Factory paint code chart by model year
Use these tables to cross-reference Generation 2 Mustang door tags, build sheets, and restorer formulas. Color ovals use factory-reference hex values aligned with published Mustang color databases (paintref / MustangSpecs lineage). Always verify with a spray-out panel before committing to a full respray.
1965 Model Year
| # | Color name | Ford code | Color swatch | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Bright Yellow | 6E |
#F3D54E
|
— |
1974 Model Year
| # | Color name | Ford code | Color swatch | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | White | 9A |
#fcfce5
|
— |
| 2 | Black | 1C |
#000000
|
— |
| 3 | Bright Red | 2B |
#cd0917
|
— |
| 4 | Medium Dark Ginger Metallic | 5H |
#917c60
|
— |
| 5 | Medium Lime Metallic | 4F |
#6F8B66
|
— |
| 6 | Saddle Bronze Metallic | 5T |
#aa7546
|
— |
| 7 | Silver Metallic | 1G |
#848790
|
— |
| 8 | Medium Bright Blue Metallic | 3N |
#4c98b7
|
— |
| 9 | Pearl Yellow | 6C |
#af7921
|
— |
| 10 | Dark Green Metallic | 4Q |
#243710
|
— |
1975 Model Year
| # | Color name | Ford code | Color swatch | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Polar White | 9A |
#F8F9FA
|
— |
| 2 | Black | 1C |
#000000
|
— |
| 3 | Bright Red | 2B |
#d00b19
|
— |
| 4 | Silver Metallic | 1G |
#7c7f88
|
— |
| 5 | Medium Blue Metallic | 3G |
#3B6E9C
|
— |
| 6 | Dark Soft Gold Metallic | 5K |
#A08658
|
— |
| 7 | Medium Chestnut Metallic | 5M |
#9a5531
|
— |
| 8 | Medium Green Metallic | 4P |
#416047
|
— |
1976 Model Year
| # | Color name | Ford code | Color swatch | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Polar White | 9A |
#F8F9FA
|
— |
| 2 | Black | 1C |
#000000
|
— |
| 3 | Bright Red | 2B |
#d00b19
|
Often paired with Cobra II layouts |
| 4 | Silver Metallic | 1G |
#81848d
|
— |
| 5 | Starlight Blue Metallic | 3G |
#203A5E
|
— |
| 6 | Bright Yellow | 6E |
#e1c645
|
Popular Cobra II base option |
| 7 | Dark Brown Metallic | 5Q |
#33210d
|
— |
| 8 | Medium Gold Metallic | 6M |
#B89B5E
|
— |
1977 Model Year
| # | Color name | Ford code | Color swatch | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Polar White | 9A |
#F8F9FA
|
— |
| 2 | Black | 1C |
#000000
|
— |
| 3 | Bright Red | 2B |
#D11A2A
|
— |
| 4 | Silver Metallic | 1G |
#80838c
|
— |
| 5 | Light Chamois | 83 |
#f5d5ab
|
— |
| 6 | Dark Jade Metallic | 46 |
#11372f
|
— |
| 7 | Medium Aqua Metallic | 7Y |
#4E8B8B
|
— |
| 8 | Tan | 5A |
#A38A67
|
— |
1978 Model Year
| # | Color name | Ford code | Color swatch | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Polar White | 9A |
#F8F9FA
|
— |
| 2 | Black | 1C |
#000000
|
Crucial for King Cobra variants |
| 3 | Bright Red | 2B |
#D11A2A
|
— |
| 4 | Silver Metallic | 1G |
#81848d
|
— |
| 5 | Bright Yellow | 6E |
#e0c544
|
— |
| 6 | Chamois | 83 |
#f5d5ab
|
— |
| 7 | Dark Midnight Blue Metallic | 3L |
#1B263B
|
— |
| 8 | Light Blue | 3B |
#89AEC4
|
— |
| 9 | Mandarin Orange | 5D |
#E66E33
|
Rare late Gen 2 accent paint |
Where to find Generation 2 Mustang paint codes
Exterior color on a 1974–1978 Mustang II hatchback, coupe, and Ghia is documented separately from interior trim codes. Check these locations before ordering paint:
- Driver-side door jamb Motorcraft warranty / safety certification label — paint code is a two-character alphanumeric (e.g., 9A = white, 2B = bright red).
- Secondary confirmation on the VIN door tag: trim code is separate; do not confuse interior trim numbers with exterior paint.
- Build sheet or dealer invoice if preserved — Mustang II orders often list paint by name and code.
- Fuel door, hatch gutters, and engine bay — original overspray on low-mile cars when exterior was repainted.
Official Ford guidance for modern vehicles also applies to decoding labels: see Ford's paint code help page for label reading tips.
How many colors were available?
Generation 2 Mustangs (1974–1978) carried a smaller or larger palette depending on emissions rules, market trends, and body style. In this database, 6 model years are represented with an average of about 7 listed factory colors per year. Peak availability in our table is 1974 with 10 listed colors — always confirm rare codes with a Marti Report or build sheet on classic cars.
Factory paint specifications
Original Mustang II (1974–1978) finishes differ from modern base/clear systems. Use this outline when briefing a body shop or judging an original car.
| Factory system | Acrylic enamel, single-stage throughout Mustang II production — no factory clearcoat. |
|---|---|
| Primary refinish brands | Ford Motorcraft refinish, Ditzler (PPG), DuPont — sold through Ford body shops. |
| Finish type | Solid and metallic enamels; metallics use fine aluminum flake (silver, gold, bronze tones). |
| Typical mixing (shop) | Enamel base + activator/hardener; reducer for spray viscosity. Mix ratios per brand tech sheet (often 4:1:1 base:activator:reducer). |
| Colorants / dyes | Organic reds and yellows (Bright Red 2B, Bright Yellow 6E); metallics use stabilized aluminum paste; earth tones from iron oxide. |
| Factory film build | Approx. 4–6 mils — slightly heavier than 1960s lacquer as enamel build standards changed. |
| Modern equivalent | PPG, Axalta, and SEM publish Mustang II-era formulas; King Cobra graphics are decal/stripe packages — verify base color separately. |
Recommended total paint thickness
| Factory original (single-stage era) | About 3–6 mils (0.003–0.006 in) total — thin by modern show standards |
|---|---|
| Acceptable restoration target | 4–7 mils single-stage for driver cars; match surrounding originals when blending |
| Modern base/clear show build | 6–10 mils total — thicker than factory; disclose if judging for originality |
| Measurement method | Use a magnetic or ultrasonic dry-film gauge on flat panels (hood, roof, door) — not on body filler |
Surface prep tips for Generation 2 resprays
Mind thin Mustang II panels during media blast
Second-gen unibody panels are lighter than 1960s sheetmetal. Lower blast pressure and avoid prolonged heat on hood and roof skins to prevent warping.
Separate paint code from Cobra stripe packages
A 1978 King Cobra in Black (1C) wears gold snake graphics that are not part of the paint code. Document base color from the door tag before ordering stripe kits.
What did a factory paint job cost then vs today?
Dealer and factory pricing is inflation-adjusted below for planning — not a quote from any specific shop.
| 1974 optional metallic paint | About $90–$130 above base on a Mustang II coupe. |
|---|---|
| 1976 Cobra II appearance package | Graphics added $250–$350 on top of base paint color (stripes not a separate paint code). |
| 1978 dealer respray | About $350–$550 full car in period enamel (1978 labor rates). |
| Driver respray (2025) | $3,800–$7,000 — smaller surface area than first-gen but similar prep cost. |
| Cobra II / King Cobra tribute (2025) | $8,000–$14,000 — correct color plus stripe/decal layout. |
| Show restoration (2025) | $15,000–$28,000 — jambs, engine bay, and verified 2-digit code match. |
Verified external resources
Frequently asked questions
Where is the paint code on a Mustang II?
On the driver door jamb certification label. Look for the two-character exterior paint code (examples: 9A Polar White, 2B Bright Red, 6E Bright Yellow on Cobra II cars).
How many colors were available on a 1976 Mustang II?
This database lists eight exterior colors for 1976, including popular Cobra II choices Bright Red (2B) and Bright Yellow (6E). Palettes were smaller than 1960s muscle-car years due to emissions and market shifts.
Is Bright Yellow 6E the same as Grabber Yellow?
No. Grabber Yellow is a first-generation Grabber color family (1970 code D). Mustang II Bright Yellow uses code 6E — a different formula and era. Always match by year and code.
What paint did Ford use on Mustang II?
Acrylic enamel single-stage from the factory. Plan for enamel or modern single-stage equivalents rather than high-build base/clear unless you accept a non-factory gloss profile.
What is the rarest 1978 Mustang II color here?
Mandarin Orange (5D) is listed as a rare late Gen 2 accent in our data — low production compared to Polar White (9A) and Bright Red (2B).
Other Mustang generations
Each generation uses different code formats and paint chemistry. Jump to the correct chart to avoid mixing Fox-body codes with muscle-car letters or Mustang II two-digit labels.
Generation 1
1964–1973 · Classic muscle car (1964½–1973)
Generation 2
1974–1978 · Mustang II (1974–1978)
Generation 3
1979–1993 · Fox-body (1979–1993)
Generation 4
1994–2004 · SN95 / New Edge (1994–2004)
Generation 5
2005–2014 · S197 (2005–2014)
Generation 6
2015–2023 · S550 (2015–2023)
Generation 7
2024–2026 · S650 (2024–2026)