I have always wanted to know more about our VIN # and what each number/letter really means. I've known they stand for something but never knew what. This is all that i could find but it may have changed since so feel free to correct me or add to it.

Decoding Modern Car VIN Numbers The 17 digit VIN began in 1981 and continues to present.

Understanding your vehicles serial (VIN) number

* 1st character - Identifies the country in which the vehicle was manufactured.
For example: U.S.A.(1or4), Canada(2), Mexico(3), Japan(J), Korea(K), England(S), Germany(W), Italy(Z)
* 2nd character - Identifies the manufacturer.
For example; Audi(A), BMW(B), Chrysler(C), Dodge(B), Ford(F), GM Canada(7), General Motors(G), Honda(H), Jaquar(A), Lincoln(L), Mercedes Benz(D), Mercury(M), Nissan(N), Plymouth(P), Toyota(T), VW(V), Volvo(V).
* 3rd character - Identifies vehicle type or manufacturing division.
Chevrolet(1), Pontiac(2), Oldsmobile(3), Buick(4), GM Overseas(5), Cadillac(6), GM Canada(7), Saturn(8), GM Overseas(9), Chevy Truck (C), GMC Truck(T)
* 4th character - Identifies the restrain system.
Non-passive(A), Automatic belts(B), Inflatable restraint(C)
* 5th character - Identifies the series.
Chevette CS trim(B), 2WD Truck(C), Cavalier base trim(C), Cavalier CS trim(D), Cavalier type 10(E), Van(G), Citation(H), 4WD Truck(K), Chevette base trim(J), Impala(L), Camaro Sport Coupe(P), Step Van(P), Caprice Classic(N), Camaro Berlinetta(S), Small Pickup(S), Malibu(T), Malibu Classic(W), El Camino(W), Celebrity(W), Citation(X), Monte Carlo(Z)
* 6th and 7th character - Identifies the body style.
Landau Coupe(03), 2 dr Coupe(08), 1/2 ton(10), 2 dr notchback Coupe(11), 4dr Sedan(19), 3/4 ton(20), 1 ton(30), Sport Coupe or Convertible(27), Station Wagon(35), Sport Coupe(37), Sport Coupe(47), 2-1/2 ton(50), 3 ton(60), 4-1/2 ton(65), Convertible(67), 4dr Hatchback Sedan(68), 4dr Sedan(69), 2 dr Hatchback(77), Sedan-pickup(El Camino)(80), Sport Coupe(87)
* 8th characters - Identifies the engine.
* 9th character - is a check digit to verify VIN accuracy.
* 10th character - Identifies the model year.
For example: 1981(B), 1982(C), 1983(D), 1984(E), 1985(F), 1986(G), 1987(H), 1988(J), 1989(K), 1990(L), 1991(M), 1992(N), 1993(P), 1994(R), 1995(S), 1996(T), 1997(V), 1998(W), 1999(X), 2000(Y), 2001(1), 2002(2), 2003(3)
* 11th character - Identifies the assembly plant for the vehicle.
Lakewood(A), Baltimore(B), Lansing B(C), Doraville(D), Linden(E), Flint (Chevy)(F), Framingham(G), Flint (Buick)(H), Janesville(J), Kosai(K), Leeds(K), Lansing(M), Norwood(N), Pontiac (Pontiac)(P), Detriot(Q), Arlington(R), St. Louis(S), Ramos Arizpe(S), Tarrytown(T), Hamtramck(U), Pontiac (GMC)(V), Fairfax(X), Wilmington(V), Fremont(Z), Wentzville(1), Oshawa #2(1), Moraine (T&B)(2), St. Therese(2), Detroit (T&B)(3), St. Eustache(3), Orion(4), Bowling Green(5), London(5), Oklahoma City(6), Lordstown(7), Shreveport(8), Fujisawa (Japan) Luv(8), Detroit (Cadillac)(9), Oshawa #1(9), Pontiac (GM Truck)(0)
* 12th to 17th characters - Identifies the sequence of the vehicle for production
as it rolled off the manufacturers assembly line. Starting with 100001.

 

good info

 

nice, +1 for ya.

 

That's neat. I run these all the time at work and never knew why the numbers/letters were arranged how they are. Good info!

 

Nice info, I always wanted to know this too. +rep

 

anyone remember pre-1981 VIN #'s... i had the one from my 80 Pinto memorized!

0T11A116655


When I was into Cavaliers, I could decode their VIN's without a key... 1G1J...

Scott

 

On the Chevy's the fourth letter determines the body type. And on trucks its the fifth.

 

The 4th and 5th are different for cars to trucks. Most everything else is the same either way.

 

Bump for being pretty cool info.