Final answer:
The 17-character standardized Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) was the system implemented in 1981 as an individualized means of identifying motor vehicles.
Step-by-step explanation:
The system implemented in 1981 to provide a positive, individualized means of identifying a motor vehicle is the 17-character standardized VIN (Vehicle Identification Number). The VIN system was created to combat auto theft, which was a significant problem at the time. These 17 characters combine numbers and letters that give each vehicle a unique identifier, allowing law enforcement and others to track a vehicle's history, recalls, ownership, and if it has been involved in any criminal activity, such as theft.