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1997 Mark VIII Vehicle Certification Label
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1997 is unique because Ford appears to have switched the style of the label mid-production. Both styles have almost the same information, although a few of the less-important information has been removed for the newer labels. The labels are still found inside the door jamb. Despite this, 1997 Vehicle Certification labels look almost identical to the 93-96 and 98 versions. They differ only slightly for unknown reasons. Below you will find an explaination of the codes on the labels, your label will look different than the examples below, but the information locations should be similar.
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Typical Early-Style Vehicle Certification Label:
Explanation:
1. Name and Location of Manufacturer: This is always 'Manufactured by Ford in U.S.A.' in Mark VIIIs
2. Gross Vehicle Weight (lbs/Kg): This is the gross vehicle weight of the vehicle. GVWR is the maximum total weight of the base vehicle + passengers + optional components + cargo. It is NOT the base curb weight of the vehicle. If this number is exceeded, the vehicle is unsafe to drive.
3. Accessory Reserve Load Codes:
4. Special Order Codes: This code is the Domestic Special Order parts (DSO) number. Vehicles ordered from the factory with special parts or options not listed in the regular parts catalog will have a four-digit number here, which is sequential and is used by service personnel to identify what parts are special ordered. A two-digit number means the car has no factory installed special parts. Foreign Special Order (FSO) cars are intended for foreign markets. Vehicles with a PTO (Paint, Tire, Option) code were ordered with non-standard paint, tires or other option.
5. Sales Regions Codes: Ford breaks up orders for vehicles into districts for tracking purposes. Each region/district is represented by a two-digit number that corresponds to that region/district. The codes for Lincoln-Mercury Company are as follows:
12- New England
14- New York
15- Philadelphia
18- Pittsburgh
22- Memphis
25- Orlando
26- Atlanta
28- Washington
42- Chicago
43- Twin Cities
45- Detroit
46- Cincinnati
51- San Francisco
54- Los Angeles
55- Denver
57- Seattle
63- Kansas City
67- Southwest
83- Government
84- Home Office Reserve
85- American Red Cross
9A- Export
6. Suspension Identification Codes: This should always be blank
7. Transmission Code: This is the code that identifies what transmission is installed. This should always be the letter 'U'. U is the code used for the 4R70W 4-speed Automatic w/overdrive that is found in Mark VIIIs.
U- 4R70W 4-Speed Automatic Overdrive
8. Axle Ratio Code: This will be different based on whether the vehicle is a Base model (M91) or a LSC model (M92). Base model cars should have an 'A7' code, which is the 3.07 ratio. LSCs should have a '34' code, which is the 3.27 ratio.
A7- 3.07 ratio (open)
34- 3.27 ratio (open)
9. Radio Type Code: This is the type of radio installed in the car when it left the factory. One of two codes should be listed:
A- Electronic AM/FM stereo cassette with JBL
E- Electronic AM/FM stereo CD with JBL
10. Tape Stripe/Paint Stripe Code: This should always be blank.
11. Interior Trim Code: This is the interior trim code. This can be broken up in two : The first letter in the type of seats, 'Z' is standard leather seats, 'D' is perforated leather seats. The second letter is the color:
J- Ebony
Q- Ivory
Y- Prairie Tan
2- Light Graphite
12. Molding Code: The molding color should always be 'CC', for color-coordinated with the exterior body color.
CC- Color Coded to Exterior Paint
13. Brake Type Code: This is what type of brakes are installed on the vehicle. Mark VIIIs should always have a '4' in this spot, which means they are 4-wheel disc with ABS.
4- 4-Wheel Disc Brakes with Anti-Lock Brakes
14. Body Type Code: This is the code that identifies which body type the car is. On Mark VIIIs it should always be BA2, which is the code for the Mark VIII.
BA2- Base/LSC 2-Door Coupe
15. Exterior Paint Code: This is the exterior color code for the vehicle.
BA- Light Prairie Tan
F8- Evergreen
FZ- Cordovan
HA- Ivory Pearlescent
JB- Bright Toreador Red
K4- Deep Navy Blue
TS- Silver Frost
TT- Pewter Grey
UA- Black
WK- Opal Opalescent
16. VIN: The VIN number of the car is reprinted here. It would be wise to make sure this number and the one on the dash are identical. You can decode the VIN number here.
17. Rear Gross Axle Weight (lbs/kg): This number is representative of how much of the GVWR can be loaded on the rear axle. Even if the total GVWR of the vehicle is not reached, this number must not be exceeded with respect to the rear axle.
18. Front Gross Axle Weight (lbs/kg): This number is representative of how much of the GVWR can be loaded on the front axle. Even if the total GVWR of the vehicle is not reached, this number must not be exceeded with respect to the front axle.
19. Build Date: This is the build month and year of the vehicle.
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Typical Late-Style Vehicle Certification Label:
Explanation:
1. Name and Location of Manufacturer: This is always 'Manufactured by Ford in U.S.A.' in Mark VIIIs
2. Gross Vehicle Weight (lbs/Kg): This is the gross vehicle weight of the vehicle. GVWR is the maximum total weight of the base vehicle + passengers + optional components + cargo. It is NOT the base curb weight of the vehicle. If this number is exceeded, the vehicle is unsafe to drive.
3. Accessory Reserve Load Codes:
4. Special Order Codes: This code is the Domestic Special Order parts (DSO) number. Vehicles ordered from the factory with special parts or options not listed in the regular parts catalog will have a four-digit number here, which is sequential and is used by service personnel to identify what parts are special ordered. A two-digit number means the car has no factory installed special parts. Foreign Special Order (FSO) cars are intended for foreign markets. Vehicles with a PTO (Paint, Tire, Option) code were ordered with non-standard paint, tires or other non-standard option.
5. Sales Regions Codes: Ford breaks up orders for vehicles into districts for tracking purposes. Each region/district is represented by a two-digit number that corresponds to that region/district. The codes for Lincoln-Mercury Company are as follows:
12- New England
14- New York
15- Philadelphia
18- Pittsburgh
22- Memphis
25- Orlando
26- Atlanta
28- Washington
42- Chicago
43- Twin Cities
45- Detroit
46- Cincinnati
51- San Francisco
54- Los Angeles
55- Denver
57- Seattle
63- Kansas City
67- Southwest
83- Government
84- Home Office Reserve
85- American Red Cross
9A- Export
6. Suspension Identification Codes: This should always be blank
7. Transmission Code: This is the code that identifies what transmission is installed. This should always be the letter 'U'. U is the code used for the 4R70W 4-speed Automatic w/overdrive that is found in Mark VIIIs.
U- 4R70W 4-Speed Automatic Overdrive
8. Axle Ratio Code: This will be different based on whether the vehicle is a Base model (M91) or a LSC model (M92). Base model cars should have an 'A7' code, which is the 3.07 ratio. LSCs should have a '34' code, which is the 3.27 ratio.
A7- 3.07 ratio (open)
34- 3.27 ratio (open)
9. Radio Type Code: This is the type of radio installed in the car when it left the factory. One of two codes should be listed:
A- Electronic AM/FM stereo cassette with JBL
E- Electronic AM/FM stereo CD with JBL
10. Tape Stripe/Paint Stripe Code: This should always be blank.
11. Interior Trim Code: This is the interior trim code. This can be broken up in two : The first letter in the type of seats, 'Z' is standard leather seats, 'D' is perforated leather seats. The second letter is the color:
J- Ebony
Q- Ivory
Y- Prairie Tan
2- Light Graphite
12. Brake Type Code: This is what type of brakes are installed on the vehicle. Mark VIIIs should always have a '4' in this spot, which means they are 4-wheel disc with ABS.
4- 4-Wheel Disc Brakes with Anti-Lock Brakes
13. Exterior Paint Code: This is the exterior color code for the vehicle.
BA- Light Prairie Tan
F8- Evergreen
FZ- Cordovan
HA- Ivory Pearlescent
JB- Bright Toreador Red
K4- Deep Navy Blue
TS- Silver Frost
TT- Pewter Grey
UA- Black
WK- Opal Opalescent
14. VIN: The VIN number of the car is reprinted here. It would be wise to make sure this number and the one on the dash are identical. You can decode the VIN number here.
15. Rear Gross Axle Weight (lbs/kg): This number is representative of how much of the GVWR can be loaded on the rear axle. Even if the total GVWR of the vehicle is not reached, this number must not be exceeded with respect to the rear axle.
16. Front Gross Axle Weight (lbs/kg): This number is representative of how much of the GVWR can be loaded on the front axle. Even if the total GVWR of the vehicle is not reached, this number must not be exceeded with respect to the front axle.
17. Build Date: This is the build month and year of the vehicle.
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