How to decode a 1986 Ford Thunderbird VIN
Characters 1-3 of a 1986 Ford Thunderbird VIN
A World Manufacturer Identifier (WMI) is a unique code assigned to every vehicle manufacturer by region and country, forming the initial characters of the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN). For example, Ford Motor Company vehicles manufactured in Dearborn, Michigan, United States, have the WMI “1FA.” This identifier is critical for the 1986 Ford Thunderbird, indicating its origin and manufacturer. The WMI not only helps in identifying the vehicle’s make and country of manufacture but also aids in tracking recalls, registrations, and warranty claims. It’s an essential tool for both legal and manufacturing processes, providing a global standard for identifying vehicles.
List of WMI Codes for a 1986 Ford Thunderbird
WMI: 1FA
- Model Years Covered: 1981-1997, 2002-2005
- Example VIN: 1FABP46W6GH229789
- 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 1986 Ford Thunderbird 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 1986 Ford Thunderbird:
| Known VDS for a 1986 Ford Thunderbird | |
|---|---|
| BP46W | BP463 |
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 1986 Ford Thunderbird 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 1986 Ford Thunderbird VIN — Year Code
| Year Code | Year |
|---|---|
| G | 1986 |
11th Character in the 1986 Ford Thunderbird VIN — Plant Code(s)
Known 1986 Ford Thunderbird Assembly Factory VIN Code(s)
| Plant Code | Plant City | Plant State | Plant Country | Plant Company Name | Example VIN |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| H | Lorain | Ohio | United States | 1FABP46W6GH229789 |
VIN Characters 12 - 17 of a 1986 Ford Thunderbird
The final 6 characters in a 1986 Ford Thunderbird’s 17-digit VIN are its serial number, which will be unique to every vehicle.
Check your Ford Thunderbird’s VIN below:
How to find a 1986 Ford Thunderbird’s VIN?
Locating the VIN number on your 1986 Ford Thunderbird is key for identification. Here’s how to find it:
- Inspect the dashboard on the driver’s side of your Ford Thunderbird. The VIN can typically be seen through the windshield on the lower corner where the dashboard meets the glass.
- Look at the driver’s side door jamb on your 1986 Ford Thunderbird. The VIN is often located on a sticker or a plate where the door latches when it is closed.
- Examine the firewall of the vehicle’s engine bay, where manufacturers often place a VIN plate or sticker on your Ford Thunderbird.
- Check the vehicle’s documents such as the title, registration, or insurance papers for your Ford Thunderbird, as the VIN is usually recorded there.
- Inspect beneath the front hood; the VIN may be stamped onto parts of the frame or on a metal plate attached to the chassis in the engine compartment of your Ford Thunderbird. 6. If equipped, look at the rear frame rail or underneath the spare tire, as some Ford Thunderbird models may have the VIN stamped in these locations for additional identification.
What info can a 1986 Ford Thunderbird VIN reveal?
- Model Year: The VIN can reveal the vehicle’s model year, such as 1986 for a Ford Thunderbird, providing insights into the age and potential market value of the vehicle.
- Body Class and Doors: A VIN can specify the body class, such as Sedan/Saloon with 2 doors, offering detailed insights into the vehicle’s design and capacity.
- Engine Type: Details about the engine, such as its V-shaped configuration, 2.3 liters or 140 cubic inches displacement, and power output ranging from 145 to 175 horsepower, are typically encoded within the VIN, providing information about the vehicle’s performance capabilities.
- Fuel Type: The primary fuel type a vehicle uses, for this example, is gasoline, indicating the kind of fuel most efficient for the vehicle’s engine.
- Manufacturing Location: The VIN can provide insights into where a vehicle was manufactured, including the plant city, state, and country. For instance, this Ford Thunderbird was assembled in Lorain, Ohio, United States.
- Safety Features: Basic safety features like the type of seat belts used, which are manual in this example, can sometimes be inferred from VIN details, giving an indication of the vehicle’s safety standards.
- Special Features: The VIN can hint at special features of the vehicle, such as the presence of a turbocharger and engine details like electronic fuel injection (EFI), showcasing additional aspects that enhance performance and efficiency.
Don’t have your 1986 Ford Thunderbird’s VIN handy? Try our license plate lookup instead!
Sample VIN Decode Report for a 1986 Ford Thunderbird
| Vehicle Spec | Value |
|---|---|
| Body Class | Sedan/Saloon |
| Displacement (CC) | 2294.188960 |
| Displacement (CI) | 140 |
| Displacement (L) | 2.3 |
| Doors | 2 |
| Engine Brake (hp) From | 145 |
| Engine Brake (hp) To | 175 |
| Engine Configuration | V-Shaped |
| Engine Manufacturer | Ford |
| Engine Number of Cylinders | 4 |
| 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 | Thunderbird |
| Model Year | 1986 |
| Other Engine Info | EFI: Electronic Fuel Injection |
| Plant City | Lorain |
| Plant Company Name | |
| Plant Country | United States |
| Plant State | Ohio |
| Seat Belt Type | Manual |
| Series | CPE, FILA ANNIV. ED. |
| Turbo | Yes |
| Vehicle Descriptor | 1FABP46W*GH |
| Vehicle Type | Passenger Car |
| Sample_VIN | 1FABP46W6GH229789 |
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