1985 ssp car what to look for to authenticate?

[stielow775]

So to strip off the old paint off this car is media blasting or scuffing and repainting the way to go. How are most people refinishing there ssp here on the forum. I got a quote to media blast the whole exterior for 1200 bucks. Seems kinda steep.


Thanks so much. Picking up tomorrow am and will post pics.



matt

[predator20]

This is supposed to be an '84 car? Either they took an entire '86 car and swapped it out. Or it's really an '86 and the vin # has been changed. The car has the third brake light which wasn't introduced until the '86 model. An '86 and up EFI conversion can be done, but it's still a lot of work. Everything on the entire car tells me it's an '86, not an '84

[28HopUp]

Originally Posted by predator20

This is supposed to be an '84 car? Either they took an entire '86 car and swapped it out. Or it's really an '86 and the vin # has been changed. The car has the third brake light which wasn't introduced until the '86 model. An '86 and up EFI conversion can be done, but it's still a lot of work. Everything on the entire car tells me it's an '86, not an '84

I agree. That car seems like an 86, so you better make sure the correct VIN matches the title. It could be a clerical error on the title (my 28 Model A was titled as a 29), but you better make sure the VIN hasn't been swapped before handing over the cash.

[FoxChassis]

DSO 76-0109 is from '86.

So where did you get the VIN from? Did the seller give it to you or did you see it for yourself? If you saw it for yourself, where did you look?

There are ways to figure out VIN swaps, even if they were done well enough to fool most people.

[stielow775]

I saw the actual title and it said it was a 84 i am thinking its a clerical error if not where can i check to make sure its the right vin number?


Let me know asap because I am getting it tomorrow.



Matt

[FoxChassis]

A "clerical error" is a big stretch. I can't see how an '84 VIN, complete with the correct check digit and model year code, could be put on title that's for an '86 model year car. (The '86 check digit would most likely be different and the model year code would most certainly be different.) Sounds more like a VIN plate swap (w/ matching title) to me. If it's a VIN/title swap, it could be beacuse the '86 is stolen, or the title has been branded as salvage, destroyed, etc. You need to go over that car thoroughly. The following items should all match.

1. The VIN plate riveted to the firewall, visible through driver-side base of windshield. You should be able to see the rivets on either side of the complete VIN. The plate should not just be laying in there or held in with double-side sticky tape. It should not be cut, or bent, etc. There should not be anything in or around the area that's obstructing the view of the whole plate, e.g. a piece of paper trying to hide the fact that the plate has been tampered with.

2. The Vehicle Certifcation Label ("door sticker/tag") on the rear face of the driver-side door. This will also have the complete VIN and some of the codes will match the original Buck Tags, most importantly the DSO and the last six of the VIN. Sometimes the label is painted over or has been removed, or the door has been replaced, so it may not be of any help.

3. The Buck Tags. One tag has the DSO (76-0109 in this case), which should match the DSO on the VC Lablel. The other tag has the partial VIN (last six). There are lots of other codes and some can be matched to the VC Label.

4. A partial VIN (last eight) on the engine and transmission. See the attachments for the VIN locations on each.

5. A partial VIN on the inner fender tags. The outer fenders have to be removed to see these tags. There is one on each inner fender, and the tag is spot welded from the factory. The last eight of the VIN is stamped to the tag.

That's SEVEN places where a full or partial VIN can be found on the car.

[28HopUp]

^ ^ ^ Good information ^ ^ ^

Let us know if you are able to determine if the seller is mis-representing (perhaps unknowingly) an 86 SSP as an 84. VIN swaps do happen unfortunately.

[FHP813]

It's suddenly become a question of "is it an SSP'' to "is it an 84" I hope Matt sees this info before he pays his money.

[MOstang]

Originally Posted by 28HopUp

^ ^ ^ Good information ^ ^ ^

+ 1 that was great info.

[FoxChassis]

I can't believe I didn't notice this until now but that '84 VIN posted on page two is for a HATCHBACK.

1FA = USA, Ford
B = manual seatbelts, no airbags
P = passenger car
28 = Mustang 3-door hatchback
M = 5.0L engine
0 = VIN check digit
E = 1984 model year
F = Dearborn Assembly (DAP)
206937 = 106,937th 1984 Mustang assigned a VIN at DAP