How to decode a 1990 Ford Mustang VIN
Characters 1-3 of a 1990 Ford Mustang VIN
A World Manufacturer Identifier (WMI) is a unique code assigned to every vehicle manufacturer by the Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE). This code is the first three digits of the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN), which helps in identifying the manufacturer, vehicle type, and country of assembly. For the 1990 Ford Mustang, the WMI is “1FA,” indicating that the vehicle was manufactured by Ford Motor Company in the United States, specifically in Dearborn, Michigan. This code is essential for vehicle registration, identification, and recall purposes. The inclusion of “1FA” as part of the Mustang’s VIN reflects both its American heritage and its classification as a passenger car designed by Ford.
List of WMI Codes for a 1990 Ford Mustang
WMI: 1FA
- Model Years Covered: 1981-2004, 2015-2024
- Example VIN: 1FACP41A7LF115189
- 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 1990 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 1990 Ford Mustang:
| Known VDS for a 1990 Ford Mustang | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CP41A | CP40E | CP45E | CP44E | CP41E | CP42E | CP44A | CP40A |
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 1990 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 1990 Ford Mustang VIN — Year Code
| Year Code | Year |
|---|---|
| L | 1990 |
11th Character in the 1990 Ford Mustang VIN — Plant Code(s)
Known 1990 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 | 1FACP41A7LF115189 |
VIN Characters 12 - 17 of a 1990 Ford Mustang
The final 6 characters in a 1990 Ford Mustang’s 17-digit VIN are its serial number, which will be unique to every vehicle.
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How to find a 1990 Ford Mustang’s VIN?
Locating the VIN number on your 1990 Ford Mustang is key for identification. Here’s how to find it:
- Examine the dashboard on the driver’s side of your 1990 Ford Mustang. You should be able to see the VIN through the windshield on the lower corner.
- Look at the door post on the driver’s side where the door latches when closed. The VIN might be found on a sticker or a metal plate in this area.
- Check the front of the engine block. In some Mustang models, the VIN is stamped on the engine itself.
- Inspect the front frame of the Mustang, often near the windshield washer fluid container. This is another common place where the VIN could be stamped.
- Peek inside the driver’s side wheel well. Sometimes the VIN can be found above the wheel on the frame.
- Review your vehicle’s title documents, registration, or insurance papers, as the VIN for your Ford Mustang will be printed on these documents.
What info can a 1990 Ford Mustang VIN reveal?
- Model Year: The VIN may suggest that the vehicle is from the year 1990, potentially revealing the age and specific generation of the model.
- Vehicle Specifications: For the Mustang GT, specifics such as a 5.0-liter V-Shaped 8-cylinder engine by Ford, with 225 horsepower, could indicate the performance capabilities that might be encoded within the VIN.
- Body Class and Doors: This VIN possibly indicates a Convertible/Cabriolet body class, coupled with the detail that it might have 2 doors, providing potential insights about the vehicle’s design and utility.
- Fuel Type: With a primary fuel type of Gasoline, the VIN might offer insights into the vehicle’s potential environmental impact and fuel consumption rates.
- Engine Details: It may specify a high output engine with electronic fuel injection, potentially highlighting advanced features for its time, such as an engine displacement of 302 CI (5.0 L), enhancing understanding of its power potential.
- Safety Features: The presence of a driver seat only front airbag location might be detailed, offering a potential glimpse into the vehicle’s safety standards and features applicable at the time of manufacture.
- Manufacturing Information: Details such as the plant city being Dearborn, Michigan, United States might give insight into the potential origin of manufacturing, which could be valuable for understanding market value, recall checks, and historical significance.
Don’t have your 1990 Ford Mustang’s VIN handy? Try our license plate lookup instead!
Sample VIN Decode Report for a 1990 Ford Mustang
| Vehicle Spec | Value |
|---|---|
| Body Class | Convertible/Cabriolet |
| Displacement (CC) | 4948.893328 |
| Displacement (CI) | 302 |
| Displacement (L) | 5.0 |
| Doors | 2 |
| Engine Brake (hp) From | 225 |
| Engine Configuration | V-Shaped |
| Engine Manufacturer | Ford |
| Engine Number of Cylinders | 8 |
| Front Air Bag Locations | Driver Seat Only |
| 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 | Mustang |
| Model Year | 1990 |
| Other Engine Info | Electronic Fuel Injection; High Output Engine |
| Plant City | Dearborn |
| Plant Company Name | |
| Plant Country | United States |
| Plant State | Michigan |
| Seat Belt Type | Manual |
| Series | GT |
| Vehicle Descriptor | 1FACP45E*LF |
| Vehicle Type | Passenger Car |
| Sample_VIN | 1FACP45E0LF110963 |
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