Do I Really Have a HCS?

[jooleette]

Hello everybody!

My name is Karen and I excited to say that I finally have my 1967 Mustang sitting in the driveway. At the risk of sounding like a girly-girl, I was only attracted to the body style so I have to admit I really don't know anything about Mustangs and specifically I don't have a clue about the one I have.

My brother suggested I do a VIN check and perhaps find a build sheet for it. Which of course I did and this is how I found my way here.

The VIN decoder I used said that I possibly have either a California or High Country Special.

Can somebody please be kind enough to tell me how I would find this out to be certain?

And what exactly does that mean to me? Are these cars more in demand? Are they worth more? Is it best to repaint it to one of the three colours (it's red now) and put in the original engine (I have a 351 Cleveland)?

I look forward to hearing from you!

Karen

 

[rvrtrash]

Welcome Karen. Being a "girly-girl" is not a bad thing. Ask away. If it's a '67, it is not a California Special. They were '68 only. If you go to the VIN reports link at the left of the screen, you can order a report from Marti Auto Works that will tell you if it's a High Country Special or not. That's the only way to tell for sure. I wouldn't worry about changing your engine for now. I'm a big fan of the Cleveland and unless you have the original serial numbered block stashed somewhere, you'll spend more building a new engine than the increase (if any) in value.

Steve

 

[jooleette]

Hi Steve

So nice to meet you. I took your advice and ordered a report from Marti Auto Works. I don't know where I am in the list of owners but I do know that I do not have the "original serial numbered block". I have to admit that I'm a little scared of the Cleveland (don't tell any body I said that) because I've been told it's too much power for me. But I'm willing to learn how to harness the power (pardon the pun). What is your take on it? Is it something to be feared? Is it too much for the typical Sunday drive? How is it on fuel?

I hope you don't mind me asking so many questions. I've had the car for less than a week and I can already see the obsession you've mentioned.

Thank you again

Karen

 

[Midnight Special]

Hi Karen,
That's a very nice looking car! Regarding the Cleveland; It all depends on whether it was pumped up for racing vs relatively stock. Indeed, a stock 351C will provide plenty of kick for your pony, but it is far from "freaky". I have that motor in a 1970 Mach I and it is a most docile and predictable driver, yet plenty of reserve when you give it more oats ;-) I average 13-15 mpg highway and 8-10 mpg stop & go... Needless to say, I didn't get mine for economy, rather like you, for the "experience". I hope you enjoy yours to the fullest ;-)) Welcome!!

 

[admin]

Karen, welcome to the site!

I'm curious which VIN decoder you used that told you it might be a CS or HCS. Do you have a link to it?

Anyway, check your DSO number on your dataplate. It should be 6 digits (instead of 2) if it's a HCS car. The 4 extra digits on the DSO indicate a special order, which in the case of a HCS means special exterior paint.

(Note: this only applies to '66 and '67 HCS cars. The '68 HCS cars weren't typicaly special paints, so they only have the normal 2 digit DSO)

 

[jooleette]

Hi Tim

Thank you for your reply. I don't know if the motor is stock or not. The car sat for four years and is not running very well at the moment so I really can't tell you much right now. A friend's husband is a mechanic and has restored a '68 for his mom so it will be going to him on Wednesday for a check up. I"m hoping to learn more about my car then.

Hi Jon

It's nice to meet you. The decoder I used was decodethis.com.

After that I don't know what you said ;-). I don't know what the DSO number is or a dataplate. Where would I find that information? I am only going by the insurance papers for the VIN. I don't have any information from the door or else where.

I really appreciate all the help you guys are giving me!!

Karen

 

[hicountrybob]

Karen, welcome to the site!

I'm curious which VIN decoder you used that told you it might be a CS or HCS. Do you have a link to it?

Anyway, check your DSO number on your dataplate. It should be 6 digits (instead of 2) if it's a HCS car. The 4 extra digits on the DSO indicate a special order, which in the case of a HCS means special exterior paint.

(Note: this only applies to '66 and '67 HCS cars. The '68 HCS cars weren't typicaly special paints, so they only have the normal 2 digit DSO)

Thanks, Jon, you saved me some time. KAREN, tell us your vin. # and the second line #'s on your door tag and we can see if it is already in the registry and also we'll be able to tell you what you have or don't have. Did prior owner tell you it was a HCS? AND where are the badges for the front fenders? hicountry Bob here.

 

[BroadwayBlue]

Hi Karen,

Welcome to the site and the Wonderful World of Mustangs (or is that Disney??)

Hopefully the picture below helps ... this is your dataplate and it's located in the drivers side door jamb.

The top number is the VIN and the numbers along the bottom is the other info we're after.

 

[admin]

Looks like the VIN decoder at decodethis.com brings up the possibility of it being a GT/CS or HCS any time there's an "R" as the second digit (meaning it was built in the San Jose plant) Unfortunately that's not a very realistic way of looking at it. Many, MANY cars had an "R" as the second digit and aren't GT/CS or HCS cars. I just typed in the VIN for a '66 Falcon and it said it might be a GT/CS!:smile:

Karen, when you get the chance look on the jamb of your driver's door. There should be a data tag that lists your VIN on the first line and then a series of numbers/letters on the second line. Post back with that info and it will help us help you.

 

[admin]

Oops. Rich beat me to it.

 

[jooleette]

My goodness what a great welcome! Hi everybody!

Ok so what happens if I don't have one of those dataplates on my door? I've looked around the car and in the box of left over parts but I don't seem to have one.

Hi hicountry Bob, I'm sorry to admit that I don't have (or maybe I don't know where to look for) fender badges.

This is what I know of the car. Back in the early 90's it belonged to a fella who started to restore it. I can't honestly tell you what he did other than a few spark plugs and tires. It was sold to the guy I got it from in the mid to late 90's. He was a "body guy" so he stripped it down and gave it a paint job and other things. I have a ton of receipts for small things unfortunately nothing that shows who changed the engine or other major stuff.

Secondly, my VIN is 7R01T195230. I thought it might have more to do with the engine size to be an HCS but what do I know.

I know I must look like a total dufus here but I really do appreciate all of your help. I will see what I can do to find that door plate. Perhaps the previous owner has it filed away or something. Is it something that I can replace once I have more information from the Marti Auto people? Would Ford have that kind of info? What are the chances of a HCS making it across the boarder?

Thank you again everybody. You've been a great help.

Karen

 

[68 special]

Welcome Karen, Don't ever be afraid to ask questions. Is it possible that the door data plate got painted over? It should be right below the door latch. Look for a couple of bumps where the rivets would be. It could be under that pretty red paint.

Bret

 

[Mosesatm]

Hi Karen,

Just a few questions to help you in your quest.

If there is no data plate on the door where did you get the VIN to order the Marti report? Is there a VIN plate on top of the dash, near the defroster duct, on the passenger side?

Here is a picture showing where the data plate should be. It's possible the door had been replaced and/or the data plate removed.

The "T" in your VIN means that the car originally had a 6-cylinder engine.

 

[jooleette]

Hi Bret

I only have holes where the rivets should be.

I do not have any emblems or other distinguishing marks on the car. The only thing that screams Mustang is the body.

I guess I'll have to become Nancy Drew and find more information.

Thanks so much.
Karen

 

[jooleette]

Good Morning Arlie

I took the VIN from the vehicle transfer papers and the insurance papers. That's all I have to go by at this point.

Could this be bad?
K

 

[Mustanglvr]

You know Karen, you have a beautiful Mustang and as long as it`s not stolen, you`re doing great! It should`nt matter if it`s a special edition or a regular Mustang. Not having the original engine is not a problem. You can put anything you want in it for power now. It is a Mustang and you should be very proud.

 

[Mosesatm]

Good Morning Arlie

I took the VIN from the vehicle transfer papers and the insurance papers. That's all I have to go by at this point.

Could this be bad?
K

It would be good to find the VIN somewhere on the car.

It is also stamped on the tops of the inner fenders. I don't remember if '67s had each inner fender stamped or just one of them.

Driver's door, dash, and inner fenders are the only VIN locales I know of (other than the engine and transmission) but I'm sure others will help out with other sites.

 

[franklinair]

Nice looking '67. Where in the world is Shuswap!? The T code indicates the car was manufactured with a six cylinder engine, and obviously had a conversion to the V-8. Good luck. I know you'll enjoy your Mustang, and the folks on this website are knowledgable and willing to help.
Neil Hoppe (in North Carolina)

 

[jooleette]

Hi Rhonda! Nice to meet you.

I hope I'm not giving the wrong impression of not being happy with my car. I absolutely LOVE it. I've been waiting for 20 years for this and I couldn't be more happy. I thank you for your encouragment though.

Hi Arlie,

I looked at the inside fenders and can't make out any of the digits there. I know there is nothing on the doors or the dash. Since the engine is not original that won't help but I'm pretty sure the transmission is. Perhaps that will?

Hello Neil

The Shuswap is in the interior of British Columbia. Very sunny and hot in the summer but very cold in the winter. It's very beautiful here (am I boasting too much?)

Yes, I now have a 351 Cleveland engine but that's where my knowledge ends. Perhaps somebody can enlighten me on horsepower etc that would come with it?

Since my little mustang sat for a few years and it's not running perfectly I have only been sitting in it in the garage for the past week. It's a rather pathetic sight according to my teenage son. I know that I will get so much enjoyment from it once it's running better. I'm not mechanically inclinded (could you tell ;-)? but I've already had the back seats ripped out so I could dust it!

It's a beauty and I feel very lucky to have it HCS or not.

PS: will I have to leave if it's not?

 

[Midnight Special]

PS: will I have to leave if it's not?

...Naw - we'll just loosely refer it as "The Shuswap Special" An ultra-rare '67 variant that came with the prototype 351C and red paint only! With that, you can stay ;-)))