Topic: 67 Trunk/Cap (extension) bright trim molding

[Bossbill]

As I was looking across a show field, I noticed the majority of 67s had the trunk/extension cap bright trim molding.

However, this trim is said to only be standard on fastbacks. It is optional and included with the exterior decor group. I see no other way to get it other than as a fastback or as part of the exterior decor group.
Yet a fair number of cars had this trim that were neither fastbacks or exterior decor group cars.
I've included a picture of my Coupe parts car which has an early March build date.
No holes, no trim because it's a no exterior decor group car.

What am I missing (besides owner mods or even dealer installs)?

[67gta289]

I agree with your assessment; don’t know why so many that should not have them do.

[Bossbill]

I wonder if it's a date thing.

The Osborne Illustrated Facts Book also shows base Mustangs with rocker panel trim and the note:"Full length bright rocker panel molding standard." It includes a picture of the base car with the molding.

The Mustang Monthly version of the facts book removes the rocker panel molding entry and replaces it with "Remote control outside rear view mirror is standard."
The picture on the page is changed to reflect the lack of molding.
The pages are identical except for a change in the picture and that line item.

My thought is that these fact books used sales brochures from different time periods. Ford may have originally offered the 67s with the rocker panel molding, but removed them later in the year due to cost.

That might explain the rocker panel molding, but the rear trim is still a mystery.

[67gtasanjose]

I do not think of it as much of a mystery at all.
End cap moldings on coupes/convertibles are indeed OPTIONAL, available only with the Exterior decor groupe IN THE 67 MODEL YEAR. In 68, they were standard.

Remote mirror standard in 67, optional in 68.
Rocker moldings are standard on all flashbacks (except Shelby) and optional on coupes and convertibles.

In the 67 model year, I do not think there was any date change-overs on these items. 68 model year there were several trim changes after the strike. A list of those changes are in another thread.

There is likely a high probability that owners may add on these optional moldings to make them nicer, not understanding they were originally part of an option package.

[midlife]

Rocker moldings are standard on all flashbacks (except Shelby) and optional on coupes and convertibles.

Flashback Mustangs!  I love it!

[Bossbill]

What I'm trying to drill in on is that apparent changes were made in literature, pointing specifically to the rocker molding as one change. It may be that the inclusion of this item as standard was made prior to production and after production started the literature and the standardization of this item was removed. Or was only used on the first few hundred cars (/supposition).

This topic came about because I personally inspected, in great detail,  this car over the weekend:
http://www.concoursmustang.com/forum/index.php?topic=18684.0
and it has only two owners. It is also a very early 67.
There was talk in the other post about a hood and gas cap change from the deluxe exterior package. There appears to have been no body changes as all the front sheet metal and grill were intact, probably ruling out a hood change. The patina on all parts was the same. Although we can't rule out a gas cap change, that seems a stretch. Almost everything on this car was unchanged from delivery including spark plug wires and exhaust.

I'm just wondering if anyone else noticed if the very early 67 cars (first month or two) are different than the rest.

[ruppstang]

Here is a thread about rocker moldings.  http://www.concoursmustang.com/forum/index.php?topic=14077.msg89919#msg89919 I think it is a simple as they look nice and were easy to install so many owners and dealers did so.