How to decode a 1989 Ford Thunderbird VIN
Characters 1-3 of a 1989 Ford Thunderbird VIN
World Manufacturer Identifiers (WMIs) are unique codes used to identify the manufacturer of a vehicle and provide key details about it. For the 1989 Ford Thunderbird, the WMI is “1FA”, indicating that it was manufactured by Ford Motor Company. This specific code signifies that the vehicle is a passenger car produced in Dearborn, Michigan, United States. WMIs are the first three digits of the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN), serving as an essential tool to track and identify vehicles globally. In the case of the 1989 Ford Thunderbird, the WMI reveals its origin and manufacturer, highlighting its American heritage and Ford’s production capabilities.
List of WMI Codes for a 1989 Ford Thunderbird
WMI: 1FA
- Model Years Covered: 1981-1997, 2002-2005
- Example VIN: 1FAPP6040KH146179
- 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 1989 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 1989 Ford Thunderbird:
| Known VDS for a 1989 Ford Thunderbird | ||
|---|---|---|
| PP604 | PP64R | PP624 |
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 1989 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 1989 Ford Thunderbird VIN — Year Code
| Year Code | Year |
|---|---|
| K | 1989 |
11th Character in the 1989 Ford Thunderbird VIN — Plant Code(s)
Known 1989 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 | 1FAPP6040KH146179 |
VIN Characters 12 - 17 of a 1989 Ford Thunderbird
The final 6 characters in a 1989 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 1989 Ford Thunderbird’s VIN?
Locating the VIN number on your 1989 Ford Thunderbird is key for identification. Here’s how to find it:
- Look at the dashboard on the driver’s side of your 1989 Ford Thunderbird. The VIN can typically be seen through the windshield on a metal or plastic identification plate.
- Open the driver’s side door and inspect the door jamb for a sticker or plate. Your Ford Thunderbird’s VIN is usually located where the door latches when closed.
- Check the front of the engine block. The VIN for your Ford Thunderbird may be stamped on the metal surface of the engine.
- Look inside the rear wheel well above the tire. Sometimes the VIN can be found in this location on older vehicles like the 1989 Ford Thunderbird.
- Examine the frame underneath the vehicle. The VIN might be stamped on the car frame, usually near the front.
- If your 1989 Ford Thunderbird still has its original paperwork, the VIN will be printed on the vehicle title, registration, and insurance documents.
What info can a 1989 Ford Thunderbird VIN reveal?
- Model Year: The VIN can reveal the vehicles model year being the year 1989, providing insights into the age and potential market value of the vehicle.
- Engine Specifications: It may include details about the engine’s V-shaped configuration, 3.8L displacement, and 210 horsepower, potentially providing a glimpse into the vehicle’s performance and capabilities.
- Fuel Type: The VIN might specify that the vehicle uses Gasoline as its fuel type, assisting in understanding the vehicle’s fuel requirements.
- Plant Location: The VIN can possibly provide insights into where the vehicle was manufactured, such as the city (Lorain), state (Ohio), and country (United States), offering historical and geographical context.
- Safety Feature: Information about the restraint systems can be included, indicating the possible presence of passive belts in the front and active belts in the rear, potentially aiding in understanding the safety features of the vehicle.
- Body Class and Doors: A VIN can specify the body class, such as Sedan/Saloon, and the number of doors, in this case, 2, providing detailed insights into the vehicle’s design and structure.
- Vehicle Type and Series: The type of vehicle and specific series may be identified, showing it is a Passenger Car and part of the Super Coupe series, potentially offering details about the vehicle’s classification and model variation.
Don’t have your 1989 Ford Thunderbird’s VIN handy? Try our license plate lookup instead!
Sample VIN Decode Report for a 1989 Ford Thunderbird
| Vehicle Spec | Value |
|---|---|
| Body Class | Sedan/Saloon |
| Displacement (CC) | 3801.798848 |
| Displacement (CI) | 232 |
| Displacement (L) | 3.8 |
| Doors | 2 |
| Engine Brake (hp) From | 140 |
| Engine Configuration | V-Shaped |
| Engine Manufacturer | Ford |
| Engine Number of Cylinders | 6 |
| 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 | 1989 |
| Other Engine Info | EFI: Electronic Fuel Injection |
| Other Restraint System Info | Passive Belts (front)/ Active Belts (rear) |
| Plant City | Lorain |
| Plant Company Name | |
| Plant Country | United States |
| Plant State | Ohio |
| Seat Belt Type | Manual and Automatic |
| Series | Standard |
| Vehicle Descriptor | 1FAPP604*KH |
| Vehicle Type | Passenger Car |
| Sample_VIN | 1FAPP6040KH146179 |
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