Why Is The Vin Number So Important When Finding Classic Mustang Parts?

When you’re looking for parts for your Mustang, it can be extremely frustrating when the same part that fits one year of Mustang doesn’t fit yours. What gives? The key lies in deciphering the car’s VIN (Vehicle Identification Number) to identify exactly what model and year your Mustang is, so you can find the correct replacement parts. Don’t worry though - this decoder will take all the confusion out of it!

 

What is a vin number

You’ve likely seen it before, maybe on your driver’s license or on an insurance card: a long sequence of numbers and letters (e.g., JF1CS7876543210) that looks like a code or some sort of mysterious message from another planet. It’s not as scary as it may seem, though—it’s actually quite simple. A vehicle identification number (VIN) is a unique serial number that is given to every car, truck, motorcycle and other vehicle that has been sold in America since 1981. It usually has 17 characters or digits—for example, JF1CS7876543210—and contains information about what kind of car it is, who made it and where.

 

What does the vin number mean in general

It’s a 17-digit code that uniquely identifies your vehicle—but also provides important information about its year, model, and engine displacement. It can tell you what kind of fuel economy your car might get or whether it comes equipped with side airbags or anti-lock brakes. If you’re looking for classic Mustang parts, however, there’s one number in particular that could help you save time and money: the vin number. And if you don’t know how to decode it, here are some tips to help you find exactly what you need.

 

Where can I find my cars vin number

The vehicle identification number (VIN) can be found on any car's dashboard, and it is a unique identifier for that particular car. It's also located on your registration form. If you're trying to find parts online, you'll want to search by your VIN number, not your year and model of car. That way, when dealers say they don't have any parts available for your make and model, you won't waste time searching through irrelevant results. While it may seem like more work at first, learning how to use a VIN code will save you a lot of time in the long run!

 

How can I decode it when I find it

The engine VIN is located on a rectangular metal tag attached to one of your engine’s oil pans or cylinder heads. It should be positioned so that it’s easy to read. If you don’t see a label, you can often find it stamped into a flat spot on an aluminum part somewhere near your air filter box, oil filter housing, distributor and carburetor(s). Start by looking in places like underhood insulation, engine brackets and large bolts. If you still can’t find it there, check your owner's manual or ask your local dealership where they believe it is located. If those don't work either, call up your local junkyard to get more help.

 

How do you use it in finding classic mustang parts

This number contains information that lets us know exactly which year, make and model your car is. It also tells us what plant your car was manufactured in. This can help tremendously when ordering factory original parts for a classic mustang because we know right away which parts will fit your car and which ones won’t. While it’s common knowledge to many, not everyone knows how to use their VIN number to determine where they car was built and find correct classic mustang parts for their Ford vehicle. At Greg’s Mustangs and Shelbys, our Ford experts have tons of experience finding exact factory replacement parts for a specific make and model of Ford vehicle, such as your 1969 or 1968 classic mustang.

 

Tips on using your vin number when searching for classic mustang parts

The vin number is part of your classic mustang’s title, which means it can be found on any paperwork you have associated with your vehicle. The 17-digit code consists of letters and numbers. Its purpose is to identify your vehicle and its specs in case of an accident or other problem that requires police involvement. Each manufacturer uses a different system for their vin numbers, so knowing how to decode them will help save you time while shopping online or at a parts store. Your original car sales paperwork should list each field below

 

Conclusion

Although there are many ways to search for classic Mustang parts, it’s important to know that not all parts numbers are created equal. Some of them can provide you with erroneous information or, in some cases, no results at all. Because of that, it’s important to make sure you use your VIN number when shopping around for classic Mustang parts. Your vin number decoder allows you to be specific and accurate in your search, resulting in higher quality results and correct fitment. No matter what year or model you own, knowing how to use your VIN is a fundamental part of owning a classic Ford vehicle.