How to decode a 1981 Buick Riviera VIN
Characters 1-3 of a 1981 Buick Riviera VIN
A World Manufacturer Identifier (WMI) is a unique three-letter code that designates the manufacturer of a specific vehicle, forming the first segment of the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN). For the 1981 Buick Riviera, the WMI is “1G4”, indicating that the car was manufactured by General Motors LLC. This particular sequence is assigned to passenger cars produced in Warren, Michigan, United States. The WMI not only helps in identifying the vehicle’s maker but also provides crucial information about the vehicle type and location of manufacture. As a key component of the VIN, the WMI plays a vital role in vehicle registration, identification, and regulatory compliance.
List of WMI Codes for a 1981 Buick Riviera
WMI: 1G4
- Model Years Covered: 1981-1985, 1987, 1989-1993, 1995-1999
- Example VIN: 1G4AZ57N0BE431643
- Manufacturer Name: General Motors LLC
- Vehicle Type: Passenger Car
- City: Warren
- State or Province: Michigan
- Country: United States
Characters 4-8 are the Vehicle Descriptor Section (VDS) of a 1981 Buick Riviera 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 a 1981 Buick Riviera:
| Known VDS for a 1981 Buick Riviera | |
|---|---|
| AZ57N | AZ57Y |
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 a 1981 Buick Riviera 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 1981 Buick Riviera VIN — Year Code
| Year Code | Year |
|---|---|
| B | 1981 |
11th Character in the 1981 Buick Riviera VIN — Plant Code(s)
Known 1981 Buick Riviera Assembly Factory VIN Code(s)
| Plant Code | Plant City | Plant State | Plant Country | Plant Company Name | Example VIN |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| E | Linden | New Jersey | United States | 1G4AZ57N0BE431643 |
VIN Characters 12 - 17 of a 1981 Buick Riviera
The final 6 characters in a 1981 Buick Riviera’s 17-digit VIN are its serial number, which will be unique to every vehicle.
Check your Buick Riviera’s VIN below:
How to find a 1981 Buick Riviera’s VIN?
Locating the VIN number on your 1981 Buick Riviera is key for identification. Here’s how to find it:
- Look at the dashboard on the driver’s side of your 1981 Buick Riviera. It’s typically visible through the windshield on a small plate at the corner.
- Inspect the driver’s side door jamb. You will often find the VIN on a sticker or metal plate where the door latches when closed on your Buick Riviera.
- Examine the engine block of the 1981 Buick Riviera. The VIN might be stamped onto the engine itself.
- Check the frame of the car. The VIN can sometimes be found on the vehicle’s chassis, often under the hood or within the trunk area.
- Look at the rear wheel well. For some models, including the Buick Riviera, the VIN might be positioned above the tire.
- Review any paperwork associated with the vehicle, such as the title, registration, or maintenance records. The VIN should be clearly listed on all official documents for your Riviera.
What info can a 1981 Buick Riviera VIN reveal?
- Model Year: The VIN can reveal the vehicle’s model year, possibly indicating the year 1981, providing insights into the age and potential market value of the vehicle.
- Engine Details: Critical engine specifications, such as a 5.0L (5000 CC or 305.1187204736 CI) V-shaped engine with 8 cylinders, possibly manufactured by Buick, may be uncovered through the VIN.
- Fuel Type: The VIN may specify the primary fuel type, which might indicate that the vehicle runs on gasoline.
- Vehicle Type and Body Class: Insights into the vehicle’s type and body class, possibly showing it as a Passenger Car with a Coupe body, can be provided through the VIN.
- Plant Information: Manufacture details such as the plant city (Linden), state (New Jersey), and country (United States) may be encoded within the VIN.
- Safety and Interior Features: The VIN can possibly reveal safety features like the type of seat belts (Manual) and can also indicate the vehicle’s trim level (Luxury), offering clues about interior and comfort amenities.
- Displacement and Performance: Insights into the vehicle’s performance capabilities can be derived from the displacement specifications, providing a possible clear picture of the engine size and potential power output.
Don’t have your 1981 Buick Riviera’s VIN handy? Try our license plate lookup instead!
Sample VIN Decode Report for a 1981 Buick Riviera
| Vehicle Spec | Value |
|---|---|
| Body Class | Coupe |
| Displacement (CC) | 5000 |
| Displacement (CI) | 305.1187204736 |
| Displacement (L) | 5 |
| Doors | 2 |
| Engine Configuration | V-Shaped |
| Engine Manufacturer | Buick |
| Engine Number of Cylinders | 8 |
| Fuel Type - Primary | Gasoline |
| Model | Riviera |
| Model Year | 1981 |
| Plant City | Linden |
| Plant Company Name | |
| Plant Country | United States |
| Plant State | New Jersey |
| Seat Belt Type | Manual |
| Trim | Luxury |
| Vehicle Descriptor | 1G4AZ57Y*BE |
| Vehicle Type | Passenger Car |
| Sample_VIN | 1G4AZ57Y1BE409614 |
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