Free 1987 Ford Thunderbird VIN Decoder

How to decode a 1987 Ford Thunderbird VIN

Characters 1-3 of a 1987 Ford Thunderbird VIN

A World Manufacturer Identifier (WMI) is a unique code consisting of the first three characters of a Vehicle Identification Number (VIN), which signals essential information about the vehicle, including its manufacturer and the country of assembly. For a 1987 Ford Thunderbird, the WMI “1FA” specifically indicates that the vehicle was manufactured by Ford Motor Company in the United States. This code is an integral part of the VIN, which can be used to track recalls, registrations, warranty claims, and to ensure the legitimacy of the vehicle. The Ford Thunderbird’s assembly was carried out in Dearborn, Michigan, marking it as a product of Ford’s long history of vehicle manufacturing in the U.S. This system aids in providing a standardized method to recognize the vehicle’s manufacturing origin and brand, ensuring a uniform identification process worldwide.

List of WMI Codes for a 1987 Ford Thunderbird

WMI: 1FA

• Model Years Covered: 1981-1997, 2002-2005
• Example VIN: 1FABP6239HH183237
• 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 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 1987 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 1987 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 1987 Ford Thunderbird VIN — Year Code

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

Known 1987 Ford Thunderbird Assembly Factory VIN Code(s)

VIN Characters 12 - 17 of a 1987 Ford Thunderbird

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

What info can a 1987 Ford Thunderbird VIN reveal?

• Model Year: The VIN can reveal the vehicle’s model year, potentially indicating the year 1987, providing insights into the age and potential market value of the vehicle.
• Vehicle Specifications: The VIN can provide detailed vehicle specifications, such as the Ford Thunderbird model featuring a V-shaped engine configuration with a displacement around 2.3 liters and turbocharged capabilities, allowing for a better understanding of the vehicle’s design and performance capabilities.
• Engine Performance: Details like engine horsepower, which may range from 145 to 175 hp, and fuel type, commonly gasoline, are encoded within the VIN, hinting towards the vehicle’s potential performance characteristics and fuel efficiency.
• Safety Features: The VIN may provide information about safety equipment, such as manual seat belts, offering insights into the standard safety features for the model.
• Manufacturing Information: The VIN can pinpoint the manufacturing location, including the plant city of Lorain, state of Ohio, and the country being the United States, offering insights into the vehicle’s origin and production details.
• Body Class and Size: It can indicate the body class, for example, being categorized as a sedan/saloon with 2 doors, providing a general idea about the vehicle’s size and type, helping to understand its design and structure.
• Unique Identifiers: Specific engine details like the manufacturer being Ford, the presence of electronic fuel injection (EFI), and the engine’s number of cylinders, in this instance 4, can be uniquely identified through the VIN, offering specific insights into the vehicle’s engine characteristics.

Sample VIN Decode Report for a 1987 Ford Thunderbird

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