I went to look at an 89 LX 5.0L hatchback yesterday and checked the VIN to see if it was indeed a real 5.0 car. Using my Standard catalog of Mustang for reference, it tells me that an A code is a 4 cylinder car and an M code would be a V8 car. This car had an E code... what the heck is an E code car?

VIN: 1FABP41E4KFXXXXXX

Thanks.

 

M was the code for a V8 car up to 1985. In 1986, they started using E to denote a V8 with SEFI.

It's a V8 car.

And, I would get a new reference book. *grin*

 

If you have the production number, you should be able to type it into carfax and it will give you the basic info (make, model, year and engine) without having to pay for a full report. I tried running just the digits you gave but it won't do a partial VIN.

 

1FA = Ford Passenger Car
B = Active belts (i.e. regular seat belts, no airbag)
P = Passenger car
41 = LX Hatch
E = 5.0
K = Check digit...means nothing to you
F = Model Year 1989


All of this is from mustanggt.org

 

Great info!

Here's the complete VIN: 1FABP41E4KF152360

I'm really looking for a notchback to replace the one I idiotically sold 2 years ago but this hatch is priced right and is in decent shape... still, I love that notchback style. Decisions, decisions...

 

I used the free carfax, that shows how many records there are...it has 13 for this car. This isnt really as bad as it seems, because records are things like title transfers/issues such as a lost title, lein situations, "passed emissions"/got inspected, reported mileage..etc.. 13 really isnt all that much, as long as it doesnt have a salvage title, and doesnt look like its been wrecked/repainted it should be fine

 

Not bad unless all 13 records are for major accidents.

Too bad I don't know anyone who could run a full Carfax on the car...

 

VIN ResultsNew SearchVIN: 1FABP41E4KF152360
World Manufacturer Identifier - 1st, 2nd, 3rd Positions VIN Code:1FAAssembly Country:USA Make:Ford Body Style:Sedan Restraint System Type (Passenger Cars) or Brake Type and GVWR Class (Trucks and Vans) - 4th Position VIN Code:BRestraint:BELT, ACTIVE Line,Series Body Type - 5th, 6th, 7th Positions VIN Code:P41Vehicle Line:Mustang Series:LX Vehicle Type:Car/Minivan Engine Type - 8th Position VIN Code:EEngine:5 L Cylinders:8 Fuel:Gasoline Horsepower:225 HORSEPOWER Model Year - 10th Position VIN Code:KModel Year:1989 Assembly Plant - 11th Position VIN Code:FAssembly PlantEARBORN: DEARBORN, MI Production Sequence Number - 12th - 17th VIN Code:152360Prod Sequence Number152360 I know but i's what you get when you put that one in ?

 

I decided to pass on the car. The hatchbacks just don't do it for me like the notchbacks do so the hunt continues!

 

a turboford member (t-bird88) had an unlimited carfax hes letting us use


It turned up no reports of accidents, just a bunch of title renewals, and one new owner reported, so it may not have been a bad buy, but you said youre more of a notch guy....and i can totally understand that

 

Hmm, only one previous owner and no accidents? Maybe this notchback guy could be persuaded to become a hatchback guy after all.

 

Advice taken! Bought the Official Mustang 5.0 Technical Reference and Performance Handbook by Al Kirschenbaum. Much better book!

 

Now why would you want to do that?

 

It would be good raw material to build a sweet Cobra clone!



It is already red after all...

 

Cobra clone FTW!!!!

 

Ooh, found another. Can someone run this VIN: 1FACP41E5NF108151 Thanks!

 

this is all I can get out of carfax without paying for a report:
VIN 1FACP41E5NF108151 Year/Make/Model: 1992 FORD MUSTANG LX Body Style: HATCHBACK 2 DR Engine Type: 5.0L V8 SFI Manufactured In: UNITED STATES Search Results: 21 records found in our database

 

Everything looked good yet again, it didnt say how many owners the car had, but last reported mileage was 119,303, in 2004

 

Thanks but I have decided to stick to my guns and search for the elusive mint notchback!

 

Looking for stock or mod ? Canadian or U.S. model ?