Sheet Metal - Theft Prevention Standard
Article No. SHEET METAL - THEFT PREVENTION STANDARD -
87-6-2 PARTS IDENTIFICATION NUMBER
FORD 1988 MUSTANG, THUNDERBIRD
LINCOLN-MERCURY 1988 COUGAR, MARK VII, CONTINENTAL, LINCOLN TOWN CAR
ISSUE: The U.S. Motor Vehicle Theft Law Enforcement Act of 1984 requires identification of certain parts on high theft vehicles to reduce the National Auto Theft Rate. This new federal law requires Ford Motor Company to affix the vehicle identification number (VIN) on specific parts. The affected "body parts" are the bumpers (front and rear), fenders (L.H. and R.H.), hood, front doors (L.H. and R.H.), rear doors (L.H. and R.H.), quarter panels (L.H. and R.H.) and luggage compartment door. In addition, the affected body service replacement parts for the federally mandated identified parts must also be identified as "service" parts.
The production car parts will be identified by an adhesive-backed white label on which the vehicle "VIN" number will be printed. The appropriate service parts will be identified by a similar label on which is printed a letter "R", an oval "Ford" logo and the letters "D.O.T." (Department of Transportation). The "Production" label is approximately 2- 3/16 inches long and 5/8 inch wide, white in color with a small blue Ford logo printed on it. The "Service" label is also white and is approximately 2-3/4 inches long and 5/8 inch wide with gray lettering.
NOTE: This new federal law makes obscuring, tampering, or removing of either label punishable by a fine, or imprisonment, or both. The labels must therefore be given special care to protect them when the car is being prepared for initial delivery to the customer (e.g., rustproofed or undercoated), when serviced, or when repaired.
The labels, both production and service, are purposely made very fragile. Any attempt to remove, alter, obliterate or tamper with the label will be very evident. Consequently, if repairs are to be made in the vicinity of a label, the label must be protected.
Any sort of adhesive covering material (masking tape, etc.) placed directly on the label will cause damage, therefore, it is suggested that a double thickness of heavy paper (grocery bag, etc.) be cut to cover the label. This protective cover can then be held in place with masking tape. An alternate protective covering is reuseable magnetic tape available from 3M distributors (part number 80- 000-0329-S or equivalent). If paint is involved, the area around the label that was covered by the masking tape or magnetic tape can then be "touched up" with a brush when the label protection is removed.
The replacement part (service) label comes with a protective mask. As the new service part requires painting, undercoating or rustproofing, the label cover should be left on until all repairs are completed.
NOTE: Federal law requires that all label "masks" or covers must be removed before the vehicle is returned to the owner.
Figure 1 - Article 87-6-2:
ACTION: In the event of collision damage not requiring part replacement, the persons making the repairs should take care not to damage or remove the labels, unless such action is reasonably necessary in performing the repair.
The areas selected for the location of the "production" and "service" labels are unlikely to be affected during normal vehicle servicing and noncollision repairs.
NOTE: The locations are NOT the same. Figure 1 shows the locations of the "service" labels.
The following information indicates federal penalties for violations of the theft prevention standard.
Federal Civil Penalty
Violators of these requirements may be subject to a civil penalty of up to $1,000 per violation by NHTSA.
Federal Criminal Law
Federal criminal law provides that whoever knowingly removes, obliterates, tampers with or alters an identification number for a motor vehicle or motor vehicle part shall be fined not more than $10,000 or imprisoned not more than five years, or both. This provision does not apply to the removal, obliteration, tampering or alteration by a person
who repairs such a vehicle or part, if the removal, obliteration, tampering or alteration is reasonably necessary for the repair, unless that person knows that the vehicle or part involved is stolen (United States Code, Title 18, Section 511).
OTHER APPLICABLE ARTICLES: 86-18-2
WARRANTY STATUS: "INFORMATION ONLY"