Hi Marks 1,
Yes, interesting indeed. For your reference, 1972 and 1973 interior trim codes did vary a lot. 1972 offered up a lot more trim code options than 1973.
In regards my '73 Vert, the factory trim code is CW, which incorporates both Corinthian and Ruffino vinyls. These two vinyls were indeed offered up to the buyng public for the 1973 model range. As i said above, on careful examination of my removed original factory front seat upholstery, there appears to be no pearl effect finish going on at all, just a solid color cream. That includes hidden parts of the seat, like under the seat, that were never on show, and never copped the sun of adverse weather conditions to age or change the appearance of the vinyl over the decades. My 1973 listing goes like this ......................
| CW | White Corinthian Vinyl | White Ruffino Knitted Vinyl | Decor Group |
In regards your '72 Vert, you would first need to pull an interior trim code for your car specifically. Would it be CW? You mention you have White Knit Vinyl seats. Would that be a White Clarion Knit and a White Corinthian combo Vinyl for example? I will give you a link to a great reference site provided by C J Pony Parts, listing all the interior trim codes for all years of the 1st generation Mustangs. You can scroll down the list till you get to listings for the '72 and '73 interior trim codes. If you apply your own 1972 trim code, and cross reference it to the 1972 listings, you should be able to accurately identify exactly what your vinyl is officially called. I looked into the 1972 listings myself and found a trim code CW FOR 1972 Mustangs. Interestingly, it describes this code as .........
| CW | White Corinthian Vinyl | White Clarion Knit | Convertible Option
ComfortWeave
Black Appointments |
This shows for example, that the same code CW, appears for both years of '72 and '73, but the vinyls and options are different. That might be where the confusion lies.
Lastly, you mention above that your original seats have that pearl sheen look to them. I find that interesting as well, and that seems like somewhat of a mystery to me. All i can say is that mine don't. Maybe back in the day, there were variations in the bulk vinyls that were supplied to the Ford plants. Don from Ohio Mustang, did mention to me some time back, that during the year of 1973, there was a fire in one of the vinyl supply plants, and it wiped out their supply of certain vinyls ready to be installed in the '73 Mustangs. He said that Ford had to out source new supplies of vinyls to continue and finish off production of the '73's. That might have had something to do with my upholstery being what it is - i don't know.
In any case, the bottom line for me, is that i ordered 1973 CW trim code, which is the white colored Corinthian and Ruffino vinyls combo from TMI, and they supplied me with a good color match to my old factory vinyl, but in my case, it also comes with this pearl sheen effect to it, which my original factory vinyl does not have. That's all i know. The difference between old and new is subtle. I can and i will live with that for now.
Your C J Pony reference ..............................................................
[URL unfurl="true"]https://www.cjponyparts.com/resources/first-generation-mustang-interior-codes#1973[/URL]
Cheers,
Greg.
