Free American Motors Spirit VIN Decoder

How to decode an American Motors Spirit VIN

Characters 1-3 of an American Motors Spirit VIN

The World Manufacturer Identifier (WMI) is a unique three-character code allotted to each automaker that reveals key information about the manufacturer and the region where the vehicle was produced. For the rugged American Motors Spirit, the WMI is especially significant as it denotes a piece of American automotive history. The code 1AM specifically identifies American Motors Corporation as the manufacturer. This code is particularly associated with the Spirits that were produced during the 1982 model year, a time when the company was known for creating versatile and durable vehicles tailored for the adventurous American driver. Embedded in the beginning of the vehicle identification number (VIN), the WMI is the fingerprint of the car’s origin, linking it to its birthplace and the company that brought it to life.

List of WMI Codes for an American Motors Spirit

WMI: 1AM

• Model Years Covered: 1982
• Example VIN: 1AMCA4304CK145123
• Manufacturer Name: American Motors Corp
• Vehicle Type: Multipurpose Passenger Vehicle (MPV)
• City:
• State or Province: Michigan
• Country: United States

Characters 4-8 are the Vehicle Descriptor Section (VDS) of an American Motors Spirit VIN

These characters correspond to components like:

• Engine type
• Transmission
• Model or trim
• Body style
• Gross vehicle weight range

Below find the known vehicle descriptor codes for an American Motors Spirit:

Auto manufacturers have some discretion to decide how they want to code this section, but its contents and decoded results are generally consistent.

Character 9 is the “check digit” in an American Motors Spirit VIN.

Based on a formula developed by the US Department of Transportation, it helps reduce fraud by ensuring the validity of the VIN.

10th Character in the American Motors Spirit VIN — Year Code

11th Character in the American Motors Spirit VIN — Plant Code(s)

Known American Motors Spirit Assembly Factory VIN Code(s)

VIN Characters 12 - 17 of an American Motors Spirit

The final 6 characters in an American Motors Spirit’s 17-digit VIN are its serial number, which will be unique to every vehicle.

What info can an American Motors Spirit VIN reveal?

• Make: The VIN can reveal the manufacturer of the vehicle, possibly indicating American Motors as the maker.
• Model: The VIN can indicate the specific model of the vehicle, such as the Spirit.
• Model Year: The VIN may provide insights into the year of manufacture, possibly being the year 1982, offering information about the age and potential historical value of the vehicle.
• Vehicle Type: The VIN could specify the vehicle type as a Multipurpose Passenger Vehicle (MPV), providing insights into the intended use of the vehicle.
• Plant City and State: The VIN can provide information about the city and state where the vehicle was assembled and produced, such as Kenosha, Wisconsin, offering insights into the vehicle’s manufacturing location.
• Body Class: The VIN might provide details about the body class of the vehicle, such as Hatchback/Liftback/Notchback, offering detailed insights into the vehicle’s design and structure.

Sample VIN Decode Report for an American Motors Spirit