VIN and Dataplate Identification 

VIN Stamping locations by year:

1967 - Stamped into the top upper flange of the left front (driver’s side) fender apron, exposed by a notched section in the fender.
1968 - On an aluminum tag riveted to the passenger side dashboard frame on the lower edge of the windshield, visible from outside.
1969 & 1970 - On an aluminum tag riveted to the driver side dashboard frame on the lower edge of the windshield, visible from outside. 
 

VIN CODE SEQUENCE:

Example - 7F91S500001

MODEL YEAR CODE:

7 (1967), 8 (1968), 9 (1969), 0 (1970)

ASSEMBLY PLANT CODES:

F DEARBORN, MICHIGAN
R SAN JOSE, CALIFORNIA

BODY SERIES CODES:

1967,1968, 1969 & 1970

 91 = STANDARD HARDTOP
 93 = XR-7 HARDTOP
  
1969 & 1970  

92 = STANDARD CONVERTIBLE
94 = XR-7 CONVERTIBLE

ENGINE CODES:

1967

     
1968

 1969

      
1970

CONSECUTIVE UNIT NUMBER:

All Cougar & Mercury model year consecutive unit numbers begin with 500001
Total 1967 Cougar production: 150,893
Total 1968 Cougar production: 113,741
Total 1969 Cougar production: 100,085
Total 1970 Cougar production: 72,365
 

DATA PLATE CODES

DATA PLATE LOCATON:  Rear edge of driver side door sill, 1967 to 1969 were aluminum tag plates and 1970 and later were white vehicle certification decals.

DATA PLATE APPEARANCE:

1967-69                                                                 

1970-73

BODY CODES:

1967-68

     
1969

1970

COLOR CODES: (EXTERIOR PAINT)

1967

   
1968

  
COLOR CODES: (EXTERIOR PAINT)

1969

1970

Exterior Color Notes:
§ Cougars with special order paint will usually have a blank paint code on the door data plate, but will have a 4 digit special order number consecutive with the DSO code.
§ Two-tone color combinations got two character color codes. The first character of the code indicates the lower color, the second letter or number indicates the upper color.
§ 1967 - Two-tone combinations were available with all body colors and roof colors in Onyx or Polar White only. Oxford Roofs (vinyl-tops) were only available in Black and Ivory.
§ 1968 - Two-tone color combinations: Polar White roof available with all body colors except Polar White. Onyx roof was available with all colors except Onyx, Augusta Green, Madras Blue, Glacier Blue, Caribbean Blue and Wellington Blue.
§ 1969 - Cougar two-tone color combinations: White roof available with all body colors except White and Pastel Gray. Black roof was available with all colors except Medium Green Metallic, Dark Ivy Green Metallic, Medium Blue Metallic, Bright Blue Metallic and Black. Vinyl roof in Black or White was available for any exterior color.
§ 1970 - Cougar two-tone color combinations: White roof available with all body colors except White and Pastel Blue. Black roof was available with all colors except Black, Dark Ivy Green Metallic and Bright Blue Metallic. Two-tone color combinations were not available for convertibles or Eliminators. Vinyl roof in Black or White was available for any exterior color.

TRIM CODES: (INTERIOR TRIM)

1967 - Trim Codes

   
1968 - Trim Codes

 1969 - Trim Codes

   
1970 - Trim Codes

DATE CODES:

A number signifying the date precedes the month code letter. The numeric part of the code is the day of the month in which the car was scheduled to be built. The letter indicates the month in which the car was scheduled to be built. A second year code was used if model production exceeded 12 months.

DISTRICT CODES

 District Sales Office

Units built on a Domestic Special Order, Foreign Special Order, or other Special orders will have the complete order number in this space. Also to appear in this space is the two-digit code number of the District which ordered the unit. If the unit is a regular production unit, only the District code number will appear.

§ Note: Canadian Lincoln-Mercury units used prefix “A” in place of “B”. “A” prefix Cougars were sold through Lincoln-Mercury exclusive dealerships and “B” prefix Cougars were sold through Ford-Lincoln-Mercury dealerships (usually in small towns outside major city centre’s).

 
AXLE CODES

Differential Ratios:

1967

*1967 locking rear differentials were “Equa-Lock” which utilized 3 fiber plates, 3 steel plates and one large Bellville spring to apply force (also referred to as a “Power Transfer Axle” in Mercury Brochures and advertisements.

   
1968

**1968 and later locking rear differentials were “Traction-Lock” which utilized 4 fiber plates, 5 steel plates and 4 springs to apply force. 

1969

**1968 and later locking rear differentials were “Traction-Lock” which utilized 4 fiber plates, 5 steel plates and 4 springs to apply force. 
 

1970

TRANSMISSION CODES

1967

1968

1969

   
1970

Information compiled by T. Martin for CougarOwners.Com

Information compiled from:
1967, 1968, 1969 & 1970 Ford / Mercury Shop Manuals
1967, 1968, 1969 & 1970 Mercury Cougar Sales Brochures
1965-1972 Mercury Master Parts Catalog

The material presented is intended to be for quick reference only, there is no guarantee expressed or implied by CougarOwners.Com as to the accuracy of this document. Any claims of value or originality for a particular car should only be substantiated by a recognized and certified vehicle appraiser.
When trying to determine the originality of a particular Cougar, it is highly recommended that a MARTI ™ Report be obtained.

Edited by V. Martin
 

VIN and Dataplate Information