Marti Report
A production history report from Kevin Marti Auto Works that provides Ford's original factory build sheet data for your specific Mustang — every option, color code, axle ratio, and build date, straight from Ford's manufacturing records. Also: the $40 document that either confirms you bought a legitimate rare Mustang or reveals you overpaid $50,000 for a base model with a convincing story.
What 'Marti Report' Actually Means
The Marti Report is an official Ford production verification document produced by Kevin Marti at Marti Auto Works in Scottsdale, Arizona. Kevin obtained Ford's complete manufacturing records for 1967–1973 Mustangs (and other Ford/Mercury/Lincoln models) and has been generating reports since the early 1990s.
The short version: You give Kevin your VIN. He tells you exactly what Ford built. $40–$75. Best money you'll spend on any Mustang transaction over $10,000.
How Kevin Marti got the data:
Ford's manufacturing records were scheduled for destruction in the early 1990s. Kevin Marti negotiated to preserve them, acquiring the rights to the 1967–1973 production database before it was lost. For earlier years (1964½–1966), the data is more limited — Marti can confirm basic build information but the comprehensive option lists that make later reports so valuable may be incomplete. For 1967–1973 Mustangs, if Ford built it, Kevin has it.
Ordering a Marti Report:
- Locate your VIN on the driver's door jamb or dash tag
- Identify the model year
- Go to MartiAuto.com
- Enter your VIN and vehicle information
- Select your report type (Basic, Deluxe, or Elite)
- Pay online
- Receive your report by email (1–2 weeks standard; rush options available)
The three report types:
- Basic Report ($30): Confirms VIN, original paint code, engine, and transmission. Proof the car exists in the Ford database. Useful for quick pre-purchase verification.
- Deluxe Report ($40–$50): Full option list, DSO number, build date, production statistics (how many built with your configuration), and original dealer information. This is what most buyers order and what most sellers should have.
- Elite Marti Report ($60–$75): Everything in Deluxe plus enhanced visual presentation, additional production detail, and period photographs of similar cars. Standard for concours judging, insurance documentation, and high-value sales.
Reading the report — field by field:
VIN Confirmation and Decode: The report begins with VIN verification. A 1967–1973 Mustang VIN encodes the year, assembly plant, body style, engine code, and sequential production number. The Marti Report confirms this number appears in Ford's records — a VIN not found is an immediate red flag.
DSO (Domestic Special Order): The DSO is the dealer order number and district code. It identifies the Ford dealership that ordered your car and which geographic sales district they operated in. This tells you the car's original delivery region — whether it lived its first years in the California sunshine or the Ohio salt belt. DSO also flags cars that were special dealer orders with non-standard option combinations.
Body, Paint, and Exterior: - Exterior paint code (e.g., W = Wimbledon White, J = Grabber Orange, 6 = Mariner Aqua) - Vinyl top color and material, if ordered - Stripe option, if factory-installed - Two-tone paint combination, if applicable
Interior: - Seat type (standard bucket, Comfortweave, Mach 1 high-back) - Interior color code and trim material - Console (whether factory ordered) - Instrumentation package (standard gauges vs. GT instrumentation) - Fold-down rear seat, if applicable
Engine and Drivetrain: - Engine code and displacement (e.g., F = 302 2V, J = Boss 302, Q = 428 Cobra Jet, R = 428 Super Cobra Jet) - Transmission type (C4 automatic, FMX automatic, 3-speed manual, 4-speed close-ratio, 4-speed wide-ratio Toploader) - Axle ratio (e.g., 2.75:1, 3.00:1, 3.25:1, 3.50:1, 4.11:1 with Drag Pack) - Traction-Lok limited slip differential (vs. open differential)
Factory Options List: This is the heart of the report for valuation purposes. Every factory-installed option is listed with its code and description. You'll know definitively whether the car had: - Air conditioning (factory-installed vs. dealer-added) - Power steering and power disc brakes - AM, AM/FM, or AM/8-track radio - GT package (performance suspension, fog lights, GT badging) - Competition Handling Package - Tinted glass and rear window defrost - Styled Steel or Magnum 500 wheels - Sports Slats (rear window louvers) - Visibility, Decor, or Interior Decor Group packages
Assembly and Production Data: - Assembly plant: Dearborn, Michigan; San Jose, California; or Metuchen, New Jersey - Build date: the actual calendar date the car was assembled, not just the model year - Scheduled production week - Sequential production number
Production Rarity Statistics: The Deluxe and Elite reports include statistics showing how many Mustangs were built with your exact combination of engine, transmission, color, and key options. When your report says '1 of 247 built with this configuration,' that number is specific to your build. For rare models — Boss 302, Boss 429, 428 Cobra Jet, documented Shelbys — rarity statistics are the foundation of every serious valuation conversation.
What the Marti Report does NOT tell you:
The report shows what Ford built at the factory. It does not show: - What the car looks like today - Whether the original engine is still in the car (requires physical block stamping verification) - Whether the VIN plate has been fraudulently swapped (requires physical inspection) - Accident history or title records - Any modifications made after the car left the factory
A car can have a perfect Marti Report and still be a rust bucket with a swapped engine. The Marti Report is the start of authentication — not the end of it.
Why It Matters for Your Mustang
The Marti Report is the $40–$75 document that protects $20,000–$100,000 in classic Mustang transactions. Here is what it actually does for you:
Authentication — before you buy:
Classic Mustang fraud is real and consistent. VIN plate swapping — moving a legitimate dash tag from a junked base model onto a replicated rare car — is the most common form. Fake Shelby clones, fraudulent Boss 302s, and K-code imposters appear at auctions and private sales every year. A Marti Report cannot prove the VIN plate was never swapped (that requires physical inspection of the frame stampings and broadcast sheet), but it confirms the VIN number corresponds to a real Ford production unit with the claimed configuration. Combined with physical inspection, the Marti Report is the first line of authentication defense.
Valuation — before you price:
Hagerty, Barrett-Jackson, Mecum, and every serious collector use production rarity to set values. A 1969 Mach 1 with a 351W 2V is a nice car — worth $30,000–$45,000 in good condition. A 1969 Mach 1 documented as a 428 Cobra Jet, Drag Pack, Traction-Lok car is worth $70,000–$120,000. The difference is documentation. The Marti Report provides that documentation.
Restoration accuracy — original spec reference:
If you are restoring a Mustang to factory-correct original spec, you need the original spec. Paint color codes matter — there are a dozen shades of period-correct Mustang blue spread across 1964–1973, and 'it looks blue' is not a restoration target. Interior codes specify exact upholstery materials. Option codes determine what components belong on the car. The Marti Report gives you the authoritative factory reference for every restoration decision.
Insurance — agreed value documentation:
Insurers who write agreed-value classic car policies (Hagerty, American Collectors, Classic Auto Insurance) require documentation for premium coverage. A Marti Report showing a rare, high-option configuration directly supports a higher agreed value than a car without documentation. For a $60,000 Mustang, the $40–$75 Marti Report is the cheapest insurance-related expenditure in your budget.
Concours judging — required documentation:
Mustang Club of America (MCA) Gold judging requires factory verification. Judges compare your car's configuration against the Marti Report. A car claiming factory Wimbledon White in a non-original color will not score. A car claiming factory A/C that the Marti Report shows was not ordered will not score. The Marti Report defines the target for concours-level restoration.
The LA context:
In Los Angeles, where high-value show cars and six-figure restorations are common, a Marti Report is expected for any transaction over $30,000. When a shop in LA quotes a concours restoration, the first question is always 'do you have a Marti Report?' The report establishes the baseline: what the car was, so the restoration target is clear. Restoring without one means guessing at details that Ford documented in 1967.
Cost Impact
| Repair Type | Typical Cost (LA) | Labor Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Basic Report | $30 | VIN verification + paint/engine/trans codes only; 2–3 week turnaround |
| Deluxe Report | $40–$50 | Full build data, production statistics, DSO; 1–2 week turnaround |
| Elite Marti Report | $60–$75 | Maximum detail, enhanced presentation, period photos; for concours/insurance/sales |
| Value protected (fraud prevention) | Saves $20,000–$100,000+ | Prevents buying fraudulent or misrepresented rare Mustangs |
*Order the Deluxe Report ($40–$50) for most purposes. Elite ($60–$75) if you are preparing for concours judging or documenting a sale over $50,000. Never buy a claimed rare Mustang without one.
Ask me how I know these numbers.
Common Issues
VIN Not Found
Marti says VIN not in database — major red flag. Indicates possible fraud, swapped VIN plate, or misread VIN. Do not proceed with purchase without resolution.
Seller's Claims Don't Match
Seller says factory A/C, GT package, rare engine — Marti Report shows base model. Either fraud or ignorance. Either way, renegotiate or walk.
Report Shows Original vs. Current
Marti Report shows what Ford built, not the car's current state. A car may have had its original engine replaced 40 years ago and still have a clean report. Physical inspection is still required.
Numbers-Matching Not Proven by Report Alone
Marti Report confirms the original engine type but cannot verify the current engine is the original unit. Block stampings and date codes must be physically verified against the report.
Limited Data on Pre-1967 Cars
1964½–1966 Mustang records are less complete than 1967–1973. Basic data may be available but full option lists may be limited. Still worth ordering, but understand the limitations.
Turnaround Time
Standard turnaround is 1–2 weeks. Order before finalizing purchase negotiations, not after signing. Rush options are available but plan ahead.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a Marti Report?
A Marti Report is Ford's official production verification document for your specific Mustang, produced by Kevin Marti at Marti Auto Works. Using your VIN, Kevin accesses Ford's original manufacturing records to confirm the exact engine, transmission, paint code, interior, options, DSO, build date, and production statistics of your car as it left the factory. It covers 1967–1973 Mustangs comprehensively; earlier years have more limited data.
How much does a Marti Report cost?
Marti Reports range from $30 for a Basic report (VIN verification and core specs) to $40–$50 for the Deluxe report (full option list, production statistics, DSO — what most buyers order) to $60–$75 for the Elite report (maximum detail, suitable for concours and high-value sales). Order at MartiAuto.com.
How long does a Marti Report take?
Standard turnaround is 1–2 weeks. Rush options are available if you are under time pressure. The key advice: order before finalizing purchase negotiations, not after signing. You want the report in hand before you commit money, not after.
What years does a Marti Report cover?
Kevin Marti has comprehensive data for 1967–1973 Mustangs. Earlier years (1964½–1966) have more limited database coverage — basic build information may be available but the full option lists that make the report so valuable are often incomplete for first-generation cars. Marti also covers some 1967–1973 Ford, Mercury, and Lincoln models.
What does the DSO number mean on a Marti Report?
DSO stands for Domestic Special Order. It is the dealer and district code identifying the Ford dealership that ordered your car and which Ford sales district they were in. It effectively shows you where the car was originally sold — valuable for understanding whether a car spent its early years in a rust-belt state or in California. DSO also identifies cars that were custom dealer orders with non-standard option combinations.
Can a Marti Report prove my engine is the original?
No. A Marti Report confirms what engine type Ford installed at the factory, but it cannot verify whether the current engine in the car is the original unit. Confirming numbers-matching status requires physical inspection of the engine block stampings, which contain a partial VIN and date codes. Those stampings must be compared against the Marti Report's factory data. The report is the reference — physical inspection is the proof.
What if my VIN is not found in the Marti database?
A VIN not found in Marti's database is a serious red flag. For 1967–1973 Mustangs, a legitimate VIN should almost always appear. Not found may indicate a fraudulent or swapped VIN plate, a misread VIN character, or a rare database gap. Do not proceed with a purchase over $10,000 without resolving this. Have the VIN physically verified by a knowledgeable shop before signing anything.
Do I need a Marti Report if I already own the car?
Yes, especially if you don't have the original window sticker or broadcast sheet. The Marti Report gives you the car's original paint code, interior code, and factory options — the information you need to restore correctly. For a driver-quality restoration, the paint code alone is worth the $40. For a full frame-off restoration targeting factory-correct spec, the Marti Report is the authoritative reference document. Order it before you start making decisions about color and options.
What's the difference between a Deluxe and Elite Marti Report?
The Deluxe Report ($40–$50) includes all essential build data: full option list, DSO, build date, production statistics, and original dealer information. It is sufficient for most buyers and owners. The Elite Report ($60–$75) adds a more detailed and professional presentation, additional production context, and period photographs of similar factory cars. The Elite format is appropriate for concours judging documentation, insurance agreed-value support, or when presenting a car for high-value sale.
How do production statistics affect my Mustang's value?
Significantly. The Marti Deluxe Report shows how many Mustangs were built with your exact configuration — your specific engine, transmission, color, and key options combined. A car documented as '1 of 247' built with a rare option combination is provably more valuable than an identical-looking car with no documentation. Hagerty valuation guides, auction houses, and collectors all use production rarity data to justify price premiums. A $40 report can support a $20,000–$50,000 premium on a documented rare car.
See This in Action
- Classic Mustang Restoration Cost: $8K–$80K Real LA Price Guide
Understand the full cost of restoring your Mustang once the Marti Report tells you what you have.
- Classic Mustang Restoration Cost Guide — 1967 Mustang
Year-specific costs for 1967 Mustang restoration, the first year with comprehensive Marti Report coverage.
Want to Learn More?
Download the Mustang Restoration Starter Kit (LA Edition) for:
- Complete terminology reference guide
- Cost estimation worksheets
- Pre-purchase inspection checklist
- Shop interview questions
- Project timeline planning tools
No upsells. No bait-and-switch. Just the information Dorian wishes he'd had before he bought his first project car.