Description:
 | Incorrect Media Statements
To clarify, there has never been in the past or currently a heated argument between www.classicmusclecars.com and The Henry Ford Museum.
In fact there is no argument at all. We acknowledge that Mustang 100001 is in the museum and it is vin #1. Any controversy that exists on this topic has been fueled by a select few media sources, which have misquoted our representatives or taken statements on our website out of context and not presented the complete story of the Early Mustangs.
We also are puzzled by the confusion that has developed on this topic for two specific reasons:
1) The majority of the facts we have gathered in our research are already well known and discussed in Mustang publications, Mustang Registries, and the internet.
2) Mustang 212 is not a mystery vehicle that has just been discovered. This Convertible is well known in Mustang circles, chronicled in Mustang publications, and entered in Mustang Registries. It was also displayed at the Towe Museum in San Diego, CA for a period of over ten years. It was loaned to Henry Clay Ford’s granddaughter to use at her wedding in December 2006. We have a letter from William Clay Ford thanking the previous owner for use of this historic automobile. It is a part of number 212’s documentation and history.
Our position is simple, clear, and concise. It is not semantics. For years, a story has evolved that on March 9, 1964, Ford powered up the Dearborn assembly line and initiated production of Mustangs for sale to the American public, beginning with 100001. The facts are that prior to the March 9, first day of production for sale to the American public, a group of Mustangs were assembled, known as Pre-Production units. These units are immediately recognizable by a scheduled production date of March 5, 1964 (05C) on the door tag, and a DSO (District Sales Office code) for special use, not for retail sale to one of the District Sales Offices in the United States. There is a distinct and obvious difference between these units. Our research clearly proves that the units did not roll down the assembly line. Rather, these vehicles were assembled randomly, primarily hand built, in the months prior to March 5, 1964, stamped 05C for documentation purposes. There is also proof that these Pre-Production units were randomly numbered, so no one knows which was the first to be assembled.
Our company, which has been in business for 30 years primarily selling muscle cars of the 60’s and 70’s, also owns #93 which is a Pre-Production Mustang convertible. We have discovered many facts, through the codes on the vehicle’s radiator support. When it was stripped for restoration, dates and codes were revealed, key facts that prove our car and the other Pre-Production Mustangs were hand built. Also, other important hidden facts about the vehicle’s assembly were revealed when it was dismantled for restoration. These facts support the fact that the Pre-Production Mustangs were hand assembled. In addition, we have examined additional documentation concerning Pre-Production Mustangs, supplied by other Pre-Production Mustangs owners, that supports the hand built theory. A sixty minute documentary on the history of early Mustang production is currently being filmed by NICAB Media. The documentary will offer up proof to substantiate the fact that Pre-Production Mustangs were hand built. This documentary is due to be released in late spring, early summer of 2010.
There were a multitude of uses for these vehicles. Twelve were sent to the Skyway exhibit of the Ford Pavilion at the New York World’s Fair. Several were sent to auto racing participants, such as Holman- Moody in North Carolina and Alan Mann Racing in England. Many were exported out of the U.S. for display, promotional and research purposes. Some were used for marketing, research, and testing purposes within the U.S. None were intended for retail sale to the American public, as per the documentation of any 05C car’s DSO. The Skyway exhibit cars even had their own special DSO-840027, which was New York World’s Fair. The Pre Production Mustang’s were to serve their appointed duties, then be returned to Dearborn. Many were modified with experimental components and outfitted with parts clearly noted with Pre-Production Parts decals, (which we have proof of.) The Skyway cars were shipped without engines and transmissions to the World’s Fair to be used as a ride at the Magic Skyway Exhibit in the Ford Pavilion.
An example is 100001. When the door tag is decoded, this car has a DSO of 81, export to Ford of Canada. . It was originally an export car. The DSO on this Convertible is Ford of Canada. Mustang 100001 was shipped to Ford of Canada, to be displayed at Canadian Ford dealers across the country, then returned to Dearborn. It was mistakenly sold to the Canadian pilot by an over zealous salesman. As soon as Ford realized the mistake, they instituted the process of reclaiming it. It took some time, but they acquired it and it is now in the Henry Ford museum. On the other hand, the door tag on Mustang 212 clearly indicates a DSO of 24, the Jacksonville, Florida Retail Sales District.
In conclusion, you cannot correlate Mustang 100001 with 100212. That is comparing apples to oranges. However, it is imperative to understand the clear and distinct differences between the two Convertibles, between a vehicle originally assembled for special use, and a vehicle that rolled off the assembly line for retail sale to the public. The DSO for number 100212 clearly distinguishes “retail sale.” A Pre-Production unit with an 05C scheduled build date and a retail unit with an 09C scheduled build date means that bottom line fact, 09C is the first day that the historical Dearborn plant opened for retail production. 05C are clearly Pre Production Mustangs. The facts are that after 45 years, since March 9, 1964, the earliest known DSO for retail sale, belongs to number 100212, the 1964 1/2 Mustang owned by ClassicMuscleCars.com. Per our research, we guarantee Mustang 100212 is the first Mustang to be issued a VIN number for retail sale on March 9, 1964, the first day of Mustang production at the Dearborn Assembly Line.
If you would like to read a current article out in Muscle Car Review by the editor himself who is a car guy, muscle car, classic muscle car historian, read the editor’s note on page 8 of the March, 2008 issue. This is a responsible article written by a very knowledgeable editor who understands the difference between Pre-Production and retail production.
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