1973 Mustang VIN Decoder
Last Updated May 24, 2024 | Kevin BrentAny classic car restoration project is a big undertaking, but if you're prepared and do your research beforehand, you can save yourself a lot of time and money. If you own a 1973 Mustang, one of the most important things you can do is decode your Mustang's VIN and data plate. Use our 1973 Mustang Vin decoder below. This will tell you what body style, paint color, trim, axle ratio, engine, and transmission your 1973 Mustang came with from the factory. Knowing this information will help you replace old parts and ensure that you're working with all original parts.
Keep reading to learn where to find the VIN and data plate on your 1973 Mustang. Then, look up the data codes in our tables to learn more about your Mustang. With a little bit of effort upfront, you can make sure your classic Mustang restoration project is a success. If you'd rather just type in your data plate information, use our classic Mustang data plate decoder tool.
1973 Mustang VIN Number Location
The easiest place to find the VIN for your 1973 Mustang is under the hood on the driver's side fender apron. If the VIN is not visible there, try removing the fender. You might find an alternate location for the VIN just behind the one shown in our image, but underneath the fender.
1973 Mustang Data Plate Location
The data plate is found attached to the inside of the driver's side door and contains the vehicle's VIN as well. The top line of the data plates displays the categories of each code. These categories are: body, color, trim, date, DSO, axle ratio, and transmission.
| Body Code | Description |
|---|---|
| 63D | 2-Door Sports Roof |
| 63R | 2-Door Sports Roof Mach 1 |
| 65D | 2-Door Hardtop, Standard |
| 65F | 2-Door Hardtop, Grande |
| 76D | Convertible |
| Paint Code | Color Name | Sample |
|---|---|---|
| 2B | Bright Red | |
| 3B | Light Blue | |
| 3D | Medium Blue | |
| 3K | Blue Glow | |
| 4B | Bright Green Glow | |
| 4C | Ivy Glow | |
| 4N | Medium Aqua | |
| 4P | Medium Green | |
| 4Q | Dark Green | |
| 5A | Light Pewter | |
| 5H | Medium Brown (Ginger) | |
| 5M | Medium Copper | |
| 6B | Light Yellow Gold | |
| 6E | Medium Bright Yellow | |
| 6F | Gold Glow | |
| 9A | Wimbledon White |
| Code | Primary Color/Material | Secondary Color/Material | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| AA | Black Corinthian Vinyl | Black Ruffino Vinyl | Standard Option |
| AB | Blue Corinthian Vinyl | Blue Ruffino Vinyl | Standard Option |
| AF | Ginger Corinthian Vinyl | Ginger Ruffino Vinyl | Standard Option |
| AG | Avocado Corinthian Vinyl | Avocado Ruffino Vinyl | Standard Option |
| AU | Tan Corinthian Vinyl | Tan Ruffino Vinyl | Standard Option |
| AW | White Corinthian Vinyl | White Ruffino Vinyl | Standard Option |
| CA | Black Corinthian Vinyl | Black Ruffino Knitted Vinyl | Decor Group |
| CB | Blue Corinthian Vinyl | Blue Ruffino Knitted Vinyl | Decor Group |
| CF | Ginger Corinthian Vinyl | Ginger Ruffino Knitted Vinyl | Decor Group |
| CG | Avocado Corinthian Vinyl | Avocado Ruffino Knitted Vinyl | Decor Group |
| CU | Tan Corinthian Vinyl | Tan Ruffino Knitted Vinyl | Decor Group |
| CW | White Corinthian Vinyl | White Ruffino Knitted Vinyl | Decor Group |
| FA | Black Corinthian Vinyl | Black Lambeth Cloth | Grande Option |
| FB | Blue Corinthian Vinyl | Blue Lambeth Cloth | Grande Option |
| FF | Ginger Corinthian Vinyl | Ginger Lambeth Cloth | Grande Option |
| FG | Avocado Corinthian Vinyl | Avocado Lambeth Cloth | Grande Option |
| FU | Tan Corinthian Vinyl | Tan Lambeth Cloth | Grande Option |
| GA | Black Corinthian Vinyl | Black Knitted Vinyl | Mach 1 Option |
| GB | Blue Corinthian Vinyl | Blue Knitted Vinyl | Mach 1 Option |
| GF | Ginger Corinthian Vinyl | Ginger Knitted Vinyl | Mach 1 Option |
| GG | Avocado Corinthian Vinyl | Avocado Knitted Vinyl | Mach 1 Option |
| GU | Tan Corinthian Vinyl | Tan Knitted Vinyl | Mach 1 Option |
| GW | White Corinthian Vinyl | White Knitted Vinyl | Mach 1 Option |
Learn more about your 1973 Mustang's interior trim and style.
| Date Code | Description |
|---|---|
| xxA | Day | January |
| xxB | Day | February |
| xxC | Day | March |
| xxD | Day | April |
| xxE | Day | May |
| xxF | Day | June |
| xxG | Day | July |
| xxH | Day | August | xxJ | Day | September |
| xxK | Day | October |
| xxL | Day | November |
| xxM | Day | December |
| District Code | Description |
|---|---|
| 11 | Boston |
| 12 | Buffalo |
| 13 | New York |
| 14 | Pittsburgh |
| 15 | Newark |
| 16 | Philadelphia |
| 17 | Washington |
| 21 | Atlanta |
| 22 | Charlotte |
| 23 | Memphis |
| 24 | Jacksonville |
| 25 | Richmond |
| 26 | New Orleans |
| 28 | Louisville |
| 41 | Chicago |
| 42 | Cleveland |
| 43 | Milwaukee |
| 45 | Lansing |
| 46 | Indianapolis |
| 47 | Cincinnati |
| 48 | Detroit |
| 52 | Dallas |
| 53 | Kansas City |
| 54 | Omaha |
| 55 | St. Louis |
| 56 | Davenport |
| 57 | Houston |
| 58 | Twin Cities |
| 71 | Los Angeles |
| 72 | San Jose |
| 73 | Salt Lake City |
| 74 | Seattle |
| 75 | Phoenix |
| 76 | Denver |
| 83 | Government |
| 84 | Home Office Reserve |
| 85 | American Red Cross |
| 87 | Body Company |
| 89 | Transportation Services |
| 90-99 | Export |
| B1 | Canada - Central |
| B2 | Canada - Eastern |
| B3 | Canada - Atlantic |
| B4 | Canada - Midwestern |
| B6 | Canada - Western |
| B7 | Canada - Pacific |
| I2 | Canada - Export |
| 7D | Alaska |
| Axle Code | Rear Gear Ratio | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 2 | 2.75 | |
| 3 | 2.79 | |
| 4 | 3.80 | |
| 6 | 3.00 | |
| 8 | 3.18 | |
| 9 | 3.25 | |
| A | 3.50 | |
| B | 3.07 | |
| C | 3.55 | |
| H | 3.78 | |
| K | 2.75 | Limited Slip Differential |
| M | 3.80 | Limited Slip Differential |
| O | 3.00 | Limited Slip Differential |
| R | 3.25 | Limited Slip Differential |
| S | 3.50 | Limited Slip Differential |
| V | 3.91 | Limited Slip Differential |
Learn more about Mustang rear gear ratios to see if changing the axle ratio may be right for your build.
| Code | Description |
|---|---|
| 1 | 3 Speed Manual |
| 5 | 4 Speed Manual |
| E | 4 Speed Manual |
| U | C-6 Automatic |
| W | C-4 Automatic |
| X | FMX Automatic |
| Code | Description |
|---|---|
| 3 | 1973 |
| Code | Description |
|---|---|
| F | Dearborn, MI |
| R | San Jose, CA |
| T | Metuchen, NJ |
| Code | Description |
|---|---|
| 01 | 2-Door Hardtop |
| 02 | 2-Door Sports Roof |
| 03 | 2-Door Convertible |
| 04 | 2-Door Hardtop Grande |
| 05 | 2-Door Sports Roof Mach 1 |
| Engine Code | Displacement | Bore | Stroke | Compression Ratio | Horsepower | Torque | Carburetor |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| F | 302 CID | 4.00" | 3.00" | 9.5:1 | 210 hp @ 4,600 RPM | 300 lb-ft @ 2,800 RPM | 2-Barrel |
| H | 351 CID | 4.00" | 3.50" | 9.5:1 | 250 hp @ 4,600 RPM | 355 lb-ft @ 2,600 RPM | 2-Barrel |
| L | 250 CID | 3.68" | 3.91" | 9.0:1 | 155 hp @ 4,000 RPM | 240 lb-ft @ 2,600 RPM | 1-Barrel |
| Q | 351 CID | 4.00" | 3.50" | 8.8:1 | 266 hp @ 5,400 RPM | 301 lb-ft @ 3,600 RPM | 4-Barrel |
Compare the specs for all classic Mustang engines in our engine guide for 1964.5-1973 Mustangs.
Use Our 1973 Mustang VIN Decoder to Jumpstart Your Restoration
With your data plate decoded, you'll know exactly what your 1973 Mustang was like when it left the factory.
Get all the 1973 Mustang parts you need for your restoration or restomod project at CJ's.
If you want to see what came stock on other first-gen Mustangs, check out the VIN and data plate information for these Mustang years: 1964.5, 1965, 1966, 1967, 1968, 1969, 1970, 1971, 1972.
Image Credit 1973 Ford Mustang Mach 1 fastback neg CN6603-053, Ford Mustang | Mustang Mach 1
