code T) Ford assembly line and is backed by a four-speed manual transmission (code 5). 

1968 Mustang  vin decoder 390 engine
1968 Mustang vin decoder interior copy

Above: There's black vinyl bucket seats in the front and a black vinyl bench seat in the rear (code 2A). All 1968 Mustang convertibles were equipped with a glass rear window, which is pretty cool. With age, the silicone glued seal will crack and will need to be re-glued (or replace the rear window). This convertible has a manual black top. Most Mustang convertibles had hydraulic power tops.

1968 Mustang vin decoder front
1968 Mustang yellow rear copy

Deciphering a Typical Warranty Plate / Door Data Plate

What the heck is a warranty plate? Also known as the door data plate, the warranty plate is a stamped metal tag affixed to the end of the driver's door.

The warranty number listed on this plate may sound like it's irrelevant, since the factory warranty on every '68 Mustang expired decades ago. However, it actually contains some very useful information about the body type, color, interior trim, manufacturing date and location, and much more.

1968 Mustang vin decoder data plate

Vehicle Warranty Number

8 R 01 S 100001

Model Year Code 8
Assembly Plant Code R
Body Series Code 01
Engine Code S
Numerical Sequence 100001

Miscellaneous Vehicle Data

65B H 6U 22J 21 7 U

Body type code 65B
Exterior Color Code H
Interior Trim Code 6U
Production Date Code 22J
District Code 21
Axle Ratio Code 7
Transmission U

1968 Mustang GT/CS - GT/California Special VIN Decoded

1968 Mustang GTCS  vin decoder
1968 Mustang GTCS marti  vin decoder

Above and below: The 1968 Mustang GT/CS is painted Acapulco Blue (code D). All 1968 Mustang GT/CS vehicles were 2-Door Hardtops or Notchbacks or Coupes (code 65B - stands for a coupe with a Luxury Interior). The engine in this GT/CS is a 390-4V V-8 engine (code S) that is backed by the heavy-duty Ford C-6 Automatic Transmission (code U). She was built in the Dearborn, MI Ford assembly plant (code F). 

390 engine GTCS vin decoder

Model Year

81968

Assembly Plant

FDearborn
RSan Jose
TMetuchen

 

Body

SeriesTypeDescription
0165ACoupe
0165BCoupe (Luxury Interior)
0165CCoupe (Bench Seat)
0165DCoupe (Bench Seat, Luxury Interior)
0263AFastback
0263BFastback (Luxury Interior)
0263CFastback (Bench Seat)
0263DFastback (Bench Seat, Luxury Interior)
0376AConvertible
0376BConvertible (Luxury Interior)
1968 GTCS interior vin decoder

Above: You can tell that this 1968 Mustang has a luxury interior from the two chrome vertical emblems in each of the four seat backs (series 1, code 65B - blue vinyl interior trim). Mustangs up through the 1967 model year that had the deluxe interior had pony interiors with embossed ponies running along the seat backs.

Engines

C289 2v V8
F302 2v V8
J302 4v V8
R428 CJ 4v V8
S390 4v V8
T200 1v I6
1968 Mustang vin decoder 428 front copy

Above and below: This Wimbledon White (code M) with black center hood stripe 1968 Mustang fastback has the 1968 Mustang's most prodigious powerplant, a 428 Cobra Jet 4V V8 (code R), a red vinyl interior (code 6D), and a four-speed manual transmission (code 5). 

428 Cobra Jet engine copy
1968 Mustang vin decoder 428 interior copy
1968 Mustang vin decoder side
1968 Mustang vin decoder rear

Rear Axles

12.75:1
22.79:1
42.83:1
5 or E*3.00:1
6 or F*3.20:1
7 or G*3.25:1
8 or H*3.50:1
93.10:1

* w/Traction Lock

1968 GTCS dash vin decoder

Above: You'll notice that the 1968 Mustang GT/CS also is equipped with air conditioning. How cool is that (couldn't resist)?

Transmissions

13 speed manual
54 speed manual
UC-6 automatic
WC-4 automatic
1968 GTCS overhead console vin decoder

Above: The Acapulco Blue GT/CS Mustang also sports a rare overhead map light console. This Mustang's loaded.

Interior Trim

StandardDeluxeDescription
2A6ABlack vinyl
2B6BBlue vinyl
2D6DRed vinyl
2F6FSaddle vinyl
2G6GIvy Gold vinyl
2K6KAqua vinyl
2U6UParchment vinyl
2Y6YNugget Gold vinyl
7A5ABlack Comfortweave
7B5BLight Blue Comfortweave
7D5DRed Comfortweave
7U5UParchment Comfortweave
8A9ABlack Comfortweave (bench)
8B9BLight Blue Comfortweave (bench)
8D9DRed Comfortweave (bench)
8U9UParchment Comfortweave (bench)
1968 Mustang vin decoder GTCS side centric

Above: Acapulco Blue (code D) is a righteous hue on a 1968 Mustang GT/CS.

Paint Colors

ARaven Black
BRoyal Maroon
DAcapulco Blue
FGulfstream Aqua
ILime Gold
MWimbledon White
NDiamond Blue
OSeafoam Green
QBrittany Blue
RHighland Green
TCandy Apple Red
UTahoe Turquoise
WMeadowlark Yellow
XPresidential Blue
YSunlit Gold
6Pebble Beige

5* Satin Black Trim

1968 vin decoder GTCS side scoop

Date

The first 2 digits are the day of the month.

GJuly 1967
HAugust 1967
JSeptember 1967
KOctober 1967
LNovember 1967
MDecember 1967
AJanuary 1968
BFebruary 1968
CMarch 1968
DApril 1968
EMay 1968
FJune 1968
UJuly 1968
1968 vin decoder GTCS rear copy

D.S.O. 1965-1973

The DSO (District Sales Office) code is a two-digit code that indicates the regional sales office that originally ordered the car. Special-ordered Mustangs also had a four-digit sequential order code after the DSO code, which represented the order number for a batch of similarly-optioned cars.

11Boston45Davenport (65/68)
12Buffalo (65/66)45Lansing (72/73)
12Buffalo (72/73)46Indianapolis (69/73)
13NewYork47Cincinnati (69/73)
14Pittsburgh (65/66)48Detroit (72/73)
14Pittsburgh (72/73)51Denver (65/71)
15Newark52Des Moines (65/68)
16Philadelphia (67/73)52Dallas (72/73)
17Washington (67173)53Kansas City
21Atlanta54Omaha
22Charlotte55St Louis
23Philadelphia (65/66)56Davenport (69/73)
23Memphis (72/73)57Houston (72/73)
24Jacksonville58Twin Cities (72/73)
25Richmond61Dallas (65/71)
26Washington (65/66)62Houston (65/71)
26New Orleans (72/73)63Memphis (65/71)
27Cincinnati (67/68)64New Orleans (65/71)
28Louisville (67/3)65Oklahoma City (65/71)
31Cincinnati (65/66)71Los Angeles
32Cleveland (65/71)72San Jose
33Detroit (65/71)73Salt Lake City
34Indianapolis (65/68)74Seattle
35Lansing (65/71)75Phoenix (67/73)
36Louisville (65/66)76Denver (72/73)
37Buffalo (67/71)81Ford of Canada (65/68)
38Pittsburgh (67/71)83Government
41Chicago84Home Office Reserve
42Fargo (65/68)85American Red Cross.
42Cleveland (72/73)87Body Company (71/73)
43Rocktord (65/66)89Transportation Serv.
43Milwaukee (67/73)8DShelby Unit (68)
44Twin Cities (65/70)90-99Export
1968 Shelby GT350 red nose copy

Above: The photo of this 1968 Shelby (code 8D) GT350 Mustang in Candy Apple Red (code T) is provided courtesy of the Ford Heritage Library. If it's a press photo from back in 1967 or 1968, that means you're looking at a brand new Shelby just off the assembly line. The fitment of those fiberglass parts - the hood, the front fascia (nose), etc. is not that good. These American muscle cars we're restoring these days are typically restored better than they rolled off their respective assembly lines, and the above photo is proof.

Get Your Ford Mustang & Shelby Parts @ Classic Industries

Whether you have a Ford Mustang or you're restoring a Shelby Mustang, there's a wonderful chance that Classic Industries can help you find those must-have components. In that instance, you can initiate your search for Ford Mustang parts online. You can also supplement your online parts search by also obtaining the Classic Industries' Mustang Parts & Accessories Catalog. By clicking the button just below, you'll be asked to fill in some shipping information. You can download a PDF version and/or have a printed catalog mailed to you. Happy hunting, shopping, building, driving, and enjoying your Ford Mustang and/or Shelby Mustang!

1964-2004 Ford Mustang

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