Mercury VIN Decoder 1950-1976: Classic Serial Numbers

Where's my serial number?

Late 1960s and later: usually on a small plate on the dashboard, visible through the windshield on the driver's side.
Earlier cars: it varies by make and year. Common places are the driver's door pillar or hinge post, the steering column, the firewall, or near the glove box. Each make's page lists what our sources say.
Paperwork: your title and registration also show it.

Example: 55SL106534M (an example Mercury serial).

Years we cover

1950-1957, 1960-1971, 1975-1976. Not covered yet: 1958-1959, 1972-1974.

What a Mercury serial looks like, by year

Each example below is split into numbered groups of characters, with what each group means. Example numbers show the layout; they are not a specific car.

1950-1957

Looks like 55SL106534M (11 characters)

1 Model year (two digits)	55: 1955 [OCW] [CL55]
2 Assembly plant (two letters)	SL: St. Louis unconfirmed [CL55]
3 Consecutive unit number	106534 [OCW]
4 Make letter	M: Mercury [OCW]

Where sources disagree

1949 Mercury plates (series prefix 9CM, 1950 prefix 0CM per club forum posts) use a different layout and are not encoded.

Old Cars Weekly: the Mercury and Lincoln system from 1950 is model year, assembly plant, unit number, then a make letter (M Mercury, H Lincoln). Lincoln units started at 5001 and Mercury at 10001 in 1950. Lincoln used a suffix letter L in 1956 and 1957. The Continental Mark II had its own serial composition (not encoded). Mercury and Lincoln adopted Ford's ten-character system in 1958.

The article gives no plant codes or engine letters for these years, so only the structure is decoded.

Example 55SL106534M is the number shown on a sale listing for a 1955 Montclair.

All model year (two digits) codes (8)

50	1950 unconfirmed Old Cars Weekly says the 1950 system continued through 1957 and begins with the model year; a two-digit year was seen in examples for 1955 only. [OCW]
51	1951 unconfirmed Old Cars Weekly says the 1950 system continued through 1957 and begins with the model year; a two-digit year was seen in examples for 1955 only. [OCW]
52	1952 unconfirmed Old Cars Weekly says the 1950 system continued through 1957 and begins with the model year; a two-digit year was seen in examples for 1955 only. [OCW]
53	1953 unconfirmed Old Cars Weekly says the 1950 system continued through 1957 and begins with the model year; a two-digit year was seen in examples for 1955 only. [OCW]
54	1954 unconfirmed Old Cars Weekly says the 1950 system continued through 1957 and begins with the model year; a two-digit year was seen in examples for 1955 only. [OCW]
55	1955 [OCW] [CL55]
56	1956 unconfirmed Old Cars Weekly says the 1950 system continued through 1957 and begins with the model year; a two-digit year was seen in examples for 1955 only. [OCW]
57	1957 unconfirmed Old Cars Weekly says the 1950 system continued through 1957 and begins with the model year; a two-digit year was seen in examples for 1955 only. [OCW]

Sources: [OCW] [CL55]

1960

Looks like 0H01S800001 (11 characters)

1 Model year digit	0: 1960 [MS60C]
2 Assembly plant	H: Lorain, Ohio [MS60C]
3 Body serial (model) code	01: 2-door sedan (style 62A) [MS60C]
4 Engine	S: 6 cyl 144 cu in OHV [MS60C]
5 Consecutive unit number	800001 [MS60C]

Where sources disagree

The body codes 01, 02, 06, 07 and plants H, K, R, T are also the 1960 Falcon's; the page's 800001 start is what marks it as Comet. Not independently confirmed from a second source.
Ford, Mercury and Lincoln numbers share this layout; the make is told apart by the sequence number range. Sources give the starting numbers (Ford 100001, Mercury 500001, Lincoln and Comet 800001); where each range ends is our assumption. Check the make on the car itself.

Page is titled 1960 Comet; it states the consecutive unit number begins at 800001 at each plant. Position layout is described in words by the page (model year, plant letter, two-digit body, engine letter, unit number); the example is constructed from that description.

The Comet was sold through Lincoln-Mercury dealers; it is filed under Mercury here.

All assembly plant codes (4)

H	Lorain, Ohio [MS60C]
K	Kansas City, Missouri [MS60C]
R	San Jose, California [MS60C]
T	Metuchen, New Jersey [MS60C]

All body serial (model) code codes (4)

01	2-door sedan (style 62A) [MS60C]
02	4-door sedan (style 54A) [MS60C]
06	2-door station wagon (style 59A) [MS60C]
07	4-door station wagon (style 71A) [MS60C]

All engine codes (2)

S	6 cyl 144 cu in OHV [MS60C]
D	6 cyl 144 cu in OHV, low compression (84 octane) [MS60C]

Sources: [MS60C]

1961

Looks like 1H11S800001 (11 characters)

1 Model year digit	1: 1961 [MS61C]
2 Assembly plant	H: Lorain, Ohio [MS61C]
3 Body serial (model) code	11: 2-door sedan (style 62A) [MS61C]
4 Engine	S: 6 cyl 144 cu in OHV 1V [MS61C]
5 Consecutive unit number	800001 [MS61C]

Where sources disagree

Ford, Mercury and Lincoln numbers share this layout; the make is told apart by the sequence number range. Sources give the starting numbers (Ford 100001, Mercury 500001, Lincoln and Comet 800001); where each range ends is our assumption. Check the make on the car itself.

Comet, sold through Lincoln-Mercury; unit numbers begin at 800001 (page). The page describes the patent-plate serial in words without a position-by-position example.

All assembly plant codes (3)

H	Lorain, Ohio [MS61C]
K	Kansas City, Missouri [MS61C]
R	San Jose, California [MS61C]

All body serial (model) code codes (5)

11	2-door sedan (style 62A) [MS61C]
12	4-door sedan (style 54A) [MS61C]
17	2-door sedan S-22 (style 62A) [MS61C]
21	2-door station wagon (style 59A) [MS61C]
22	4-door station wagon (style 71A) [MS61C]

All engine codes (4)

S	6 cyl 144 cu in OHV 1V [MS61C]
D	144 cu in, low compression (84 octane) [MS61C]
U	6 cyl 170 cu in OHV 1V [MS61C]
E	170 cu in, low compression (84 octane) [MS61C]

Sources: [MS61C]

1961

Looks like 1W32X500001 (11 characters)

1 Model year digit	1: 1961 [MS61M]
2 Assembly plant	W: Wayne, Michigan [MS61M]
3 Engine	X: 352 cu in 2V [MS61M]
4 Consecutive unit number	500001 [MS61M]

Where sources disagree

Ford, Mercury and Lincoln numbers share this layout; the make is told apart by the sequence number range. Sources give the starting numbers (Ford 100001, Mercury 500001, Lincoln and Comet 800001); where each range ends is our assumption. Check the make on the car itself.

The 1961 Mercury Maintenance Manual scan was read by OCR; plant and engine lists were legible. The body-series table was too garbled to use, so body codes are a gap. Serial layout per the manual: model year, plant letter, body identification number, engine letter, consecutive unit number. Unit number range 5xxxxx is assumed from the 1960 and 1963-66 Mercury pages.

All assembly plant codes (4)

E	Mahwah, New Jersey [MS61M]
J	Los Angeles, California [MS61M]
Z	St. Louis, Missouri [MS61M]
W	Wayne, Michigan [MS61M]

All engine codes (6)

R	292 cu in 2V (low compression, export only) [MS61M]
T	390 cu in 4V (low compression, export only) [MS61M]
V	223 cu in 1V (six) [MS61M]
W	292 cu in 2V [MS61M]
X	352 cu in 2V [MS61M]
Z	390 cu in 4V [MS61M]

Sources: [MS61M]

1962

Looks like 2W52Z500001 (11 characters)

1 Model year digit	2: 1962 [MS62M]
2 Body serial (model) code	52: Monterey 4-door sedan (style 54A) unconfirmed [MS62M]
3 Consecutive unit number	500001 [MS62M]

Where sources disagree

Ford, Mercury and Lincoln numbers share this layout; the make is told apart by the sequence number range. Sources give the starting numbers (Ford 100001, Mercury 500001, Lincoln and Comet 800001); where each range ends is our assumption. Check the make on the car itself.

1962 Mercury Monterey supplement, read by OCR (legible but scanned); the 1962 supplement says the patent plate is basically a 1961 carryover. Plant and engine codes for 1962 were not found; 1961 lists may apply but are not asserted. Unit-number range 5xxxxx is assumed from adjacent years.

All body serial (model) code codes (9)

51	Monterey 2-door sedan (style 62A) unconfirmed [MS62M]
52	Monterey 4-door sedan (style 54A) unconfirmed [MS62M]
53	Monterey 2-door hardtop (style 65A) unconfirmed [MS62M]
62	Monterey Custom 4-door sedan (style 54B) unconfirmed [MS62M]
63	Monterey Custom 2-door hardtop (style 65B) unconfirmed [MS62M]
64	Monterey Custom 4-door hardtop (style 75B) unconfirmed [MS62M]
65	Monterey Custom 2-door convertible (style 76A) unconfirmed [MS62M]
72	Commuter 4-door wagon unconfirmed [MS62M]
76	Colony Park 4-door wagon unconfirmed [MS62M]

Sources: [MS62M]

1963

Looks like 3W53Y500001 (11 characters)

1 Model year digit	3: 1963 [MS63M]
2 Assembly plant	W: Wayne [MS63M]
3 Body serial (model) code	53: Monterey 4-door hardtop (page's own example labels it 2-door hardtop) [MS63M]
4 Engine	Y: 390 cu in V8 2-barrel [MS63M]
5 Consecutive unit number	500001 [MS63M]

Where sources disagree

The page's own worked example labels W as 'Pilot Plant' and 53 as '2-door hardtop', but its tables list W = Wayne, S = Pilot Plant and 53 = 4-door hardtop. We show the tables.
Ford, Mercury and Lincoln numbers share this layout; the make is told apart by the sequence number range. Sources give the starting numbers (Ford 100001, Mercury 500001, Lincoln and Comet 800001); where each range ends is our assumption. Check the make on the car itself.

From the 1963 Monterey page (U.S. built). Each plant starts each model year at 500001. The Comet and Meteor 1963 pages were not decoded; they are gaps.

All assembly plant codes (4)

E	Mahwah [MS63M]
S	Pilot Plant [MS63M]
W	Wayne [MS63M]
Z	St. Louis [MS63M]

All body serial (model) code codes (15)

51	Monterey 2-door sedan [MS63M]
52	Monterey 4-door sedan [MS63M]
53	Monterey 4-door hardtop (page's own example labels it 2-door hardtop) [MS63M]
54	Monterey 4-door hardtop [MS63M]
57	Monterey 2-door fastback hardtop [MS63M]
60	Monterey Custom S-55 4-door hardtop [MS63M]
62	Monterey Custom 4-door sedan [MS63M]
63	Monterey Custom special 2-door hardtop [MS63M]
64	Monterey Custom special 4-door hardtop [MS63M]
65	Monterey Custom 2-door convertible [MS63M]
66	Monterey Custom 2-door fastback hardtop [MS63M]
67	Monterey Custom S-55 2-door hardtop [MS63M]
68	Monterey Custom S-55 2-door fastback hardtop [MS63M]
69	Monterey Custom S-55 2-door convertible [MS63M]
76	Colony Park 4-door wagon (6 or 9 passenger; code listed once for each) [MS63M]

All engine codes (6)

9	390 cu in V8 4-barrel, low compression [MS63M]
B	406 cu in V8 4-barrel High Performance [MS63M]
G	406 cu in V8 6-barrel High Performance [MS63M]
P	390 cu in V8 4-barrel Interceptor [MS63M]
Y	390 cu in V8 2-barrel [MS63M]
Z	390 cu in V8 4-barrel [MS63M]

Sources: [MS63M]

1964

Looks like 4H12F500001 (11 characters)

1 Model year digit	4: 1964 [SM64]
2 Assembly plant	H: Lorain [SM64]
3 Body serial code	12: Comet 404 4-door sedan, bench seat (54B); the manual's worked example [SM64]
4 Engine letter	F: 8-cylinder 260 cu in [SM64]
5 Consecutive unit number (500001 start)	500001 [SM64]

Source: the Comet section of the Ford "1964 Comet and Falcon Shop Manual". Each plant begins each model year at 500001. The manual lists one more wagon body (a woodrail wagon) whose serial code the OCR lost, so that code shows as not listed.

The body list on the scan is partly garbled; entries are flagged unconfirmed unless they are in the manual's worked example.

All assembly plant codes (6)

H	Lorain Stated in the manual's worked example ("Lorain Assembly Plant"). [SM64]
R	San Jose [SM64]
T	Metuchen [SM64]
A	Atlanta unconfirmed The scan lists Atlanta, Lorain, Kansas City, San Jose, Pilot Plant and Metuchen but the OCR lost most letters; A, K and S are inferred from usual Ford letters and the list order. [SM64]
K	Kansas City unconfirmed See Atlanta note. [SM64]
S	Pilot Plant unconfirmed See Atlanta note. [SM64]

All body serial code codes (9)

11	Comet 404 2-door sedan (62B bench, 62D bucket) unconfirmed Read from the OCR text of a scanned shop manual page; digits may be misread. [SM64]
12	Comet 404 4-door sedan, bench seat (54B); the manual's worked example [SM64]
22	Caliente 4-door sedan (54D) unconfirmed Read from the OCR text of a scanned shop manual page; digits may be misread. [SM64]
23	Caliente 2-door hardtop (63C/63D) unconfirmed Read from the OCR text of a scanned shop manual page; digits may be misread. [SM64]
25	Caliente convertible (76B/76D) unconfirmed Read from the OCR text of a scanned shop manual page; digits may be misread. [SM64]
32	Comet 202 station wagon, 4-door (71A) unconfirmed Read from the OCR text of a scanned shop manual page; digits may be misread. [SM64]
34	Comet 404 station wagon, 4-door (71B) unconfirmed Read from the OCR text of a scanned shop manual page; digits may be misread. [SM64]
01	Comet 202 2-door sedan, bench seat (62A) unconfirmed Read from the OCR text of a scanned shop manual page; digits may be misread. [SM64]
02	Comet 202 4-door sedan, bench seat (54A) unconfirmed Read from the OCR text of a scanned shop manual page; digits may be misread. [SM64]

Sources: [SM64]

1964

Looks like 4W42Y500001 (11 characters)

1 Model year digit	4: 1964 [MS64M]
2 Assembly plant	W: Wayne [MS64M]
3 Body serial (model) code	42: Monterey 4-door sedan [MS64M]
4 Engine	Y: 390 cu in V8 2-barrel [MS64M]
5 Consecutive unit number	500001 [MS64M]

Where sources disagree

Ford, Mercury and Lincoln numbers share this layout; the make is told apart by the sequence number range. Sources give the starting numbers (Ford 100001, Mercury 500001, Lincoln and Comet 800001); where each range ends is our assumption. Check the make on the car itself.

The page lists plants S, Z and W only; other plants that may have built Mercurys in 1964 are not listed in this source. Each plant starts at 500001. The 1964 Comet/Meteor pages were not decoded (gap).

All assembly plant codes (3)

S	Pilot Plant [MS64M]
W	Wayne [MS64M]
Z	St. Louis [MS64M]

All body serial (model) code codes (18)

41	Monterey 2-door sedan [MS64M]
42	Monterey 4-door sedan [MS64M]
43	Monterey 2-door hardtop [MS64M]
45	Monterey 2-door convertible [MS64M]
47	Monterey 2-door hardtop fastback [MS64M]
48	Monterey 4-door hardtop fastback [MS64M]
52	Montclair 4-door sedan [MS64M]
53	Montclair 2-door hardtop [MS64M]
57	Montclair 2-door hardtop fastback [MS64M]
58	Montclair 4-door hardtop fastback [MS64M]
62	Park Lane 4-door sedan [MS64M]
63	Park Lane 2-door hardtop [MS64M]
64	Park Lane 4-door hardtop [MS64M]
65	Park Lane 2-door convertible [MS64M]
67	Park Lane 2-door hardtop fastback [MS64M]
68	Park Lane 4-door fastback [MS64M]
72	Commuter 4-door wagon (6 or 9 passenger; code listed twice) [MS64M]
76	Colony Park 4-door wagon (6 or 9 passenger; code listed twice) [MS64M]

All engine codes (7)

9	390 cu in V8 4-barrel, low compression [MS64M]
H	390 cu in V8 2-barrel special [MS64M]
P	390 cu in V8 4-barrel police [MS64M]
Q	427 cu in V8 4-barrel High Performance [MS64M]
R	427 cu in V8 8-barrel High Performance [MS64M]
Y	390 cu in V8 2-barrel [MS64M]
Z	390 cu in V8 4-barrel [MS64M]

Sources: [MS64M]

1965

Looks like 5W44Y500001 (11 characters)

1 Model year digit	5: 1965 [MS65]
2 Assembly plant	W: Wayne [MS65]
3 Body serial (model) code	44: Monterey 4-door sedan [MS65]
4 Engine	Y: 390 cu in V8 2-barrel [MS65]
5 Consecutive unit number	500001 [MS65]

Where sources disagree

Source row for Park Lane body serial 65, style 76F, is labelled '4-Door Sedan' but 76F is a convertible style; we give the convertible reading and flag it.
Ford, Mercury and Lincoln numbers share this layout; the make is told apart by the sequence number range. Sources give the starting numbers (Ford 100001, Mercury 500001, Lincoln and Comet 800001); where each range ends is our assumption. Check the make on the car itself.

Full-size 1965 Mercury. Comet 1965 page not decoded (gap). Each plant starts at 500001.

All assembly plant codes (18)

A	Atlanta [MS65]
D	Dallas [MS65]
E	Mahwah [MS65]
F	Dearborn [MS65]
G	Chicago [MS65]
H	Lorain [MS65]
J	Los Angeles [MS65]
K	Kansas City [MS65]
L	Michigan Truck [MS65]
N	Norfolk [MS65]
P	Twin Cities [MS65]
R	San Jose [MS65]
S	Pilot Plant [MS65]
T	Metuchen [MS65]
U	Louisville [MS65]
W	Wayne [MS65]
Y	Wixom [MS65]
Z	St. Louis [MS65]

All body serial (model) code codes (14)

42	Monterey 4-door sedan, reverse back window [MS65]
43	Monterey 2-door sedan [MS65]
44	Monterey 4-door sedan [MS65]
45	Monterey 2-door convertible (style 76A bench, 76G bucket) [MS65]
47	Monterey 2-door hardtop fastback (style 63A bench, 63G bucket) [MS65]
48	Monterey 4-door hardtop fastback [MS65]
52	Montclair 4-door sedan, reverse back window [MS65]
57	Montclair 2-door hardtop fastback [MS65]
58	Montclair 4-door hardtop fastback [MS65]
62	Park Lane 4-door sedan, reverse back window [MS65]
65	Park Lane convertible (page labels one row '4-door sedan'; style 76F, 76C bucket) [MS65]
67	Park Lane 2-door hardtop fastback (style 63F, 63C bucket) [MS65]
72	Commuter 4-door wagon (6 or 9 passenger) [MS65]
76	Colony Park 4-door wagon (6 or 9 passenger) [MS65]

All engine codes (13)

3	289 cu in V8 4-barrel, low compression [MS65]
5	240 cu in six, low compression [MS65]
9	390 cu in V8 4-barrel, low compression [MS65]
C	289 cu in V8 4-barrel premium (full-size car; the Mustang's C is a different engine, see Mustang 1964.5-1965) [MS65]
H	390 cu in V8 2-barrel special [MS65]
L	427 cu in V8 4-barrel overhead cam [MS65]
M	427 cu in V8 8-barrel overhead cam [MS65]
P	390 cu in V8 4-barrel special [MS65]
R	427 cu in V8 8-barrel High Performance [MS65]
V	240 cu in six 1-barrel [MS65]
X	352 cu in V8 4-barrel [MS65]
Y	390 cu in V8 2-barrel [MS65]
Z	390 cu in V8 4-barrel [MS65]

Sources: [MS65]

1966

Looks like 6R22C500001 (11 characters)

1 Model year digit	6: 1966 [SM66]
2 Assembly plant	R: San Jose [SM66]
3 Body serial code (Comet)	22: Comet Caliente 4-door sedan (54D) [SM66]
4 Engine letter	C: 8-cylinder 289 cu in 2V [SM66]
5 Consecutive unit number (500001 start)	500001 [SM66]

Where sources disagree

Body codes 01 and 02 are used by both Falcon and Comet in 1966; only the unit number (100001 start versus 500001 start) separates them, per the manual.

Source: 1966 Ford Cougar, Falcon, Fairlane and Mustang Shop Manual, Comet pages. The 1966 Mercury full-size and Montego formats in ford.json use different body codes.

The engine table in the manual is shared by Falcon, Fairlane, Mustang and Comet; the manual does not say which engines each line offered. The example is built from the code tables (not a recorded vehicle).

All assembly plant codes (20)

A	Atlanta [SM66]
B	Oakville (Canada) [SM66]
C	Ontario Truck [SM66]
D	Dallas [SM66]
E	Mahwah [SM66]
F	Dearborn [SM66]
G	Chicago [SM66]
H	Lorain [SM66]
J	Los Angeles [SM66]
K	Kansas City [SM66]
L	Michigan Truck [SM66]
N	Norfolk [SM66]
P	Twin Cities [SM66]
R	San Jose [SM66]
S	Pilot Plant (Allen Park) [SM66]
T	Metuchen [SM66]
U	Louisville [SM66]
W	Wayne [SM66]
Y	Wixom [SM66]
Z	St. Louis [SM66]

All body serial code (comet) codes (11)

12	Comet Capri 4-door sedan (54B) [SM66]
13	Comet Capri 2-door hardtop (63B) [SM66]
16	Comet Capri 4-door Villager wagon (71C) [SM66]
22	Comet Caliente 4-door sedan (54D) [SM66]
23	Comet Caliente 2-door hardtop (63C/63D) [SM66]
25	Comet Caliente 2-door convertible (76B/76D) [SM66]
27	Comet Cyclone 2-door hardtop (63E; GT 63H) [SM66]
29	Comet Cyclone 2-door convertible (76C; GT 76H) [SM66]
01	Comet 202 2-door sedan (62A) [SM66]
02	Comet 202 4-door sedan (54A) [SM66]
06	Comet 202 4-door wagon (71A) [SM66]

All engine letter codes (8)

2	6-cylinder 200 cu in (low compression) Footnote "Low Compression" in the manual's engine table (OCR). [SM66]
3	8-cylinder 289 cu in 2V (low compression) Footnote "Low Compression" in the manual's engine table (OCR). [SM66]
A	8-cylinder 289 cu in 4V Premium [SM66]
C	8-cylinder 289 cu in 2V [SM66]
K	8-cylinder 289 cu in 4V High Performance [SM66]
T	6-cylinder 200 cu in 1V [SM66]
Y	8-cylinder 390 cu in 2V [SM66]
Z	8-cylinder 390 cu in 4V [SM66]

Sources: [SM66]

1966

Looks like 6W44Y500001 (11 characters)

1 Model year digit	6: 1966 [MS66M]
2 Assembly plant	W: Wayne [MS66M]
3 Body serial (model) code	44: Monterey 4-door sedan (style 54A) [MS66M]
4 Engine	Y: 390 cu in V8 2-barrel [MS66M]
5 Consecutive unit number	500001 [MS66M]

Where sources disagree

The page's heading 'Body Codes on the Warranty Plate' vs 'Body Serial Codes by Model' blocks differ; we use the serial-code table.
Ford, Mercury and Lincoln numbers share this layout; the make is told apart by the sequence number range. Sources give the starting numbers (Ford 100001, Mercury 500001, Lincoln and Comet 800001); where each range ends is our assumption. Check the make on the car itself.

Full-size 1966 Mercury only; plants listed are S, Z and W. Each plant starts at 500001. 1966 Ford and Comet are gaps.

All assembly plant codes (3)

S	Pilot Plant [MS66M]
W	Wayne [MS66M]
Z	St. Louis [MS66M]

All body serial (model) code codes (17)

42	Monterey 4-door sedan, reverse back window (style 50A) [MS66M]
43	Monterey 2-door sedan (style 62A) [MS66M]
44	Monterey 4-door sedan (style 54A) [MS66M]
45	Monterey 2-door convertible (style 76A) [MS66M]
46	S-55 2-door convertible, bucket seats (style 76G) [MS66M]
47	Monterey 2-door hardtop fastback (style 63A) [MS66M]
48	Monterey 4-door hardtop fastback (style 57A) [MS66M]
49	S-55 2-door hardtop fastback, bucket seats (style 63G) [MS66M]
54	Montclair 4-door sedan (style 54B) [MS66M]
57	Montclair 2-door hardtop fastback (style 63B) [MS66M]
58	Montclair 4-door hardtop fastback (style 57B) [MS66M]
62	Park Lane 4-door sedan, reverse back window (style 50F) [MS66M]
65	Park Lane 2-door convertible (style 76F; 76C bucket) [MS66M]
67	Park Lane 2-door hardtop fastback (style 63F; 63C bucket) [MS66M]
68	Park Lane 4-door hardtop fastback (style 57F) [MS66M]
72	Commuter 4-door wagon (6 or 9 passenger) [MS66M]
76	Colony Park 4-door wagon (6 or 9 passenger) [MS66M]

All engine codes (6)

8	428 cu in V8 4-barrel, low compression [MS66M]
H	390 cu in V8 2-barrel special [MS66M]
Y	390 cu in V8 2-barrel [MS66M]
M	410 cu in V8 4-barrel [MS66M]
Q	428 cu in V8 4-barrel [MS66M]
P	428 cu in V8 8-barrel high-performance police (as titled by the source) [MS66M]

Sources: [MS66M]

1967

Looks like 7F91A500001 (11 characters)

1 Model year digit	7: 1967 [CCA]
2 Assembly plant	F: Dearborn, Michigan [CCA]
3 Body serial (model) code	91: Cougar standard hardtop [CCA]
4 Engine	A: 289 cu in 4V [CCA]
5 Consecutive unit number	500001 [CCA]

Where sources disagree

Ford, Mercury and Lincoln numbers share this layout; the make is told apart by the sequence number range. Sources give the starting numbers (Ford 100001, Mercury 500001, Lincoln and Comet 800001); where each range ends is our assumption. Check the make on the car itself.

Cougar owner-site decoder (single source). Unit numbers restart at 500001 each model year (subtract 500000 for build position). The 1967 VIN was stamped on the inner fender; 1968 on an aluminum dash tag (same site).

All assembly plant codes (2)

F	Dearborn, Michigan [CCA]
R	San Jose, California [CCA]

All body serial (model) code codes (4)

91	Cougar standard hardtop [CCA]
92	Cougar standard convertible [CCA]
93	Cougar XR-7 hardtop [CCA]
94	Cougar XR-7 convertible [CCA]

All engine codes (3)

A	289 cu in 4V [CCA]
C	289 cu in 2V [CCA]
S	390 cu in 4V GT [CCA]

Sources: [CCA]

1968

Looks like 8Z54Y500001 (11 characters)

1 Model year digit	8: 1968 [MS68]
2 Assembly plant	Z: St. Louis [MS68]
3 Body serial (model) code	54: Montclair 4-door sedan (style 54C or 54D) [MS68]
4 Engine	Y: 8 cyl 390 cu in 2V [MS68]
5 Consecutive unit number	500001 [MS68]

Where sources disagree

Ford, Mercury and Lincoln numbers share this layout; the make is told apart by the sequence number range. Sources give the starting numbers (Ford 100001, Mercury 500001, Lincoln and Comet 800001); where each range ends is our assumption. Check the make on the car itself.

Full-size 1968 Mercury (Monterey, Montclair, Park Lane, Marquis, wagons). Comet, Montego and Cougar (separate format) are gaps for 1968 except Cougar engines below. Each plant starts at 500001.

All assembly plant codes (21)

A	Atlanta [MS68]
B	Oakville (Canada) [MS68]
C	Ontario Truck [MS68]
D	Dallas [MS68]
E	Mahwah [MS68]
F	Dearborn [MS68]
G	Chicago [MS68]
H	Lorain [MS68]
J	Los Angeles [MS68]
K	Kansas City [MS68]
L	Michigan Truck [MS68]
N	Norfolk [MS68]
P	Twin Cities [MS68]
R	San Jose [MS68]
S	Pilot Plant [MS68]
T	Metuchen [MS68]
U	Louisville [MS68]
W	Wayne [MS68]
X	St. Thomas [MS68]
Y	Wixom [MS68]
Z	St. Louis [MS68]

All body serial (model) code codes (14)

44	Monterey 4-door sedan (style 54A fixed back window or 54B drop back window) [MS68]
45	Monterey 2-door convertible (style 76A) [MS68]
47	Monterey 2-door hardtop (style 63A) [MS68]
48	Monterey 4-door hardtop (style 57A) [MS68]
54	Montclair 4-door sedan (style 54C or 54D) [MS68]
57	Montclair 2-door hardtop (style 63B) [MS68]
58	Montclair 4-door hardtop (style 57B) [MS68]
64	Park Lane 4-door sedan (style 54E; Brougham 54J) [MS68]
65	Park Lane 2-door convertible (style 76F) [MS68]
67	Park Lane 2-door hardtop (style 63F) [MS68]
68	Park Lane 4-door (style 57F; Brougham hardtop 57C) [MS68]
69	Marquis 2-door hardtop (style 63D) [MS68]
72	Commuter 4-door wagon (6 or 10 passenger) [MS68]
76	Colony Park 4-door wagon (6 or 10 passenger) [MS68]

All engine codes (13)

5	6 cyl 240 cu in 1V, low compression [MS68]
6	8 cyl 302 cu in 2V, low compression [MS68]
8	8 cyl 428 cu in 4V, low compression [MS68]
V	6 cyl 240 cu in 1V [MS68]
E	6 cyl 240 cu in 1V, taxi [MS68]
B	6 cyl 240 cu in 1V, police [MS68]
F	8 cyl 302 cu in 2V [MS68]
Y	8 cyl 390 cu in 2V [MS68]
X	8 cyl 390 cu in 2V, premium fuel [MS68]
Z	8 cyl 390 cu in 4V [MS68]
Q	8 cyl 428 cu in 4V [MS68]
P	8 cyl 428 cu in 4V, police [MS68]
W	8 cyl 428 cu in 4V, high performance [MS68]

Sources: [MS68]

1968

Looks like 8F91C500001 (11 characters)

1 Model year digit	8: 1968 [CCA]
2 Assembly plant	F: Dearborn, Michigan [CCA]
3 Body serial (model) code	91: Cougar standard hardtop [CCA]
4 Engine	C: 289 cu in 2V [CCA]
5 Consecutive unit number	500001 [CCA]

Where sources disagree

Ford, Mercury and Lincoln numbers share this layout; the make is told apart by the sequence number range. Sources give the starting numbers (Ford 100001, Mercury 500001, Lincoln and Comet 800001); where each range ends is our assumption. Check the make on the car itself.

All assembly plant codes (2)

F	Dearborn, Michigan [CCA]
R	San Jose, California [CCA]

All body serial (model) code codes (4)

91	Cougar standard hardtop [CCA]
92	Cougar standard convertible [CCA]
93	Cougar XR-7 hardtop [CCA]
94	Cougar XR-7 convertible [CCA]

All engine codes (7)

C	289 cu in 2V [CCA]
F	302 cu in 2V [CCA]
J	302 cu in 4V [CCA]
R	Cobra Jet 428 cu in 4V [CCA]
S	390 cu in 4V GT [CCA]
W	427 cu in 4V [CCA]
X	390 cu in 2V [CCA]

Sources: [CCA]

1969

Looks like 9F91G500001 (11 characters)

1 Model year digit	9: 1969 [CCA]
2 Assembly plant	F: Dearborn, Michigan [CCA]
3 Body serial (model) code	91: Cougar standard hardtop [CCA]
4 Engine	G: Boss 302 cu in 4V [CCA]
5 Consecutive unit number	500001 [CCA]

Where sources disagree

Ford, Mercury and Lincoln numbers share this layout; the make is told apart by the sequence number range. Sources give the starting numbers (Ford 100001, Mercury 500001, Lincoln and Comet 800001); where each range ends is our assumption. Check the make on the car itself.

All assembly plant codes (2)

F	Dearborn, Michigan [CCA]
R	San Jose, California [CCA]

All body serial (model) code codes (4)

91	Cougar standard hardtop [CCA]
92	Cougar standard convertible [CCA]
93	Cougar XR-7 hardtop [CCA]
94	Cougar XR-7 convertible [CCA]

All engine codes (6)

G	Boss 302 cu in 4V [CCA]
H	351 Windsor 2V [CCA]
M	351 Windsor 4V [CCA]
Q	Cobra Jet 428 cu in 4V [CCA]
R	Cobra Jet 428 cu in 4V Ram Air [CCA]
S	390 cu in 4V GT [CCA]

Sources: [CCA]

1970

Looks like 0W63H500001 (11 characters)

1 Model year digit	0: 1970 [MS70]
2 Assembly plant	W: Wayne [MS70]
3 Engine	H: 8 cyl 351 cu in 2V (Mustang source CI says 4V; see disputes) [MS70]
4 Consecutive unit number	500001 [MS70]

Where sources disagree

Engine H: 1970 shop manual OCR reads 351 cu in 2V; the Classic Industries Mustang decoder lists 1970 H as 351 4V (250 hp) and M as 351 4V (300 hp). Not resolved.
Plant D (Dallas) appears in the 1970 manual but is absent from the 1971 manual list.
Ford, Mercury and Lincoln numbers share this layout; the make is told apart by the sequence number range. Sources give the starting numbers (Ford 100001, Mercury 500001, Lincoln and Comet 800001); where each range ends is our assumption. Check the make on the car itself.

From the 1970 Car Shop Manual page (scanned, read by OCR; plant and engine lists legible, body tables too garbled to use, so body codes are a gap for 1970 except Mustang). Manual: year digit, assembly plant letter, two-digit body serial code, engine letter, six-digit consecutive unit number. Starting numbers: 100001 Ford, Fairlane, Falcon, Mustang, Thunderbird, Maverick; 500001 Mercury, Meteor, Montego, Cougar; 800001 Lincoln Continental and Mark III. The official VIN is on an aluminum tab on the instrument panel near the windshield, driver's side.

Sequence ranges used to tell makes apart: sources say each plant starts a model year at 100001 for Ford, 500001 for Mercury and 800001 for Lincoln/Comet. The upper bound of the Ford range [1-4] is our assumption, not a sourced limit.

All assembly plant codes (18)

A	Atlanta [MS70]
B	Oakville (Canada) [MS70]
D	Dallas [MS70]
E	Mahwah [MS70]
F	Dearborn [MS70]
G	Chicago [MS70]
H	Lorain [MS70]
J	Los Angeles [MS70]
K	Kansas City [MS70]
N	Norfolk [MS70]
P	Twin Cities [MS70]
R	San Jose [MS70]
S	Allen Park [MS70]
T	Metuchen [MS70]
U	Louisville [MS70]
W	Wayne [MS70]
X	St. Thomas [MS70]
Y	Wixom [MS70]

All engine codes (22)

2	6 cyl 200 cu in 1V, low compression [MS70]
3	6 cyl 250 cu in 1V, low compression [MS70]
5	6 cyl 240 cu in 1V, low compression [MS70]
6	8 cyl 302 cu in 2V, low compression [MS70]
U	6 cyl 170 cu in 1V [MS70]
T	6 cyl 200 cu in 1V [MS70]
L	6 cyl 250 cu in 1V [MS70]
V	6 cyl 240 cu in 1V [MS70]
B	6 cyl 240 cu in 1V, police [MS70]
E	6 cyl 240 cu in 1V, taxi [MS70]
F	8 cyl 302 cu in 2V [MS70]
G	8 cyl 302 cu in 4V, high output (Boss 302) [MS70]
H	8 cyl 351 cu in 2V (Mustang source CI says 4V; see disputes) [MS70]
M	8 cyl 351 cu in 4V [MS70]
Y	8 cyl 390 cu in 2V, regular fuel [MS70]
Q	8 cyl 428 cu in 4V Cobra Jet The OCR of the shop-manual line is partly garbled; Q/R as Cobra Jet / Ram Air agrees with the Mustang decoder. [MS70] [CI]
R	8 cyl 428 cu in 4V Cobra Jet Ram Air The OCR of the shop-manual line is partly garbled; Q/R as Cobra Jet / Ram Air agrees with the Mustang decoder. [MS70] [CI]
P	8 cyl 428 cu in 4V, police [MS70]
K	8 cyl 429 cu in 2V [MS70]
N	8 cyl 429 cu in 4V [MS70]
C	8 cyl 429 cu in 4V Cobra Jet [MS70]
A	8 cyl 460 cu in 4V [MS70]

Sources: [MS70]

1970

Looks like 0F91G500001 (11 characters)

1 Model year digit	0: 1970 [CCA]
2 Assembly plant	F: Dearborn, Michigan [CCA]
3 Body serial (model) code	91: Cougar standard hardtop [CCA]
4 Engine	G: Boss 302 cu in 4V [CCA]
5 Consecutive unit number	500001 [CCA]

Where sources disagree

Cougar 1970 engine H is 351 2V per this source; shop-manual OCR also reads H as 2V while the Mustang decoder reads 4V.
Ford, Mercury and Lincoln numbers share this layout; the make is told apart by the sequence number range. Sources give the starting numbers (Ford 100001, Mercury 500001, Lincoln and Comet 800001); where each range ends is our assumption. Check the make on the car itself.

All assembly plant codes (2)

F	Dearborn, Michigan [CCA]
R	San Jose, California [CCA]

All body serial (model) code codes (4)

91	Cougar standard hardtop [CCA]
92	Cougar standard convertible [CCA]
93	Cougar XR-7 hardtop [CCA]
94	Cougar XR-7 convertible [CCA]

All engine codes (4)

G	Boss 302 cu in 4V [CCA]
H	351 cu in 2V (Windsor or Cleveland) [CCA]
M	351 Cleveland 4V [CCA]
Q	Cobra Jet 428 cu in 4V [CCA]

Sources: [CCA]

1971

Looks like 1W66H500001 (11 characters)

1 Model year digit	1: 1971 [MS71]
2 Assembly plant	W: Wayne [MS71]
3 Body serial (model) code	66: Marquis 2-door hardtop (65H) [MS71]
4 Engine	H: 8 cyl 351 cu in 2V [MS71]
5 Consecutive unit number	500001 [MS71]

Where sources disagree

The Cougar owner decoder (FordMercuryCougarXR7.com) reads 1971 engine G as a 429 Cobra Jet 4V; the 1971 shop manual lists G as the 302 4V Boss and C as the 429 4V Cobra Jet. We show the shop manual.
The Classic Industries Mustang decoder reads 1971 engine R as the 351 Boss and Q as the 351 Cobra Jet (after May); the shop manual lists neither R nor those readings (it lists Q as 351 4V GT). Mustang owners should note this when decoding Q and R.
Ford, Mercury and Lincoln numbers share this layout; the make is told apart by the sequence number range. Sources give the starting numbers (Ford 100001, Mercury 500001, Lincoln and Comet 800001); where each range ends is our assumption. Check the make on the car itself.

From the 1971 warranty-plate page (U.S.). Layout: year digit, plant letter, two-digit body serial code, engine letter, six-digit consecutive unit number; plants start each model year at 100001 (Ford), 500001 (Mercury) or 800001 (Lincoln and Mark III). The official VIN is on a metal tab on the instrument panel near the windshield, driver's side; the Vehicle Certification label is on the rear face of the driver's door.

Codes marked with two style codes (Thunderbird 83, 84, 87) appear twice in the source table with different style codes; both readings are given.

All assembly plant codes (18)

A	Atlanta [MS71]
B	Oakville (Canada) [MS71]
E	Mahwah [MS71]
F	Dearborn [MS71]
G	Chicago [MS71]
H	Lorain [MS71]
J	Los Angeles [MS71]
K	Kansas City [MS71]
N	Norfolk [MS71]
P	Twin Cities [MS71]
R	San Jose [MS71]
S	Allen Park [MS71]
T	Metuchen [MS71]
U	Louisville [MS71]
W	Wayne [MS71]
X	St. Thomas [MS71]
Y	Wixom [MS71]
Z	St. Louis [MS71]

All body serial (model) code codes (45)

10	Montego MX Brougham 4-door sedan (54D) [MS71]
11	Montego MX Brougham 2-door hardtop (65D) [MS71]
12	Montego MX Brougham 4-door hardtop (57D) [MS71]
15	Cyclone 2-door hardtop (65F) [MS71]
16	Cyclone GT 2-door hardtop (65H) [MS71]
17	Cyclone Spoiler 2-door hardtop (65G) [MS71]
18	Montego MX Villager 4-door station wagon (71A) [MS71]
20	Meteor Rideau, Canada, 4-door sedan (53B) [MS71]
22	Meteor Rideau 500, Canada, 4-door sedan (53D) [MS71]
23	Meteor Rideau 500, Canada, 2-door hardtop formal (65D) [MS71]
25	Meteor Montcalm, Canada, 4-door sedan (53F) [MS71]
26	Meteor Montcalm, Canada, 2-door hardtop (65F) [MS71]
27	Meteor Montcalm, Canada, 4-door hardtop (57F) [MS71]
30	Comet Standard 4-door sedan (54B) [MS71]
31	Comet Standard 2-door sedan (62B) [MS71]
36	Meteor Rideau 500, Canada, 4-door wagon, 6 passenger (71D) [MS71]
38	Meteor Montcalm, Canada, 4-door wagon, 6 passenger (71F) [MS71]
40	Marquis, Canada only, 4-door hardtop sedan (53X) [MS71]
41	Marquis, Canada only, 2-door hardtop formal (65X) [MS71]
42	Marquis, Canada only, 4-door hardtop (57X) [MS71]
44	Monterey 4-door sedan (53B) [MS71]
46	Mercury 2-door hardtop (65B) [MS71]
48	Mercury 4-door hardtop (57B) [MS71]
54	Monterey Custom 4-door sedan (53F) [MS71]
56	Monterey Custom 2-door hardtop (65F) [MS71]
58	Monterey Custom 4-door hardtop (57F) [MS71]
62	Brougham 4-door hardtop sedan (53K) [MS71]
63	Marquis 4-door hardtop sedan (53H) [MS71]
64	Brougham 2-door hardtop (65K) [MS71]
66	Marquis 2-door hardtop (65H) [MS71]
67	Brougham 4-door hardtop (57K) [MS71]
68	Marquis 4-door hardtop (57H) [MS71]
72	Monterey Wagon 4-door, 6 passenger (71B) [MS71]
74	Marquis wagon 4-door, 6 passenger (71H) [MS71]
76	Marquis Colony Park wagon 4-door, 6 passenger (71K) [MS71]
91	Cougar Standard 2-door hardtop (65D) [MS71]
92	Cougar Standard convertible (76D) [MS71]
93	Cougar XR-7 Luxury 2-door hardtop (65F) [MS71]
94	Cougar XR-7 Luxury convertible (76F) [MS71]
01	Montego 2-door hardtop (65A) [MS71]
02	Montego 4-door sedan (54A) [MS71]
05	Montego 4-door hardtop (57B) [MS71]
06	Montego MX 4-door sedan (54B) [MS71]
07	Montego MX 2-door hardtop (65B) [MS71]
08	Montego MX 4-door station wagon (71C) [MS71]

All engine codes (23)

2	6 cyl 200 cu in 1V, low compression export [MS71]
3	6 cyl 250 cu in 1V, low compression export [MS71]
6	8 cyl 302 cu in 2V, low compression export [MS71]
U	6 cyl 170 cu in 1V [MS71]
T	6 cyl 200 cu in 1V [MS71]
L	6 cyl 250 cu in 1V [MS71]
V	6 cyl 240 cu in 1V [MS71]
B	6 cyl 240 cu in 1V, police [MS71]
E	6 cyl 240 cu in 1V, taxi [MS71]
F	8 cyl 302 cu in 2V [MS71]
D	8 cyl 302 cu in 2V, taxi [MS71]
G	8 cyl 302 cu in 4V Boss [MS71]
H	8 cyl 351 cu in 2V [MS71]
M	8 cyl 351 cu in 4V [MS71]
Q	8 cyl 351 cu in 4V (GT) [MS71]
Y	8 cyl 390 cu in 2V [MS71]
S	8 cyl 400 cu in 2V [MS71]
K	8 cyl 429 cu in 2V [MS71]
N	8 cyl 429 cu in 4V [MS71]
C	8 cyl 429 cu in 4V Cobra Jet [MS71]
J	8 cyl 429 cu in 4V Cobra Jet Ram Air [MS71]
P	8 cyl 429 cu in 4V, police [MS71]
A	8 cyl 460 cu in 4V [MS71]

Sources: [MS71]

1975-1976

Looks like 5A91H500001 (11 characters)

1 Model year digit	5: 1975 [SM75]
2 Assembly plant	A: Atlanta [SM75]
3 Body serial code (two digits; not decoded here)	91 [SM75]
4 Engine letter	H: 8-cylinder 351 cu in 2V [SM75]
5 Consecutive unit number	500001 [SM75]

Where sources disagree

The manual prints Y as 139 cu in (2.3 L) and Z as 169 cu in (2.8 L); a third-party decoder cited in ford.json gives 140 and 171 cu in. Printed values kept.

Source: Ford 1975-1976 Car Shop Manual, Part 10-01 (Vehicle Identification), which says the information applies to both model years. The official VIN is on a metal tab on the driver's side of the instrument panel, visible from outside, and the Vehicle Certification Label on the left front door lock face or pillar carries the same number.

Unit numbers begin at 100,001 for Mercury, Meteor, Montego, Cougar, Comet, Monarch and Bobcat (Mercury lines per this format's leading digit) as the manual groups them: 100,001 for Ford, Torino, Elite, Mustang, Thunderbird, Granada, Maverick and Pinto; 500,001 for Mercury, Meteor, Montego, Cougar, Comet, Monarch and Bobcat; 800,001 for Lincoln Continental and Continental Mark IV. The leading-digit ranges in the patterns are derived from those starts and are an assumption.

The manual has a Body Serial and Style Code table, but the two-column scan text is too garbled to align codes with models reliably, so body codes are shown raw. The engine table is one list for all makes; which engines each make offered is not stated.

The example is built from the code tables (not a recorded vehicle).

All model year digit codes (2)

5	1975 [SM75]
6	1976 [SM75]

All assembly plant codes (17)

A	Atlanta [SM75]
B	Oakville (Canada) [SM75]
E	Mahwah [SM75]
F	Dearborn [SM75]
G	Chicago [SM75]
H	Lorain [SM75]
J	Los Angeles [SM75]
K	Kansas City [SM75]
P	Twin Cities [SM75]
R	San Jose [SM75]
S	Allen Park (Pilot Plant) [SM75]
T	Metuchen [SM75]
U	Louisville [SM75]
W	Wayne [SM75]
X	St. Thomas (Canada) [SM75]
Y	Wixom [SM75]
Z	St. Louis [SM75]

All engine letter codes (9)

A	8-cylinder 460 cu in 4V [SM75]
C	8-cylinder 460 cu in 4V (Police) [SM75]
F	8-cylinder 302 cu in 2V [SM75]
H	8-cylinder 351 cu in 2V [SM75]
L	6-cylinder 250 cu in 1V [SM75]
S	8-cylinder 400 cu in 2V [SM75]
T	6-cylinder 200 cu in 1V [SM75]
Y	4-cylinder 2.3 litre 2V (printed as 139-2V) The shop manual prints the displacement as 139 cu in; 2.3 L is about 140 cu in. Printed value kept. [SM75]
Z	6-cylinder 2.8 litre 2V (printed as 169-2V) The shop manual prints 169 cu in; 2.8 L is about 171 cu in, which is what a third-party decoder uses for Mustang II. Printed value kept. [SM75]

Sources: [SM75]

What a serial number cannot tell you

It identifies what the factory recorded in the number: typically the model year, assembly plant, series or body and production sequence, and in some years the engine. It cannot confirm a car is original or numbers-matching. Compare stampings, body tags and documentation.

Mercury VIN decoder, 1950-1976

Where's my serial number?

Years we cover

What a Mercury serial looks like, by year

1950-1957

1960

1961

1961

1962

1963

1964

1964

1965

1966

1966

1967

1968

1968

1969

1970

1970

1971

1975-1976

What a serial number cannot tell you

Sources