1981 Ford Taurus: trims, real prices & how to pick yours

3 builds left the factory as a 1981 Taurus, each a different combination of engine, transmission and body identified by the first eight characters of its VIN.

  • 3 main configurations
  • 1,041 vehicles built
  • 9 for sale right now

Which Taurus is yours?

Enter a VIN — the 17 characters on the windshield or the title — and we’ll match it to its exact factory configuration, typical price and equipment.

Works with any VIN — a different year or model takes you straight to its own page.

Pick your Taurus

What actually differs

SEL · FWD Police · AWD Limited · FWD
Engine 2L 4-cyl 3.5L 6-cyl 2L 4-cyl
Power 237 hp 365 hp 240 hp
Drivetrain Front-wheel drive All-wheel drive Front-wheel drive
For sale right now 8 — 1
Vehicles built 752 233 56
Same on every 1981 Taurus
  • Fuel Gasoline
  • Body Sedan
  • Doors 4-door
  • Typical price today $6,200

What 1FAHP2MT-D means

1FA HP2MT · D
1FA
the World Manufacturer Identifier Ford registered — assembled in the United States
HP2MT
together encode the Taurus line — Sedan, 3.5L 6cyl, All-wheel drive — as Ford filed it, these five characters are read as one block, not letter by letter
D
in position 10 — model year 1981
9, 11–17
differ on every car: check digit, plant code and the serial number

Already looking at a specific Taurus?

Paste its VIN — we’ll open that exact car’s page: its configuration, market position and every listing we’ve tracked.