Free 1982 Buick Riviera VIN Decoder

How to decode a 1982 Buick Riviera VIN

Characters 1-3 of a 1982 Buick Riviera VIN

A World Manufacturer Identifier (WMI) is a unique code that is assigned to every vehicle manufacturer around the globe, serving as the first three characters in a Vehicle Identification Number (VIN). This code not only identifies the manufacturer but also provides information about the vehicle’s country of origin, manufacturer’s division, and vehicle type. For the 1982 Buick Riviera, the WMI is “1G4,” which indicates that the vehicle was manufactured by General Motors LLC, specifically under the Buick division. The “1” designates the United States as the country of origin, highlighting that this particular model was assembled in Warren, Michigan. Both passenger cars and the level of detail captured in these initial characters of the VIN underscore the WMI’s role in uniquely identifying vehicles worldwide.

List of WMI Codes for a 1982 Buick Riviera

WMI: 1G4

• Model Years Covered: 1981-1985, 1987, 1989-1993, 1995-1999
• Example VIN: 1G4AZ574XCE404989
• 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 1982 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 1982 Buick Riviera:

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 1982 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 1982 Buick Riviera VIN — Year Code

11th Character in the 1982 Buick Riviera VIN — Plant Code(s)

Known 1982 Buick Riviera Assembly Factory VIN Code(s)

VIN Characters 12 - 17 of a 1982 Buick Riviera

The final 6 characters in a 1982 Buick Riviera’s 17-digit VIN are its serial number, which will be unique to every vehicle.

What info can a 1982 Buick Riviera VIN reveal?

• Model Year: The VIN can reveal the vehicles model year, potentially indicating the year 1982, providing insights into the age and potential market value of the vehicle.
• Body Class and Size: A VIN can specify the body class as Convertible/Cabriolet, offering details into the vehicle’s design and size with 2 doors, hinting at a more compact, sporty vehicle.
• Engine Specifications: Detailed engine specifics can be deciphered, including a displacement of 5 liters or approximately 305 CI, with an engine configuration described as V-Shaped and an 8-cylinder engine made by Buick, possibly indicating a powerful performance capacity.
• Fuel Type: The VIN specifies the primary fuel type as Gasoline, providing a hint at the vehicle’s environmental and operational characteristics.
• Plant Information: Manufacturing details, such as the plant city being Linden and the state as New Jersey in the United States, are encoded in the VIN, offering a glimpse into the vehicle’s production background.
• Safety Features: Through the VIN, it may be possible to know the seat belt type equipped in the vehicle, which in this case is Manual, possibly shedding light on the safety measures provided.
• Trim Level: The VIN includes information on the trim level, described here as Luxury, potentially giving insights into the vehicle’s comfort, features, and overall luxury status.

Sample VIN Decode Report for a 1982 Buick Riviera

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