Free 1996 Ford Thunderbird VIN Decoder

How to decode a 1996 Ford Thunderbird VIN

Characters 1-3 of a 1996 Ford Thunderbird VIN

A World Manufacturer Identifier (WMI) is a unique code that is assigned to every vehicle manufacturer around the globe and forms the first three characters of the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN). It provides specific details about the manufacturing origin of the vehicle. For example, the 1996 Ford Thunderbird’s WMI of “1FA” indicates that this vehicle was manufactured by Ford Motor Company in the United States, specifically in Dearborn, Michigan. These initial characters (1FA) are a key to unlocking the vehicle’s manufacturer information, telling us that this particular model falls under the category of passenger cars. The Ford Motor Company used this identifier within certain years, including 1996, underscoring the relevance of the WMI in tracing back the vehicle’s manufacturing details.

List of WMI Codes for a 1996 Ford Thunderbird

WMI: 1FA

• Model Years Covered: 1981-1997, 2002-2005
• Example VIN: 1FALP62W0TH110006
• 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 1996 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 1996 Ford Thunderbird:

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 1996 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 1996 Ford Thunderbird VIN — Year Code

11th Character in the 1996 Ford Thunderbird VIN — Plant Code(s)

Known 1996 Ford Thunderbird Assembly Factory VIN Code(s)

VIN Characters 12 - 17 of a 1996 Ford Thunderbird

The final 6 characters in a 1996 Ford Thunderbird’s 17-digit VIN are its serial number, which will be unique to every vehicle.

Check your Ford Thunderbird’s VIN below:

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What info can a 1996 Ford Thunderbird VIN reveal?

• Model Year: The VIN can reveal the vehicle’s model year being the year 1996, offering insights into the age and potential market value of the vehicle.
• Vehicle Model and Trim: The model is specified as Thunderbird with the trim level LX, providing detailed insights into the vehicle’s design and feature set.
• Engine Specifications: The engine is described as a V-Shaped, 4.6 L (281 CI or 4604.764984 CC) with 8 cylinders, attributing to Ford as the manufacturer, potentially affecting the vehicle’s power and performance capabilities.
• Fuel Efficiency and Type: The VIN indicates the primary fuel type as Gasoline, with an electronic fuel injection system, which may hint at the vehicle’s fuel consumption patterns and efficiency.
• Safety Features: Safety aspects include Front Air Bag locations in the 1st Row (Driver and Passenger) and details about the seat belt types being manual, indicating the level of safety provided.
• Body Class and Doors: The body is described as a Sedan/Saloon with 2 doors, offering a clear picture of the vehicle’s size and accessibility.
• Manufacturing Information: The plant’s location in Lorain, Ohio, United States provides insights into where the vehicle was assembled, which can be of interest concerning manufacturing standards and origin.

Sample VIN Decode Report for a 1996 Ford Thunderbird

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