Figures 1 and 2 illustrate the Ford and Mercury Warranty plates. The plate is located on the rear (lock) face of the left front door panel.
The official Vehicle Identification Number for title and registration purposes is stamped on a tab attached to the top right side (weld flange) of the dash panel in the engine compartment (Fig. 3 and 4). Do not use the Vehicle Warranty Number which appears on the Warranty plate for title or registration purposes.
The vehicle data appears in a line across the top of the warranty plate (Figs. 1 and 2). The first two letters and a number identify the Body Style. The following one or two letters identify the Exterior Paint Color. The next code consisting of two numbers, or a letter and a number, identifies the Interior Trim. The Date Code showing the date the car was manufactured follows the Trim Code and consists of two numbers and a letter. The next code gives the district in which the car was ordered and consist of two numbers. The next to the last code is the Axle Ratio Code and is designated by a number for a conventional axle or a letter for an Equa-Lock axle. The last code in the vehicle data is the Transmission Code and consist of one number. The charts that follow, list in detail the various vehicle data codes.
The vehicle warranty number is the second line of numbers and letters appearing on the Warranty Plate (Figs. 1 and 2). The first number indicates the model year. The letter following the model year indicates the assembly plant at which the car was manufactured. The next two numbers designate the Body Serial Code. The letter following the Body Serial Code designates the Engine Code. The remaining numbers indicate the Consecutive Unit Number. The charts that follow, list in detail the various Vehicle Warranty Number codes.
The two-digit numeral which follows the assembly plant code identifies the body series. This two-digit number is used in conjunction with the Body Style Code, in the Vehicle Data, which consist of a two-digit number with a letter suffix. The following chart lists the Body Serial Codes, Body Style Codes and the model.
Mercury
| Body Serial Code | Body Style Code | Body Type |
| Monterey | ||
| 42 | 50A | 4-Door Sedan † |
| 43 | 62A | 2-Door Sedan |
| 44 | 54A | 4-Door Sedan |
| 45 | 76A | 2-Door Convertible |
| 47 | 63A | 2-Door H/T Fastback |
| 48 | 57A | 4-Door H/T Fastback |
| 45 | 76G | 2-Door Convertible* |
| 47 | 63G | 2-Door H/T Fastback* |
| Montclair | ||
| 52 | 50B | 4-Door Sedan † |
| 57 | 63B | 2-Door H/T Fastback |
| 58 | 57B | 4-Door H/T Fastback |
| Parklane | ||
| 62 | 50F | 4-Door Sedan † |
| 65 | 76F | 4-Door Sedan † |
| 65 | 76C | 4-Door Convertible* |
| 67 | 63F | 2-Door H/T Fastback |
| 67 | 63C | 2-Door H/T Fastback* |
| Commuter | ||
| 72 | 71B | 4-Door 6 Passenger Station Wagon |
| 72 | 71C | 4-Door 9 Passenger Station Wagon |
| Colony Park | ||
| 76 | 71A | 4-Door 6 Passenger Station Wagon |
| 76 | 71E | 4-Door 9 Passenger Station Wagon |
Ford
| Body Serial Code | Body Style Code | Body Type |
| Ford Custom | ||
| 53 | 62A | 2-Door Sedan |
| 54 | 54E | 4-Door Sedan |
| Ford Custom 500 | ||
| 52 | 54B | 4-Door Sedan |
| 51 | 62B | 2-Door Sedan |
| Galaxie 500 | ||
| 62 | 54A | 4-Door Sedan |
| 64 | 57B | 4-Door Fastback |
| 66 | 63B | 2-Door Fastback |
| 65 | 76B | 2-Door Convertible |
| Galaxie 500 XL | ||
| 68 | 63C | 2-Door Fastback* |
| 69 | 76B | 2-Door Convertible* |
| Galaxie 500 Lt'd. | ||
| 60 | 57F | 4-Door Fastback |
| 67 | 63F | 2-Door Fastback |
| Station Wagons | ||
| 72 | 71B | 4-Door 6 Passenger |
| 74 | 71C | 4-Door 9 Passenger |
| Country Squire | ||
| 76 | 71E | 4-Door 6 Passenger |
| 78 | 71A | 4-Door 9 Passenger |
A single letter code designates a solid body color and two letters denote a two-tone - the first letter, the lower color and the second letter the upper color
| *M-30-J | ||
| Code | Number | Color |
| A | 1724-A | Black |
| C | 1736-A | Med. Ivy Gold Met. |
| D | 1625-A | Med. Turquoise Met. |
| F | 1626-A | Med. Ivy Gold Met. |
| H | 1544-A | Dk. Blue Met. |
| I | 1737-A | Lt. Beige Met. |
| J | 1515-A | Red |
| K | 1621-A | Med. Gray Met. |
| M | 1619-A | White |
| O | 1732-A | Lt. Peacock |
| P | 1739-A | Palomino Met. |
| R | 1879-A | Dk. Ivy Green Met. |
| T | 1631-A | Lt. Beige |
| V | 1729-A | Yellow |
| X | 1632-A | Maroon Met. |
| Y | 1669-A | Med. Blue Met. |
| 5 | 1731-A | Dk. Turq. Met. |
| Code | Trim Schemes |
| 03 | Green Vinyl |
| 04 | Beige Vinyl |
| 12 | Blue and Lt. Blue Met. Fabric & Vinyl |
| 15 | Red Fabric & Vinyl |
| 16 | Black Fabric & Vinyl |
| 17 | Turquoise and Lt. Turq. Met. Fabric & Vinyl |
| 19 | Palomino and Med. Palomino Fabric & Vinyl |
| D6 | White Pearl (w/Black) Vinyl |
| 22 | Lt. Blue Met. Vinyl |
| 25 | Red Vinyl |
| 26 | Black Vinyl |
| 29 | Med. Palomino Vinyl |
| 32 | Blue and Blue Met. Vinyl |
| 33 | Burgundy Vinyl |
| 35 | Red Vinyl |
| 36 | Black Vinyl |
| 37 | Turquoise and Turq. Met. Vinyl |
| 38 | Ivy Gold and Lt. Ivy Gold Vinyl |
| 39 | Palomino and Med. Palomino Vinyl |
| E2 | White Pearl (w/Blue) Vinyl |
| E3 | White Pearl (w/Burgundy) Vinyl |
| E5 | White Pearl (w/Red) Vinyl |
| E6 | White Pearl (w/Black) Vinyl |
| E7 | White Pearl (w/Turq.) Vinyl |
| E8 | White Pearl (w/Ivy Gold) Vinyl |
| E9 | White Pearl (w/Palomino) Vinyl |
| 42 | Med. Blue Met. Vinyl |
| 45 | Red Vinyl |
| 46 | Black Vinyl |
| 47 | Turquoise Vinyl |
| 48 | Lt. Ivy Gold D/L Vinyl |
| 49 | Lt. Palomino Vinyl |
| 52 | Blue and Blue Met. Fabric & Vinyl |
| 55 | Red Fabric & Vinyl |
| 56 | Black Fabric & Vinyl |
| 57 | Turquoise and Turq. Met. Fabric & Vinyl |
| 58 | Ivy Gold Fabric & Vinyl |
| 59 | Palomino and Med. Palomino Fabric & Vinyl |
| F6 | White (w/Black) Vinyl |
| 62 | Blue Met. and Lt. Blue Met. Vinyl |
| 65 | Red Vinyl |
| 66 | Black Vinyl |
| 67 | Med. Turq. and Lt. Turq. Vinyl |
| 68 | Lt. Ivy Gold Vinyl |
| 69 | Med. Palomino Vinyl |
| G2 | White Pearl (w/Blue) Vinyl |
| L2 | White Pearl (w/Blue)with Headrest Vinyl |
| G3 | White Pearl (w/Burgundy)with Headrest Vinyl |
| L3 | White Pearl (w/Burgundy)with Headrest Vinyl |
| G5 | White Pearl (w/Red) Vinyl |
| L5 | White Pearl (w/Red)with Headrest Vinyl |
| G6 | White Pearl (w/Black) Vinyl |
| L6 | White Pearl (w/Black)with Headrest Vinyl |
| G7 | White Pearl (w/Turq.) Vinyl |
| L7 | White Pearl (w/Turq.)with Headrest Vinyl |
| G8 | White Pearl (w/Ivy Gold) Vinyl |
| L8 | White Pearl (w/Ivy Gold.)with Headrest Vinyl |
| G9 | White Pearl (w/Palomino) Vinyl |
| L9 | White Pearl (w/Palomino)with Headrest Vinyl |
| 72 | Med. Blue Met. Vinyl |
| K2 | Blue with Headrest Vinyl |
| 75 | Red Vinyl |
| K5 | Red with Headrest Vinyl |
| 76 | Black Vinyl |
| K6 | Black with Headrest Vinyl |
| 77 | Turquoise Vinyl |
| K7 | Turquoise with Headrest Vinyl |
| 78 | Lt. Ivy Gold D/L Vinyl |
| K8 | Ivy Gold with Headrest Vinyl |
| 79 | Med. Palomino Vinyl |
| K9 | Med. Palomino with Headrest Vinyl |
| M6 | White Pearl (w/Black) Vinyl |
| 82 | Lt. Blue Met. Vinyl |
| 85 | Red Vinyl |
| 86 | Black Vinyl |
| 87 | Turquoise Vinyl |
| 89 | Med. Palomino Vinyl |
| 92 | Lt. Blue Met. Vinyl (Mercury), Fabric & Vinyl (Ford) |
| 93 | Burgundy Fabric & Vinyl |
| 95 | Red Vinyl |
| 96 | Black Vinyl (Mercury), Fabric & Vinyl (Ford) |
| 97 | Turquoise Fabric & Vinyl |
| 99 | Med. Palomino Vinyl (Mercury), Fabric & Vinyl (Ford) |
| A9 | Palomino Fabric & Vinyl |
| P9 | Palomino with Headrest Fabric & Vinyl |
| B3 | Burgundy Leather |
| B9 | Med. Palomino Leather |
| C3 | Burgundy Leather |
| C9 | Med. Palomino Leather |
| Y5 | Red Vinyl |
| Y9 | Palomino Vinyl |
| Z6 | Black Vinyl |
| Z9 | Palomino Vinyl |
The code letters for the month are preceded by a numeral to show the day of the month when the car was completed. The second year code letters are to be used if the model production exceeds 12 months.
| Month | First Model Year | Second Model Year |
| January | A | N |
| February | B | P |
| March | C | Q |
| April | D | R |
| May | E | S |
| June | F | T |
| July | G | U |
| August | H | V |
| September | J | W |
| October | K | X |
| November | L | Y |
| December | M | Z |
Domestic Special Orders, Foreign Special Orders, Limited Production Options and Pre-Approved Special Orders have the complete order number recorded 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 regular production, only the District code number will appear.
Ford
| District Code | |
| Code | District |
| 11 | Boston |
| 12 | Buffalo |
| 13 | New York |
| 14 | Pittsburgh |
| 15 | Newark |
| 21 | Atlanta |
| 22 | Charlotte |
| 23 | Philadelphia |
| 24 | Jacksonville |
| 25 | Richmond |
| 26 | Washington |
| 31 | Cincinnati |
| 32 | Cleveland |
| 33 | Detroit |
| 34 | Indianapolis |
| 35 | Lansing |
| 36 | Louisville |
| 41 | Chicago |
| 42 | Fargo |
| 43 | Rockford |
| 44 | Twin Cities |
| 45 | Davenport |
| 51 | Denver |
| 52 | Des Moines |
| 53 | Kansas City |
| 54 | Omaha |
| 55 | St. Louis |
| 61 | Dallas |
| 62 | Houston |
| 63 | Memphis |
| 64 | New Orleans |
| 65 | Oklahoma City |
| 71 | Los Angeles |
| 72 | San Jose |
| 73 | Salt Lake City |
| 74 | Seattle |
| 81 | Ford of Canada |
| 83 | Government |
| 84 | Home Office Reserve |
| 85 | American Red Cross |
| 89 | Transportation Services |
| 90 | Export |
Mercury
| District Code | |
| Code | District |
| 11 | Boston |
| 15 | New York |
| 16 | Philadelphia |
| 17 | Washington |
| 21 | Atlanta |
| 22 | Dallas |
| 23 | Jacksonville |
| 26 | Memphis |
| 31 | Buffalo |
| 32 | Cincinnati |
| 33 | Cleveland |
| 34 | Detroit |
| 41 | Chicago |
| 42 | St. Louis |
| 51 | Denver |
| 52 | Los Angeles |
| 53 | Oakland |
| 54 | Seattle |
| 81 | Ford of Canada |
| 84 | Home Office Reserve |
| 90-99 | Export |
A number designates a conventional axle, while a letter designates an Equa-Lock differential.
| Code | Ratio | Code | Ratio |
| 1 | 3.00:1 | A | 3.00:1 |
| 4 | 3.25:1 | E | 3.25:1 |
| 5 | 3.50:1 | F | 3.50:1 |
| 8 | 3.89:1 | H | 3.89:1 |
| 9 | 4.11:1 | I | 4.11:1 |
| 1 | 3-Speed Manual-Shift |
| 2 | Overdrive |
| 4 | Cruis-O-Matic (Ford) Multi-Drive (Mercury) |
| 5 | 4-Speed Manual-Shift |
| 6 | C-4 Automatic Dual Range |
The numeral "5" designates 1965.
| Code Letter | Assembly Plant |
| A | Atlanta |
| D | Dallas |
| E | Mahwah |
| F | Dearborn |
| G | Chicago |
| H | Lorain |
| J | Los Angeles |
| K | Kansas City |
| L | Michigan Truck |
| N | Norfolk |
| P | Twin Cities |
| R | San Jose |
| S | Pilot Plant |
| T | Metuchen |
| U | Louisville |
| W | Wayne |
| Y | Wixom |
| Z | St. Louis |
| Code | Engine |
| C | 8-Cylinder 289 Cubic Inch (4V Prem.) |
| H | 8-Cylinder 390 Cubic Inch (2V Spec.) |
| L | 8-Cylinder 427 Cubic Inch (4V Oh Cam) |
| M | 8-Cylinder 427 Cubic Inch (8V Oh Cam) |
| P | 8-Cylinder 390 Cubic Inch (4V Spec.) |
| R | 8-Cylinder 427 Cubic Inch (8V Hi Pref.) |
| V | 6-Cylinder 240 Cubic Inch (1V) |
| X | 8-Cylinder 352 Cubic Inch (4V) |
| Y | 8-Cylinder 390 Cubic Inch (2V) |
| Z | 8-Cylinder 390 Cubic Inch (4V) |
| 5 | 6-Cylinder *240 Cubic Inch (1V) |
| 3 | 8-Cylinder *289 Cubic Inch (4V) |
| 9 | 8-Cylinder *390 Cubic Inch (4V) |
Each assembly plant, with each model year, begins with consecutive unit number 100001 (Ford) or 500001 (Mercury) and continues on for each unit built.
Data taken from "1965 Ford and Mercury Shop Manual"