1971 Mustang VIN Decoder
Last Updated February 23, 2024 | Kevin BrentRestoring a 1971 Mustang takes a lot of time and effort. But did you know that with just two numbers - the VIN and Data Plate - you can learn all about your specific Mustang? The using our 1971 Mustang VIN decoder can tell you what body style, paint color, interior trim, axle ratio, and transmission your 71' Mustang came with. You can learn the engine code from the VIN. By decoding your 1971 Mustang's VIN and data plate, you can bring your pony back to its original condition.
If you'd rather just type in your data plate information instead of looking through the tables below, use our classic Mustang data plate decoder.
1971 Mustang VIN Number Location
The easiest place to find the VIN for your 1971 Mustang is under the hood on the driver's side fender apron. If the VIN is not visible there, try removing the fender. You might find a second one just behind the location of the one shown in our image, but underneath the fender.
1971 Mustang Data Plate Location
The data plate is found attached to the inside of the driver's side door and contains the vehicle's VIN as well. The top line of the data plates displays the categories of each code. These categories are: body, color, trim, date, DSO, axle ratio, and transmission.
| Body Code | Description |
|---|---|
| 63D | 2-Door Sports Roof |
| 63R | 2-Door Sports Roof Mach 1 |
| 65D | 2-Door Hardtop, Standard |
| 65F | 2-Door Hardtop, Grande |
| 76D | Convertible |
| Paint Code | Color Name | Sample |
|---|---|---|
| A | Raven Black | |
| B | Maroon | |
| C | Dark Green | |
| D | Grabber Yellow | |
| E | Medium Yellow Gold | |
| I | Grabber Lime | |
| J | Grabber Blue | |
| M | Wimbledon White | |
| N | Pastel Blue | |
| P | Medium Green | |
| V | Light Pewter | |
| Z | Grabber Green | |
| 2 | Medium Bright Yellow | |
| 3 | Bright Red | |
| 4 | Bright Lime | |
| 5 | Medium Brown | |
| 6 | Bright Silver Blue | |
| 7 | Maroon | |
| 8 | Light Gold |
| Code | Primary Color/Material | Secondary Color/Material | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1A | Black Corinthian Vinyl | Black Ruffino Vinyl | Standard Interior |
| 1B | Blue Corinthian Vinyl | Blue Ruffino Vinyl | Standard Interior |
| 1E | Vermillion Corinthian Vinyl | Vermillion Ruffino Vinyl | Standard Interior |
| 1F | Ginger Corinthian Vinyl | Ginger Ruffino Vinyl | Standard Interior |
| 1R | Green Corinthian Vinyl | Green Ruffino Vinyl | Standard Interior |
| 1W | White Corinthian Vinyl | White Ruffino Vinyl | Standard Interior Black Appointments |
| 2B | Blue Corinthian Vinyl | Blue Striped Cloth | |
| 2E | Vermillion Corinthian Vinyl | Vermillion Striped Cloth | |
| 2F | Ginger Corinthian Vinyl | Ginger Striped Cloth | |
| 2R | Green Corinthian Vinyl | Green Striped Cloth | |
| 3A | Black Corinthian Vinyl | Black Clarion Knitted Vinyl | ComfortWeave |
| 3W | White Corinthian Vinyl | White Clarion Knitted Vinyl | ComfortWeave Black Appointments |
| 4A | Black Corinthian Vinyl | Black Lambeth Cloth | Grande Option |
| 4B | Blue Corinthian Vinyl | Blue Lambeth Cloth | Grande Option |
| 4E | Vermillion Corinthian Vinyl | Vermillion Lambeth Cloth | Grande Option |
| 4F | Ginger Corinthian Vinyl | Ginger Lambeth Cloth | Grande Option |
| 4R | Green Corinthian Vinyl | Green Lambeth Cloth | Grande Option |
| 5A | Black Corinthian Vinyl | Black Clarion Knitted Vinyl | Mach 1 Option |
| 5B | Blue Corinthian Vinyl | Blue Clarion Knitted Vinyl | Mach 1 Option |
| 5E | Vermillion Corinthian Vinyl | Vermillion Clarion Knitted Vinyl | Mach 1 Option |
| 5F | Ginger Corinthian Vinyl | Ginger Clarion Knitted Vinyl | Mach 1 Option |
| 5FA | Ginger Corinthian Vinyl | Ginger Clarion Knitted Vinyl | Mach 1 Option |
| 5R | Green Corinthian Vinyl | Green Clarion Knitted Vinyl | Mach 1 Option |
| 5W | White Corinthian Vinyl | White Clarion Knitted Vinyl | Black Trim Mach 1 Option |
| 5WA | White Corinthian Vinyl | White Clarion Knitted Vinyl | Black Trim Mach 1 Option |
| BB | Blue Corinthian Vinyl | Blue Striped Cloth | Boss 351 Option |
| BE | Vermillion Corinthian Vinyl | Vermillion Striped Cloth | Boss 351 Option |
| BF | Ginger Corinthian Vinyl | Ginger Striped Cloth | Boss 351 Option |
| BR | Green Corinthian Vinyl | Green Striped Cloth | Boss 351 Option |
| CA | Black Corinthian Vinyl | Black Knitted Vinyl | Convertible Option Boss Option |
| CB | Blue Corinthian Vinyl | Blue Knitted Vinyl | Convertible Option |
| CE | Vermillion Corinthian Vinyl | Vermillion Knitted Vinyl | Convertible Option |
| CF | Ginger Corinthian Vinyl | Ginger Knitted Vinyl | Convertible Option |
| CFA | Ginger Corinthian Vinyl | Ginger Knitted Vinyl | Convertible Option |
| CR | Green Corinthian Vinyl | Green Knitted Vinyl | Convertible Option |
| CW | White Corinthian Vinyl | White Knitted Vinyl | Convertible Option Black Appointments |
Learn more about your 1971 Mustang's interior trim.
| Date Code | Description |
|---|---|
| xxA | Day | January |
| xxB | Day | February |
| xxC | Day | March |
| xxD | Day | April |
| xxE | Day | May |
| xxF | Day | June |
| xxG | Day | July |
| xxH | Day | August | xxJ | Day | September |
| xxK | Day | October |
| xxL | Day | November |
| xxM | Day | December |
| District Code | Description |
|---|---|
| 11 | Boston |
| 13 | New York |
| 15 | Newark |
| 16 | Philadelphia |
| 17 | Washington |
| 21 | Atlanta |
| 22 | Charlotte |
| 24 | Jacksonville |
| 25 | Richmond |
| 28 | Louisville |
| 32,42 | Cleveland |
| 33,48 | Detroit |
| 35,45 | Lansing |
| 37,12 | Buffalo |
| 38,14 | Pittsburgh |
| 41 | Chicago |
| 43 | Milwaukee |
| 44,58 | Twin Cities |
| 46 | Indianapolis |
| 47 | Cincinnati |
| 51,76 | Denver |
| 53 | Kansas City |
| 54 | Omaha |
| 55 | St. Louis |
| 56 | Davenport |
| 61,52 | Dallas |
| 62,57 | Houston |
| 63,23 | Memphis |
| 64,26 | New Orleans |
| 71 | Los Angeles |
| 72 | San Jose |
| 73 | Salt Lake City |
| 74 | Seattle |
| 75 | Phoenix |
| 83 | Government |
| 84 | Home Office Reserve |
| 85 | American Red Cross |
| 87 | Body Company |
| 89 | Transportation Services |
| 90-99 | Export |
| B1 | Canada - Central |
| B2 | Canada - Eastern |
| B3 | Canada - Atlantic |
| B4 | Canada - Midwestern |
| B6 | Canada - Western |
| B7 | Canada - Pacific |
| I2 | Canada - Export |
| Axle Code | Rear Gear Ratio | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 2 | 2.75 | |
| 3 | 2.79 | |
| 4 | 3.80 | |
| 6 | 3.00 | |
| 9 | 3.25 | |
| A | 3.50 | |
| B | 3.07 | |
| K | 2.75 | Limited Slip Differential |
| M | 3.80 | Limited Slip Differential |
| O | 3.00 | Limited Slip Differential |
| R | 3.25 | Limited Slip Differential |
| S | 3.50 | Limited Slip Differential |
| V | 3.91 | Limited Slip Differential |
| Y | 4.11 | Limited Slip Differential |
Learn more about rear gear ratios for classic Mustangs. This knowledge will help you know if changing the axle ratio may be right for your build goals.
| Code | Description |
|---|---|
| 1 | 3 Speed Manual |
| 5 | 4 Speed Manual |
| 6 | 4 Speed Manual |
| U | C-6 Automatic |
| W | C-4 Automatic |
| X | FMX Automatic |
| Code | Description |
|---|---|
| 1 | 1971 |
| Code | Description |
|---|---|
| F | Dearborn, MI |
| R | San Jose, CA |
| T | Metuchen, NJ |
| Code | Description |
|---|---|
| 01 | 2-Door Hardtop |
| 02 | 2-Door Sports Roof |
| 03 | 2-Door Convertible |
| 04 | 2-Door Hardtop Grande |
| 05 | 2-Door Sports Roof Mach 1 |
| Engine Code | Displacement | Bore | Stroke | Compression Ratio | Horsepower | Torque | Carburetor |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| F | 302 CID | 4.00" | 3.00" | 9.5:1 | 210 hp @ 4,600 RPM | 300 lb-ft @ 2,800 RPM | 2-Barrel |
| H | 351 CID | 4.00" | 3.50" | 9.5:1 | 250 hp @ 4,600 RPM | 355 lb-ft @ 2,600 RPM | 2-Barrel |
| L | 250 CID | 3.68" | 3.91" | 9.0:1 | 155 hp @ 4,000 RPM | 240 lb-ft @ 2,600 RPM | 1-Barrel |
| M | 351 CID | 4.00" | 3.50" | 10.7:1 | 290 hp @ 4,800 RPM | 385 lb-ft @ 3,200 RPM | 4-Barrel |
| Q | 428 CID | 4.13" | 3.98" | 10.6:1 | 335 hp @ 5,200 RPM | 440 lb-ft @ 3,400 RPM | 4-Barrel |
| R | 351 CID | 4.00" | 3.50" | 11:1, 8.8:1 | 330 hp @ 5,400 RPM; 275 hp @ 6,000 | 370 lb-ft @ 4,000 RPM; 286 lb-ft @ 3,800 RPM | 4-Barrel |
Compare the specs for all classic Mustang engines in our engine guide for first-generation Mustangs.
Use Our 1971 Mustang VIN Decoder to Jumpstart Your Restoration
With your data plate decoded, you will know what your 1971 Mustang was like when it rolled off the assembly line.
You can also find all the 1971 Mustang parts you need for your restoration here at CJ's. If you want more great guides, tools, and content like this, be sure to sign up for our newsletter.
If you want to see what came stock on other first-gen Mustangs, check out the VIN and data plate information for these Mustang years: 1964.5, 1965, 1966, 1967, 1968, 1969, 1970, 1972, 1973.
Image Credit:1971 Ford Mustang Boss 351 fastback neg 153006-251, Mustang | Mustang Boss 351
