How to decode a 1998 Ford Mustang VIN
Characters 1-3 of a 1998 Ford Mustang VIN
A World Manufacturer Identifier (WMI) is a unique three-digit code assigned to every vehicle manufacturer by the Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE). This code forms the first segment of the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN), which helps in identifying key attributes of the vehicle, including its manufacturer, vehicle type, and the country of manufacture. For instance, the WMI for a 1998 Ford Mustang, manufactured by the Ford Motor Company in the United States, specifically in Michigan, is “1FA”. This indicates that the vehicle was produced by Ford in Dearborn, Michigan, and is classified as a passenger car. The WMI is crucial for vehicle tracking, registration, and recall purposes.
List of WMI Codes for a 1998 Ford Mustang
WMI: 1FA
- Model Years Covered: 1981-2004, 2015-2024
- Example VIN: 1FAFP4440WF152933
- 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 1998 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 1998 Ford Mustang:
| Known VDS for a 1998 Ford Mustang | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| FP444 | FP47V | FP45X | FP404 | FP42X | FP46V |
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 1998 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 1998 Ford Mustang VIN — Year Code
| Year Code | Year |
|---|---|
| W | 1998 |
11th Character in the 1998 Ford Mustang VIN — Plant Code(s)
Known 1998 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 | 1FAFP4440WF152933 |
VIN Characters 12 - 17 of a 1998 Ford Mustang
The final 6 characters in a 1998 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 1998 Ford Mustang’s VIN?
Locating the VIN number on your 1998 Ford Mustang is key for identification. Here’s how to find it:
- Examine the dashboard of your 1998 Ford Mustang on the driver’s side. You can typically see the VIN by looking through the windshield, where it’s displayed on a small metal plate.
- Inspect the door frame on the driver’s side of your Ford Mustang. When you open the driver’s door, look for a sticker or label on the door jamb for the VIN.
- Look under the hood of your 1998 Mustang. The VIN may be stamped on the engine block, and it can usually be found easily when the hood is up.
- Check the trunk area of your Ford Mustang. Sometimes the VIN is located in the spare tire well or on the trunk lid.
- Review your Mustang’s vehicle registration documents or insurance papers. The VIN will be listed on any official document that pertains to your specific vehicle.
- Examine the vehicle’s frame. Though less common and a bit more difficult to access, certain Ford Mustang models may have the VIN stamped on the chassis or the frame of the car.
What info can a 1998 Ford Mustang VIN reveal?
- Model Year: The VIN can reveal the vehicles model year being the year 1998, providing insights into the age and potential market value of the vehicle.
- Vehicle Specifications: The VIN may provide essential information such as the make being Ford, the model being Mustang, and specific series and trim such as Cobra SVT encoded within the VIN.
- Engine Specifications: Detailed engine information, such as a displacement of 4.6 liters, a V-Shaped engine configuration, and an engine power ranging from 260 to 305 horsepower, all manufactured by Ford, might be included in the VIN.
- Fuel Type: The VIN could disclose that the primary fuel type for the vehicle is Gasoline, possibly combined with an Electronic Fuel Injection system for efficient performance.
- Safety Features: Key safety features, such as the presence of front airbags for both the driver and passenger in the 1st row, are mentioned in the VIN, indicating a focus on occupant protection.
- Body Class and Size: The VIN might specify the vehicle as a Convertible/Cabriolet with two doors, clearly highlighting its design and structural attributes.
- Manufacturing Details: Information about the manufacturing, including the plant location in Dearborn, Michigan, United States, might be provided, supporting tracing the vehicle’s production origin.
Don’t have your 1998 Ford Mustang’s VIN handy? Try our license plate lookup instead!
Sample VIN Decode Report for a 1998 Ford Mustang
| Vehicle Spec | Value |
|---|---|
| Body Class | Convertible/Cabriolet |
| Displacement (CC) | 4600.0 |
| Displacement (CI) | 280.70922283576 |
| Displacement (L) | 4.6 |
| Doors | 2 |
| Engine Brake (hp) From | 260 |
| Engine Brake (hp) To | 305 |
| Engine Configuration | V-Shaped |
| Engine Manufacturer | Ford |
| Engine Number of Cylinders | 8 |
| 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 | Mustang |
| Model Year | 1998 |
| Other Engine Info | EFI: Electronic Fuel Injection |
| Plant City | Dearborn |
| Plant Company Name | |
| Plant Country | United States |
| Plant State | Michigan |
| Seat Belt Type | Manual |
| Series | Cobra |
| Trim | SVT |
| Valve Train Design | Dual Overhead Cam (DOHC) |
| Vehicle Descriptor | 1FAFP46V*WF |
| Vehicle Type | Passenger Car |
| Sample_VIN | 1FAFP46V0WF136303 |
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