Free 1982 Ford Thunderbird VIN Decoder

How to decode a 1982 Ford Thunderbird VIN

Characters 1-3 of a 1982 Ford Thunderbird VIN

A World Manufacturer Identifier (WMI) is a unique code that identifies the manufacturer of a vehicle, providing specific details such as the country of manufacture, vehicle type, and the make. For a 1982 Ford Thunderbird, the WMI would denotate Ford Motor Company as the manufacturer, spotlighting this iconic model’s origins from Dearborn, Michigan, in the United States. This 3-character code, positioned at the beginning of the vehicle’s VIN (Vehicle Identification Number), not only affirms Ford as the maker but also classifies the vehicle as a passenger car. Understanding the WMI is essential for precise vehicle identification, showcasing how each part of the VIN holds valuable information about the car’s manufacturing background and specifics. Hence, for anyone researching or verifying the 1982 Ford Thunderbird, the WMI serves as a foundational key in tracing its lineage.

List of WMI Codes for a 1982 Ford Thunderbird

WMI: 1FA

• Model Years Covered: 1981-1997, 2002-2005
• Example VIN: 1FABP4239CH131250
• 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 1982 Ford Thunderbird 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 1982 Ford Thunderbird:

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 1982 Ford Thunderbird 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 1982 Ford Thunderbird VIN — Year Code

11th Character in the 1982 Ford Thunderbird VIN — Plant Code(s)

Known 1982 Ford Thunderbird Assembly Factory VIN Code(s)

VIN Characters 12 - 17 of a 1982 Ford Thunderbird

The final 6 characters in a 1982 Ford Thunderbird’s 17-digit VIN are its serial number, which will be unique to every vehicle.

What info can a 1982 Ford Thunderbird VIN reveal?

• Model Year: The VIN can reveal the vehicles model year being the year 1982, providing insights into the age and potential market value of the vehicle.
• Manufacturing Details: It often includes specifics about the manufacturing location, such as the plant city, state, and country - in this instance, there’s a chance that the 1982 Ford Thunderbird was manufactured in Lorain, Ohio, United States.
• Vehicle Specifications: The VIN provides detailed information about the vehicle’s specifications, such as the make being Ford, the model being Thunderbird, the body class being Sedan/Saloon, and the number of doors being 2.
• Engine Details: Insights into the engine’s characteristics, such as its configuration being V-Shaped, displacement at 3.8L or 232CI, and manufacturer by Ford may possibly be derived from a VIN.
• Fuel Type: The VIN can reveal the primary fuel type the vehicle uses, which, for this Ford Thunderbird, is possibly gasoline.
• Safety Features: VINs can give information about a vehicle’s safety systems, exemplified by the Thunderbird’s possible use of active belts.
• Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR): The VIN discloses the vehicle’s GVWR, indicating that there’s a chance that this Thunderbird falls within Class 1: 6,000 lb or less (2,722 kg or less).

Sample VIN Decode Report for a 1982 Ford Thunderbird

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