Free 1987 Ford Taurus VIN Decoder

How to decode a 1987 Ford Taurus VIN

Characters 1-3 of a 1987 Ford Taurus VIN

A World Manufacturer Identifier (WMI) is a unique code consisting of the first three characters of a Vehicle Identification Number (VIN), which identifies the vehicle’s manufacturer, vehicle type, and the country of manufacture. In the case of the 1987 Ford Taurus, the WMI “1FA” indicates that the Ford Motor Company in the United States manufactured this passenger car, more specifically in Dearborn, Michigan. This codes helps in tracking the vehicle’s history, specifications, and origins, making it essential for registration, insurance, and vehicle recall purposes. The WMI system is standardized internationally, ensuring that vehicle information is consistently recognizable across the globe.

List of WMI Codes for a 1987 Ford Taurus

WMI: 1FA

• Model Years Covered: 1987-2019
• Example VIN: 1FABP55U0HG198102
• 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 Taurus 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 Taurus:

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 Taurus 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 Taurus VIN — Year Code

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

Known 1987 Ford Taurus Assembly Factory VIN Code(s)

VIN Characters 12 - 17 of a 1987 Ford Taurus

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

What info can a 1987 Ford Taurus VIN reveal?

• Model Year: The VIN can reveal the vehicle’s model year, indicating a 1987 Ford Taurus, providing insights into the age and potential market value of the vehicle.
• Body Class and Size: It can be determined that the vehicle is a Wagon with 4 doors, offering insights into its size and practicality for potential users.
• Engine Specifications: Details such as a V-Shaped engine configuration with a displacement of 3.0 liters, 182 cubic inches, and a horsepower starting from 140 are encoded within the VIN. The engine’s manufacturer is identified as Ford, and it features six cylinders and utilizes Gasoline as its primary fuel source, along with Electronic Fuel Injection (EFI) technology for efficiency.
• Plant Information: The VIN reveals the manufacturing location as Chicago, Illinois, United States, offering a clue on the vehicle’s production origin, which can appeal to those interested in American-made cars.
• Safety and Vehicle Type: This VIN outlines the vehicle as a Passenger Car, equipped with manual seat belts, indicating some of the safety features and the intended use of the vehicle.
• Vehicle Weight Rating: It is classified under Class 1, with a Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) of 6,000 lb or less (2,722 kg or less), which helps in understanding the vehicle’s capacity and regulatory class.
• Fuel Efficiency and Emissions: Although not explicitly detailed in this VIN, information such as fuel type - in this case, Gasoline - hints at the vehicle’s fuel efficiency and environmental considerations, important factors for environmentally conscious users.

Sample VIN Decode Report for a 1987 Ford Taurus