This number represents the scheduled sequence order.
The body series code was changed to "89" for the balance of 1962 production.
85 = Thunderbird Convertible (1962 through 1966) 87 = Thunderbird 2-door Landau (1962 through 1965) 87 = Thunderbird 2-door Town Landau (1966, no rear quarter window) 87 = Thunderbird 4-door Landau (1968 through 1971) 87 = Thunderbird 2-door hardtop (1972 through 1979) 87 = Thunderbird 2-door sedan (1980) 89 = Thunderbird 2-door Sports Roadster (1962-late and 1963) NOTE: The 1962 Thunderbird Sports Roadster body series code was "85" for the first 558 units produced, the last being 2Y85Z114640. They are not considered "Town Landaus" as in 1966. continuing to 9 = 1979 0 = 1980 Position #2 is the Assembly Plant Identification G = Chicago, Illinois H = Lorain, Ohio J = Los Angeles, California Y = Wixom, Michigan Positions #3 and #4 are the Body Series Code Identification 71 = Thunderbird 2-door hardtop (19) 73 = Thunderbird 2-door convertible (19) 81 = Thunderbird 2-door Town Hardtop (1966, no rear quarter window, steel roof) 81 = Thunderbird 2-door hardtop (1967) 82 = Thunderbird 2-door Landau (1967) 83 = Thunderbird 2-door hardtop (1962 through 1966, with rear quarter window) 83 = Thunderbird 2-door hardtop (1968 through 1971, with rear quarter window) 84 = Thunderbird 4-door Landau (1967) 84 = Thunderbird 2-door Landau (1968 through 1971) Note: 19 Thunderbird 2-door Landaus did not have a rear quarter window. It was then assigned a scheduled production date.
When a car was ordered, it was assigned a VIN with a Consecutive Unit Number. Position #1 is the Engine Identification C = 292 cubic inch, 2V, 212 horsepower V-8 D = 312 cubic inch, 4V, 245 horsepower V-8 E = 312 cubic inch, 2-4V, 270 horsepower V-8 F = 312 cubic inch, Supercharged, 300 horsepower V-8 G = 332 cubic inch low compression V-8 H = 352 cubic inch, 4V, 300 horsepower V-8 J = 430 cubic inch, 4V, 350 horsepower V-8 M = 292 cubic inch, 4V, 202 horsepower V-8 P = 292 cubic inch, 4V V-8 (horsepower varies by year and transmission application) P = 312 cubic inch, 4V 215 horsepower V-8 (Overdrive, 1956) P = 312 cubic inch, 4V 225 horsepower V-8 (Fordomatic, 1956) Position #2 is the Year Identification 5 = 1955, 6 = 1956, 7 = 1957, 8 = 1958, 9 = 1959 Position #3 is the Assembly Plant Identification F = Dearborn Michigan Y = Wixom, Michigan MEX = Mexico (these VINs have 12 positions like P6MEXH234567) Position #4 is the Body Series Code Identification H = 1955-1957 Thunderbird (no body style name used) H = 19 Thunderbird 2-door hardtop J = 19 Thunderbird 2-door convertible Positions #5 through #10 are the Consecutive Unit Number Ford Division Consecutive Unit Numbers begin at 100001 at each assembly plant.