How to det Auth of a 64 Fairlane "K" code

caharmon_old · July 10, 2007 at 1:16 AM

Hi:

I'm new so please bear with me.

As I said in my one previous post, I have been an "FE" driver in the past. However, lately I have begun to very seriously consider buying a HIPO fastback, preferably a 67. In my deliberations though, I stumbled across two "K" code derivatives that I think I should consider as possible contenders.

I found a 1964 "K" code Fairlane on line. The seller claims that it is a factory car, and from the photo's, at least cosmetically, it seems like it is. I have to call him and ask for the vin number. Assuming it is in fact a factory hipo car where, in the vin, should the "K" be located?

I also saw a very nice 66 cyclone on the same web site. This car is also supposed to be a factory hipo car.

My questions here is, once again where in the vin will the K be? There seems to be some debate as to whether or not a mercury hipo car will have a "K" in the vin, and if it does, whether it is, in fact a factory hipo car.

This car also has a factory dual quad set up. Was this a factory, or dealer installed feature?

Thanks

Cliff

SixT5HiPo · July 10, 2007 at 10:17 PM

Quote

Hi:
I'm new so please bear with me.

I found a 1964 "K" code Fairlane on line...Assuming it is in fact a factory hipo car where, in the vin, should the "K" be located?

The FIFTH character in the VIN denotes the original engine that came with the car, and the SECOND character denotes the assembly plant that built the car. Ford built Fairlanes in several assembly plants in 1964, and each plant has a unique letter code in the VIN. ALL Fairlanes built at the Kansas City Assembly Plant will have a K in the second character of the VIN. This means a 1964 HiPo Fairlane built at Kansas City will actually have two K's in the VIN. For example 4K47Kxxxxxx denotes a Fairlane Sports Coupe with a HiPo 289 built at the Kansas City Plant.

Remember, the door Warranty Plates can be swapped and/or reproduced. Beware if the Warranty Plate on the door looks new. The inner front fender on the unibody is also stamped with the VIN, and this is harder to "swap" than a door plate is.

Quote from caharmon

I also saw a very nice 66 cyclone on the same web site. This car is also supposed to be a factory hipo car.

My questions here is, once again where in the vin will the K be?

The K code 289 HiPo engine was NOT available on any Comet or Fairlane in 1966. The "HiPo" Comets and Fairlanes came with F-E big blocks, with the majority having the 390 4V option.

Quote

There seems to be some debate as to whether or not a Mercury hipo car will have a "K" in the VIN, and if it does, whether it is, in fact a factory hipo car.

The fact is that Comet used the "K" in the VIN for one year on the 1964 models to denote the low compression 4V 289 that is basically equal to the "D" code Mustangs from 1964 1/2. It is not a 289 HiPo.

Quote from caharmon

This car also has a factory dual quad set up. Was this a factory, or dealer installed feature?

In 1966, the factory installed dual quads on an extremely low number of Fairlanes with the 427 engine. This is designated as the "R" code in the VIN. I'm not so sure Mercury had the "R" code available in 1966, but I've seen several 1967 Comets with the factory dual quad "R" code 427 option. There was also a single quad 427 option designated with a "W" code. Either way, these cars are very rare! If the car has a 289 engine with dual quads, this was added after the car left the assembly line.

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