Free 1987 Ford Mustang VIN Decoder

How to decode a 1987 Ford Mustang VIN

Characters 1-3 of a 1987 Ford Mustang VIN

A World Manufacturer Identifier (WMI) is a unique code that identifies every vehicle manufacturer around the globe. For example, Ford Motor Company, the manufacturer of the 1987 Ford Mustang, uses the WMI “1FA” to denote vehicles made in the United States, specifically in Dearborn, Michigan. This code is the initial part of the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN), which gives detailed information about the vehicle, including its model year, manufacturing plant, and specific attributes. The WMI is crucial for vehicle tracking, registration, and recall purposes. It provides a standardized method to quickly identify the vehicle’s manufacturer and country of origin, ensuring uniformity across the automotive industry.

List of WMI Codes for a 1987 Ford Mustang

WMI: 1FA

• Model Years Covered: 1981-2004, 2015-2024
• Example VIN: 1FABP42E0HF136535
• Manufacturer Name: Ford Motor Company
• Vehicle Type: Passenger Car
• City: Dearborn
• State or Province: Michigan
• Country: United States

Characters 4-8 are the Vehicle Descriptor Section (VDS) of a 1987 Ford Mustang VIN

These characters correspond to components like:

• Engine type
• Transmission
• Model or trim
• Body style
• Gross vehicle weight range

Below find the known vehicle descriptor codes for a 1987 Ford Mustang:

Auto manufacturers have some discretion to decide how they want to code this section, but its contents and decoded results are generally consistent.

Character 9 is the “check digit” in a 1987 Ford Mustang VIN.

Based on a formula developed by the US Department of Transportation, it helps reduce fraud by ensuring the validity of the VIN.

10th Character in the 1987 Ford Mustang VIN — Year Code

11th Character in the 1987 Ford Mustang VIN — Plant Code(s)

Known 1987 Ford Mustang Assembly Factory VIN Code(s)

VIN Characters 12 - 17 of a 1987 Ford Mustang

The final 6 characters in a 1987 Ford Mustang’s 17-digit VIN are its serial number, which will be unique to every vehicle.

What info can a 1987 Ford Mustang VIN reveal?

• Model Year: The VIN can reveal the vehicle’s model year, potentially as specific as 1987, offering insights into the age and potential market value of the vehicle.
• Vehicle Type and Body Class: Information regarding the vehicle type and body class can be uncovered from the VIN, such as a “Passenger Car” with a “Convertible/Cabriolet” body, providing detailed insights into the vehicle’s design and structure.
• Engine Specifications: The VIN encodes detailed engine specifics, including a V-Shaped engine configuration, an engine displacement of 5.0 liters (302 cubic inches), and a horsepower rating starting from 225 hp. Additionally, the engine supports electronic fuel injection and is identified as a high output engine, offering valuable insights into the vehicle’s performance and power.
• Fuel Type: The primary fuel type used by the vehicle, in this case, Gasoline, can be determined, contributing to a better understanding of the vehicle’s fuel efficiency and environmental impact.
• Manufacturing Information: The VIN provides insights into the manufacturing location, indicating that the vehicle was manufactured in Dearborn, Michigan, United States, which could offer historical and geographical context regarding the vehicle’s production.
• Safety Features: Basic safety equipment, such as the type of seat belts, which are manual in this example, can be inferred, providing potential insights into the vehicle’s safety standards and features.
• Vehicle Make and Model: The vehicle’s make and model are specified directly, with this example being a Ford Mustang LX, offering clear and specific identification of the vehicle.

Sample VIN Decode Report for a 1987 Ford Mustang

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