How to decode a 1981 Ford Mustang VIN
Characters 1-3 of a 1981 Ford Mustang VIN
World Manufacturer Identifiers (WMIs) are unique codes used to identify the manufacturer of a vehicle and provide specific details about it. In the case of the 1981 Ford Mustang, the WMI is “1FA,” which is distinct for Ford Motor Company vehicles manufactured in the United States, specifically in Dearborn, Michigan. This code forms the initial part of the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN), which is a 17-character sequence used globally to track individual motor vehicles. The WMI not only confirms the vehicle’s manufacturer but also indicates the country of assembly and the vehicle type, in this instance, pointing to a passenger car. This system is invaluable for vehicle registration, identification, and tracking purposes across the automotive industry.
List of WMI Codes for a 1981 Ford Mustang
WMI: 1FA
- Model Years Covered: 1981-2004, 2015-2024
- Example VIN: 1FABP12D5BF174999
- 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 Mustang 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 Mustang:
| Known VDS for a 1981 Ford Mustang | ||
|---|---|---|
| BP12D | BP10A | BP10D |
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 Mustang 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 Mustang VIN — Year Code
| Year Code | Year |
|---|---|
| B | 1981 |
11th Character in the 1981 Ford Mustang VIN — Plant Code(s)
Known 1981 Ford Mustang Assembly Factory VIN Code(s)
| Plant Code | Plant City | Plant State | Plant Country | Plant Company Name | Example VIN |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| F | Dearborn | Michigan | United States | 1FABP12D5BF174999 |
VIN Characters 12 - 17 of a 1981 Ford Mustang
The final 6 characters in a 1981 Ford Mustang’s 17-digit VIN are its serial number, which will be unique to every vehicle.
Check your Ford Mustang’s VIN below:
How to find a 1981 Ford Mustang’s VIN?
Locating the VIN number on your 1981 Ford Mustang is key for identification. Here’s how to find it:
- Examine the driver’s side dashboard of your 1981 Ford Mustang, as the VIN can typically be viewed through the windshield on a plate or sticker.
- Inspect the driver’s side door jamb on your Mustang, where a VIN sticker or plate may be found in the area where the door latches shut.
- Look at the front of the engine block, where the Ford Mustang may have the VIN stamped directly onto the metal.
- Check the vehicle’s frame near the windshield washer fluid container for another possible VIN location on your Mustang.
- Review your Ford Mustang’s insurance or registration documents, where the VIN will be recorded for reference.
What info can a 1981 Ford Mustang VIN reveal?
- Model Year: The VIN can reveal the vehicle’s model year, possibly indicating the year 1981, providing insights into the age and potential market value of the vehicle.
- Manufacturing Location: It may indicate that the vehicle was produced in Dearborn, Michigan, United States, possibly offering insights into the origin of manufacturing.
- Vehicle Specifications: Basic Ford Mustang model information, including engine details such as a 2.3L displacement and an in-line engine configuration, may be encoded within the VIN.
- Engine and Performance: The vehicle’s engine, manufactured by Ford, may feature a displacement of 2.3 liters (140 cubic inches) and an output starting from 88 horsepower, possibly showcasing the vehicle’s performance capabilities.
- Fuel Type: The primary fuel type for this vehicle may be gasoline, possibly providing necessary information for fuel-related decisions.
- Safety Features: The mention of “Active Belts” under other restraint system information might suggest the presence of this particular safety feature.
- Body Class and Doors: The VIN discloses the vehicle as a Sedan/Saloon with 2 doors, offering insights into its body type and size.
Don’t have your 1981 Ford Mustang’s VIN handy? Try our license plate lookup instead!
Sample VIN Decode Report for a 1981 Ford Mustang
| Vehicle Spec | Value |
|---|---|
| Body Class | Sedan/Saloon |
| Displacement (CC) | 2294.188960 |
| Displacement (CI) | 140 |
| Displacement (L) | 2.3 |
| Doors | 2 |
| Engine Brake (hp) From | 88 |
| Engine Configuration | In-Line |
| Engine Manufacturer | Ford |
| Engine Number of Cylinders | 4 |
| Fuel Type - Primary | Gasoline |
| Model | Mustang |
| Model Year | 1981 |
| Other Engine Info | Overhead camshaft 1BBL |
| Other Restraint System Info | Active Belts |
| Plant City | Dearborn |
| Plant Company Name | |
| Plant Country | United States |
| Plant State | Michigan |
| Vehicle Descriptor | 1FABP10A*BF |
| Vehicle Type | Passenger Car |
| Sample_VIN | 1FABP10A0BF186759 |
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