1966 Mustang Convertible

[Marcus]

ALL: I recently purchased a '66 Mustang Convertible, 6 cylinder. I have been told by a friend that I have a "Sprint" series car - and this means nothing to me. Can anyone suggest where I might learn more, or better yet, just tell me what a "Sprint" series means??
The specifications: 6 Cylinder (200 CI, I think); C4 Auto, AC, PS and no PB, Power Top. The car has a "funny" looking chrome air cleaner (funny in that it is dome shaped and I've never seen one like it), and there is no chrome side markers in the cove - if this makes sense: I think they are called "tri-bar."
I would post pictures, but I've had no success..........
Thanks in advance.

[dmsfrr]

A couple quick google search links...

"Sprint 200s did not feature 3-prong Tri-bar side mouldings, like those found on other 1966 Mustangs."
https://www.thoughtco.com/1966-ford-...nt-200-2464599

https://www.cjponyparts.com/variants...dition-mustang

https://www.google.com/search?q=1966...nt=firefox-b-1

[Marcus]

Dmsfrr: Thank you for those links; I discovered a few more after those, and now I remain convinced that this, indeed, is a Sprint-Optioned car. It is exactly as described to include the interior with console and the Safety or Convenience Group Package. The lady from whom in purchased the car stated that she did not like the "body stripe" and had it removed when the car was repainted. Don't know what this means to anyone but me, but interesting, nevertheless. Perhaps a mystery solved! Thank you.

[scicala]

Would love to see a picture of that chromed air cleaner to see if it was the same as the standard 6 cyl, and just chrome plated ? The description above almost makes it sound like the top of a '57 T-Bird air cleaner.


Sal

[Herman Munster]

No, it looks like the regular 6 cylinder air cleaner of that year except that was chromed.

[scicala]

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Thank you Herman.


Sal

[Herman Munster]

Any time Sal.

[Marcus]

Well, wish I could get pictures to post: mine looks nothing like that, so I wonder just what it is. It is just a dome-shaped chrome cleaner ( that really requires some elbow-grease attention!)..... Perhaps aftermarket, although I've never seen one like it before .... Again, meaning nothing. Everything still points toward the Sprint.....I'll keep trying the pictures, as time permits.

[40cpe]

Marcus, send them to me and I'll post them, or try

[email protected]

[Marcus]

Thanks, Gene: I'll forward them tomorrow when I get to the office; however, I guess my stupidity will show! Wiped the air cleaner down to take the pictures, and discovered a "Sprint" decal on it - faded and partially missing, but clear enough! This one, however, has no air horn, so sometime this week I'll pull it off and try to determine what that is all about. I ran my hand around the top, and could not feel a place for one - but there must be some way for air to get inside......the mystery (to me!) continues!

[5851a]

A friend has a 66 with the sprint air cleaner without snorkel. It looks like yours and I believe the chrome cover is larger than the base and sucks the air around the bottom edge as the base and element is smaller than the top cover. Could be wrong many years have went by.

[KULTULZ]

These photos are of a 66, but 65 was basically the same-

1966 SPRINT w/CLOSED ACL





1966 SPRINT w/ OPEN ACL

[Herman Munster]

I wonder why the differences in the air cleaners?

[40cpe]

Marcus's pictures attached. Marcus, there were six attachments, but three of them were blank.

[scicala]

If I were to guess I would say they changed during the model year for maybe the reason that the one without the snorkel inlet would pull in some hot air from the exhaust manifold side of the engine, where the one with the snorkel just pulled in cooler air from the driver's side of the engine.


Sal

[Herman Munster]

Originally Posted by scicala

If I were to guess I would say they changed during the model year for maybe the reason that the one without the snorkel inlet would pull in some hot air from the exhaust manifold side of the engine, where the one with the snorkel just pulled in cooler air from the driver's side of the engine.


Sal

That makes sense.

[Marcus]

Gentlemen:Thank you for posting; and thank you for the educational comments. Never a dull moment with these toys! Now, I just need to have the time to make the engine bay look as good as the pictures posted by Kultulz. And that will be.........??
HUGE GRIN!

[KULTULZ]

BTW-


The ACL DECAL is available repro.

[Marcus]

Yep - I have two other Mustangs, one 68 GT Convertible and the other is the Truckstang (google it - It is the 90 Mustang converted to a PU, not the Ranger with a Mustang front clip - I have an extensive magazine history with it and for what it is worth, I also own the copyright to the name "Truckstang"): I think you could literally build any Mustang you fancy from repro parts! This my first experience with a six cylinder, however, hence the fascination in discovering something a bit different. Thank you again for all the guidance and assistance.