How to decode a 1981 Ford Fairmont VIN
Characters 1-3 of a 1981 Ford Fairmont VIN
World Manufacturer Identifier (WMI) codes are a unique sequence of three letters or numbers that identify the manufacturer of a vehicle and provide specific information about the vehicle type and location of manufacture. The WMI is the initial segment of the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN), which is a 17-character code used worldwide to delineate unique vehicle attributes. For example, Ford vehicles manufactured in Dearborn, Michigan, in the early 1980s, including the 1981 Ford Fairmont, can be identified by the WMI code ‘1FA’. This code signifies that the vehicle was made by Ford Motor Company in the United States, specifically in a facility located in Michigan. The WMI is essential for tracking, registration, and identification purposes, ensuring each vehicle is uniquely cataloged.
List of WMI Codes for a 1981 Ford Fairmont
WMI: 1FA
- Model Years Covered: 1981, 1983
- Example VIN: 1FABP21B1BK190467
- 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 1981 Ford Fairmont 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 1981 Ford Fairmont:
| Known VDS for a 1981 Ford Fairmont | ||
|---|---|---|
| BP21B | BP22B | BP23A |
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 1981 Ford Fairmont 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 1981 Ford Fairmont VIN — Year Code
| Year Code | Year |
|---|---|
| B | 1981 |
11th Character in the 1981 Ford Fairmont VIN — Plant Code(s)
Known 1981 Ford Fairmont Assembly Factory VIN Code(s)
| Plant Code | Plant City | Plant State | Plant Country | Plant Company Name | Example VIN |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| K | Kansas City | Missouri | United States | 1FABP21B1BK190467 |
VIN Characters 12 - 17 of a 1981 Ford Fairmont
The final 6 characters in a 1981 Ford Fairmont’s 17-digit VIN are its serial number, which will be unique to every vehicle.
Check your Ford Fairmont’s VIN below:
How to find a 1981 Ford Fairmont’s VIN?
Locating the VIN number on your 1981 Ford Fairmont is key for identification. Here’s how to find it:
- Look at the dashboard on the driver’s side of your Ford Fairmont, particularly at the corner where it meets the windshield. This is a common place where the VIN plate is affixed and can usually be seen from outside the vehicle.
- Open the driver’s side door and inspect the door jamb. The 1981 Ford Fairmont often has a VIN sticker or plate in this area where the door latches when closed.
- Check the engine bay. The VIN may also be located on the front of the engine block. This might require some cleaning to read if it has become dirty over time.
- Investigate the trunk area of your Ford Fairmont. Sometimes the VIN is found on the inside of the trunk lid or in the compartment where the spare tire is stored.
- Examine the vehicle’s paperwork. The VIN will be listed on the title, registration, and insurance documents associated with your 1981 Ford Fairmont.
What info can a 1981 Ford Fairmont VIN reveal?
- Model Year: The VIN can reveal the vehicles model year being the year 1981, providing insights into the age and potential market value of the vehicle.
- Vehicle Type and Body Class: The VIN may indicate that the vehicle is a Passenger Car with a body class of Wagon, offering insights into the general shape and functionality of the vehicle.
- Engine Details: Information about the engine, including its configuration as In-Line, displacement metrics (e.g., 2.3L or 140CI), manufacturer (Ford in this example), and specific characteristics like being a 4-cylinder with 88hp, can be decoded from a VIN.
- Fuel Type: The primary fuel type the vehicle operates on, such as Gasoline, is a crucial detail that can be identified, which has implications for fuel efficiency and environmental impact.
- Safety Features: While detailed safety equipment might not be specified, basic safety systems, like the presence of active belts, can sometimes be inferred.
- Manufacturing Information: A VIN can provide insights into where a vehicle was assembled, including the plant city (Kansas City), state (Missouri), and country (United States), which might interest those who prefer vehicles made in certain locations.
- Unique Vehicle Identifier: The VIN serves as a unique identifier, containing a Vehicle Descriptor that hints at specific features or variations within a model line, helping to distinguish a vehicle from others of the same make and model.
Don’t have your 1981 Ford Fairmont’s VIN handy? Try our license plate lookup instead!
Sample VIN Decode Report for a 1981 Ford Fairmont
| Vehicle Spec | Value |
|---|---|
| Body Class | Wagon |
| Displacement (CC) | 2294.188960 |
| Displacement (CI) | 140 |
| Displacement (L) | 2.3 |
| Doors | 4 |
| Engine Brake (hp) From | 88 |
| Engine Configuration | In-Line |
| Engine Manufacturer | Ford |
| Engine Number of Cylinders | 4 |
| Fuel Type - Primary | Gasoline |
| Model | Fairmont |
| Model Year | 1981 |
| Other Engine Info | Overhead camshaft 1BBL |
| Other Restraint System Info | Active Belts |
| Plant City | Kansas City |
| Plant Company Name | |
| Plant Country | United States |
| Plant State | Missouri |
| Vehicle Descriptor | 1FABP23A*BK |
| Vehicle Type | Passenger Car |
| Sample_VIN | 1FABP23A9BK182234 |
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