How to decode a 1997 Ford Contour VIN
Characters 1-3 of a 1997 Ford Contour VIN
World Manufacturer Identifier (WMI) codes serve as a unique identifier for every vehicle manufacturer around the globe, providing insight into the brand, country of origin, and vehicle type through the first three characters of the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN). For the 1997 Ford Contour, its WMI “1FA” signifies a vehicle manufactured by the Ford Motor Company, primarily within the passenger car category. This indicates that the vehicle was assembled in the United States, specifically in Dearborn, Michigan. The WMI is a crucial component of the 17-character VIN, offering a standardized method to identify the vehicle’s manufacturer without ambiguity. This system is instrumental in tracking recalls, registrations, and history reports of vehicles.
List of WMI Codes for a 1997 Ford Contour
WMI: 1FA
- Model Years Covered: 1995-2000
- Example VIN: 1FALP66L0VK119262
- 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 1997 Ford Contour 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 1997 Ford Contour:
| Known VDS for a 1997 Ford Contour | ||
|---|---|---|
| LP66L | LP653 | LP65Z |
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 1997 Ford Contour 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 1997 Ford Contour VIN — Year Code
| Year Code | Year |
|---|---|
| V | 1997 |
11th Character in the 1997 Ford Contour VIN — Plant Code(s)
Known 1997 Ford Contour Assembly Factory VIN Code(s)
| Plant Code | Plant City | Plant State | Plant Country | Plant Company Name | Example VIN |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| K | Kansas City | Missouri | United States | 1FALP66L0VK119262 |
VIN Characters 12 - 17 of a 1997 Ford Contour
The final 6 characters in a 1997 Ford Contour’s 17-digit VIN are its serial number, which will be unique to every vehicle.
Check your Ford Contour’s VIN below:
How to find a 1997 Ford Contour’s VIN?
Locating the VIN number on your 1997 Ford Contour is key for identification. Here’s how to find it:
- Look at the dashboard on the driver’s side of your 1997 Ford Contour. The VIN can typically be seen through the windshield.
- Open the driver’s side door and examine the door jamb. The VIN might be located on a sticker or plate where the door latches.
- Check the front of the engine block. The VIN can sometimes be found stamped onto the metal of the engine.
- Inspect the rear wheel well of the Ford Contour. You may need to look closely inside the wheel well above the tire.
- Look beneath the spare tire. In some vehicles, such as the Ford Contour, the VIN may be found in the area where the spare tire is stored.
- Review your vehicle’s title or registration documents. The VIN for your 1997 Ford Contour will be listed on official vehicle documentation.
What info can a 1997 Ford Contour VIN reveal?
- Model Year: The VIN can reveal the vehicle’s model year to be the year 1997, providing insights into the age and potential market value of the vehicle.
- Vehicle Specifications: The VIN provides detailed specifications for a Ford Contour, including a V-Shaped engine layout, and a 2.5L engine with 170 hp, indicating a blend of compact efficiency and power.
- Fuel Type: It specifies Gasoline as the primary fuel type, hinting at the vehicle’s environmental compatibility and performance under various conditions.
- Safety Features: The presence of front air bags for both the driver and passenger in the first row points towards the vehicle’s emphasis on safety.
- Engine Information: With a 6-cylinder engine manufactured by Ford and an Electronic Fuel Injection (EFI) system, it underlines the vehicle’s reliability and technological sophistication.
- Production Details: The vehicle was assembled in Kansas City, Missouri, USA, offering insights into its manufacturing origins which can be useful for market value and quality assurance.
- Body Class and Size: The VIN categorizes the car as a Sedan/Saloon with four doors, providing insights into its design and potential usage scenarios, such as family or executive purposes.
Don’t have your 1997 Ford Contour’s VIN handy? Try our license plate lookup instead!
Sample VIN Decode Report for a 1997 Ford Contour
| Vehicle Spec | Value |
|---|---|
| Body Class | Sedan/Saloon |
| Displacement (CC) | 1982.834744 |
| Displacement (CI) | 121 |
| Displacement (L) | 2.0 |
| Doors | 4 |
| Engine Brake (hp) From | 125 |
| Engine Configuration | In-Line |
| Engine Manufacturer | Ford |
| Engine Number of Cylinders | 4 |
| Front Air Bag Locations | 1st Row (Driver and Passenger) |
| Fuel Type - Primary | Gasoline |
| Gross Vehicle Weight Rating From | Class 1: 6,000 lb or less (2,722 kg or less) |
| Gross Vehicle Weight Rating To | Class 1: 6,000 lb or less (2,722 kg or less) |
| Model | Contour |
| Model Year | 1997 |
| Other Engine Info | EFI: Electronic Fuel Injection, GFP: Gaseous Fuel Prep |
| Other Restraint System Info | Seat Belts: 3-point belts in all outboard positions. |
| Plant City | Kansas City |
| Plant Company Name | |
| Plant Country | United States |
| Plant State | Missouri |
| Seat Belt Type | Manual |
| Series | GL |
| Trim | Sport |
| Valve Train Design | Dual Overhead Cam (DOHC) |
| Vehicle Descriptor | 1FALP65Z*VK |
| Vehicle Type | Passenger Car |
| Sample_VIN | 1FALP65Z3VK160555 |
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