Author Topic: 65 Standard Instrument Cluster Finish  (Read 1717 times)

Offline ChrisV289

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 1956
65 Standard Instrument Cluster Finish
« on: December 08, 2017, 04:48:45 PM »
What is the correct black supposed to be in the 64-65 instrument bezel?  I bought a new one from NPD (the chrome on the original was not up to concours standards) and the black seems to be flatter than my original housing and what I see as far as the NOS pieces on ebay.  I believe my dad repainted it at one time so I can’t say it is original but compared to the NOS pieces it looks the same.  My glove box door is also not as flat as the new bezel either. 
« Last Edit: December 09, 2017, 12:14:19 AM by J_Speegle »
Chris
1965 Honey Gold Fastback (SJ 10/29/64)
1965 Caspian Blue Fastback (SJ 06/03/65)
2009 V6 Mustang Coupe

Offline CharlesTurner

  • Charles Turner
  • Administrator
  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 7614
Re: 65 Standard Instrument CLuster Finish
« Reply #1 on: December 08, 2017, 10:30:03 PM »
It should be relatively flat, satin at most.  The idea was to reduce glare where possible... which for 65 was kind of a joke with all the other chrome/stainless bits everywhere that could blind one on a sunny day.
Charles Turner - MCA/SAAC Judge
Concours Mustang Forum Admin

Offline michaelvonlanthen

  • Full Member
  • ***
  • Posts: 123
Re: 65 Standard Instrument Cluster Finish
« Reply #2 on: December 09, 2017, 11:12:38 AM »
Just received my NOS (or Service part?) 64 1/2-65 instrument bezel. Here some photos of it.
P.S. there is no part number or logo on the back visible - normal?
Michael Vonlanthen
Switzerland

5F08D189*** - 76A   F   42   06G    75   1   6
Guardsman Blue Convertible with white interior, AT, PB, AC, console, Rally-Pac

Offline ChrisV289

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 1956
Re: 65 Standard Instrument Cluster Finish
« Reply #3 on: December 09, 2017, 12:26:01 PM »
My original did not have any part number on it but had a lightgray back to it.  Repro was all chrome in the back.  Here are some comparisons of the finish.  Reproduction on top, original on bottom...
« Last Edit: December 09, 2017, 12:28:31 PM by ChrisV289 »
Chris
1965 Honey Gold Fastback (SJ 10/29/64)
1965 Caspian Blue Fastback (SJ 06/03/65)
2009 V6 Mustang Coupe

Offline jwc66k

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 7098
Re: 65 Standard Instrument Cluster Finish
« Reply #4 on: December 09, 2017, 04:03:37 PM »
There should be Ford part numbers and a FOMOCO (in a box) logo on the back side of all the pieces, except the lens, if it's original or NOS.
Jim
I promise to be politically correct in all my posts to keep the BBBB from vociferating.

Offline michaelvonlanthen

  • Full Member
  • ***
  • Posts: 123
Re: 65 Standard Instrument Cluster Finish
« Reply #5 on: December 09, 2017, 06:18:40 PM »
Jim, where should the FOMOCO logo and part number be located? The back of my believed NOS cluster is grey as well.
Michael Vonlanthen
Switzerland

5F08D189*** - 76A   F   42   06G    75   1   6
Guardsman Blue Convertible with white interior, AT, PB, AC, console, Rally-Pac

Offline NEFaurora

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 970
Re: 65 Standard Instrument Cluster Finish
« Reply #6 on: December 10, 2017, 09:54:41 AM »

"P.S. there is no part number or logo on the back visible - normal?"

I've never seen an Original NOS Ford one without one...

"There should be Ford part numbers and a FOMOCO (in a box) logo on the back side of all the pieces, except the lens, if it's original or NOS."

+1  I believe the same.


Yours having a Grey backing with no part number or Ford Logo is indeed interesting.  It may be something that has never been documented.  I would say more research should be done here..

In my personal experience, All the ones that I have ever seen that were original had the Ford Part Number and the Ford Logo molded into the top Plastic bar which is only visible if the part/dash cluster is removed from the car.

:o)

Tony K.
Tony Kovar (NEFaurora@aol.com)
1965 Mustang Convertible 200 cid 3spd manual
1966 Mustang Convertible Sprint 200 C4 Auto
2007 Mustang Convertible V6 Auto with "Pony Package".
1966 Mustang Sprint 200 Registry Owner/Moderator
MCA#70001

Offline ChrisV289

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 1956
Re: 65 Standard Instrument Cluster Finish
« Reply #7 on: December 10, 2017, 11:07:42 AM »
So now I am questioning if mine is original or an NOS piece that the second owner might have changed back in the 70's until 1992.  Were they reproducing these back then or were there still NOS pieces available?  Here is the back of mine I took off.  I'd be interested to see an original one. 
Chris
1965 Honey Gold Fastback (SJ 10/29/64)
1965 Caspian Blue Fastback (SJ 06/03/65)
2009 V6 Mustang Coupe

Offline J_Speegle

  • Administrator
  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 24173
Re: 65 Standard Instrument Cluster Finish
« Reply #8 on: December 10, 2017, 06:07:40 PM »
There are a number of possibilities IMHO

- Its a repo

- Its a later NOS or what is sometimes referred to as New Old Replacement Stock. Often service replacement contracts (to fill the need and shelves years after the car was made) are subbed out to multiple, new or different suppliers using the old blueprints

I looked around but I don't ahve a 65 handy - grabbed a 66 NOS one and its (chrome) on the back side with FoMoCo part number and a makers mark. Sorry the box does not have a shipping label so we can place when it was sold or on a shelf
Jeff Speegle

Anything worth doing is worth doing concours ;)

Offline CharlesTurner

  • Charles Turner
  • Administrator
  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 7614
Re: 65 Standard Instrument Cluster Finish
« Reply #9 on: December 11, 2017, 12:07:49 AM »
The originals I've seen were gray on the back, but more of a satin plastic appearance, not shiny.

I don't remember ever seeing an engineering number molded into the back of a standard '65 bezel, vaguely recall a FoMoCo inscription.
Charles Turner - MCA/SAAC Judge
Concours Mustang Forum Admin

Offline Hipo giddyup

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 1201
  • There is no end to doing right. Giddyup!!!
Re: 65 Standard Instrument Cluster Finish
« Reply #10 on: December 11, 2017, 01:02:36 PM »
I have a few originals handy and will try to post some photos soon. I feel that there is at least a FOMOCO on the back as others here have mentioned.
1967 Springtime Yellow Coupe, 289 2v 3spd, Metuchen built, Nov. 17th 66'
1966 Sahara Beige Coupe, 289 2v 3spd, Dearborn built, July 21st 66'
1964 1/2 Pagoda Green Coupe, 260 2v 3spd, Dearborn built, June 30th 64'
1966 GT350 Fastback clone, 289 HiPo, 725cfm Holley, 4spd, SanJose built, Nov 25th 65'

Offline Hipo giddyup

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 1201
  • There is no end to doing right. Giddyup!!!
Re: 65 Standard Instrument Cluster Finish
« Reply #11 on: December 25, 2017, 06:05:59 PM »
 I took apart what I believe to be, an original 1965 cluster. The back of the instrument cluster itself has very few remnants of any chroming and no FOMOCO markings. I do not feel that this is a reproduction part. I have a 1964 1/2 gauge cluster I could take apart as well. It is original to my 64 1/2 and has never been replaced. I’m curious to see if it had any FOMOCO markings on it.
1967 Springtime Yellow Coupe, 289 2v 3spd, Metuchen built, Nov. 17th 66'
1966 Sahara Beige Coupe, 289 2v 3spd, Dearborn built, July 21st 66'
1964 1/2 Pagoda Green Coupe, 260 2v 3spd, Dearborn built, June 30th 64'
1966 GT350 Fastback clone, 289 HiPo, 725cfm Holley, 4spd, SanJose built, Nov 25th 65'

Offline ChrisV289

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 1956
Re: 65 Standard Instrument Cluster Finish
« Reply #12 on: December 26, 2017, 10:59:16 PM »
Anyone else take apart an original cluster and find no markings?
Chris
1965 Honey Gold Fastback (SJ 10/29/64)
1965 Caspian Blue Fastback (SJ 06/03/65)
2009 V6 Mustang Coupe

Offline CharlesTurner

  • Charles Turner
  • Administrator
  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 7614
Re: 65 Standard Instrument Cluster Finish
« Reply #13 on: December 28, 2017, 12:11:53 PM »
I'm sure I remember seeing FoMoCo molded into the back, like inside one of the edges/cuts on the back side.  It was somewhat faint and not easy to find.
Charles Turner - MCA/SAAC Judge
Concours Mustang Forum Admin

Offline suskeenwiske

  • Sr. Member
  • ****
  • Posts: 417
  • 214-347-3628
Re: 65 Standard Instrument Cluster Finish
« Reply #14 on: December 28, 2017, 01:32:50 PM »
Anyone else take apart an original cluster and find no markings?

I couldn't find any marking on my original cluster either but will clean it up a bit and take a much closer look.

Ray
Ray
1965 Dearborn Coupe
6 Cylinder, AT, PB, PS, AC
Est. Build 23A