ORIGINAL: tmajikman

Is there any way to figure out if a 87 GT stang is really that, opposed to a 4 cylinder, I have the vin and wanted to know before I buy it. Thanks

ORIGINAL: wine_maker


DECODE YOUR VIN!!
Have you ever wondered what in the world all those letters and numbers really mean in your VIN (Vehicle Identification Number)? Well, don’t feel bad, you’re not alone! Since we’ve had a number people write us and ask about it, we thought we’d go ahead and give you a short "how to". (Please note - this decoder page covers ALL Mustangs with either V8 or 2.3L turbo engines NOT just Mustang GT's.)
All 1982-1993 Mustang’s have a 17 digit VIN.
Digits 1-3 = World Manufacturer Identifier
all 1982-1993 Mustangs = "1FA" - FoMoCo, USA, Ford Passenger Car
Digit 4 = Restraint System
1982-1989 Mustangs = "B" - Active Belts (Manual)
1990-1993 Mustangs = "C" - Air Bag with Active Belts (Front)
Digit 5 = Passenger Car
all 1982-1993 Mustangs - "P"
Digits 6-7 = Series - Body Style
1982 Mustangs
"10" - 2-door Notchback (L/GL Series)
"12" - 2-door Notchback (GLX Series)
"13" - 3-door Hatchback (GLX Series)
"16" - 3-door Hatchback (GL/GT Series)
1983-1986 Mustangs
"26" - 2-door Notchback (L/GL/GLX/LX Series)
"27" - 2-door Convertible (GLX/LX/GT Series)
"28" - 3-door Hatchback (L/GL/GLX/LX/GT Series)
1987-1993 Mustangs
"40" - 2-door Notchback (LX Series)
"41" - 3-door Hatchback (LX Series)
"42" - 3-door Hatchback (GT Series)
"44" - 2-door Convertible (LX Series)
"45" - 2-door Convertible (GT Series)
Digit 8 = Engine
(Note only codes for V8 and 2.3L Turbo engines are shown
here even though Ford did put various other 4 cylinder
and 6 cylinder engines in the Mustang)
1982 Mustangs
"D" - 4.2 liter 2V V8 255 CID 120 hp
"F" - 5.0 liter 2V V8 302 CID 157 hp
1983 Mustangs
"F" - 5.0 liter 4V V8 302 CID 175 hp
"W" - 2.3 Liter CFI 4 cylinder turbo 140 CID 145 hp (Turbo GT only)
1984 Mustangs
"M" - 5.0 liter 4V (5-speed manual - 175 hp) or CFI (automatic - 165 hp) V8 302 CID
"T" - 2.3 Liter CFI 4 cylinder turbo 140 CID 175 hp (SVO only)
"W" - 2.3 Liter CFI 4 cylinder turbo 140 CID 145 hp (Turbo GT only)
1985 Mustangs
"M" - 5.0 liter 4V (5-speed manual - 210 hp) or CFI (automatic - 180 hp) V8 302 CID
1986 Mustangs
"M" - 5.0 liter SEFI V8 302 CID 200 hp
1987-1992 Mustangs
"E" - 5.0 liter SEFI V8 302 CID 225 hp
1993 Mustangs
"D" - 5.0 liter SEFI V8 302 CID 235 hp (Cobra only)
"E" - 5.0 liter SEFI V8 302 CID 205 hp
Digit 9 = Check Digit (for Ford internal use)
all 1982-1993 Mustangs = any digit "0-10" or "X"
Digit 10 = Model Year
1982 = "C"
1983 = "D"
1984 = "E"
1985 = "F"
1986 = "G"
1987 = "H"
1988 = "J"
1989 = "K"
1990 = "L"
1991 = "M"
1992 = "N"
1993 = "P"
Digit 11 = Assembly Plant
all 1982-1993 Mustangs = "F" - Dearborn
Digit 12-17 = Consecutive Unit Number
production numbers started at 100,001 at the beginning of each model year (these numbers include ALL Mustangs - not just GT's)
Here’s a breakdown of the VIN for a 1991 GT Hatchback - "1FACP42E6MF115008":
1FA = Ford Motor Co., USA, Ford Passenger Car
C = Air Bag(s) with Active Belts (Front)
P = Passenger Car
42 = 2-door Hatchback, GT
E = V8, 5.0 Liter, 302-SEFI
6 = Check digit (for Ford internal use)
M = 1991
F = Dearborn
115008 = Consecutive Unit Number - this car would be the 15,008th Mustang (of ALL Mustangs - not just GT's) off the line in model year 1991.