How to decode a 1989 Buick Riviera VIN
Characters 1-3 of a 1989 Buick Riviera VIN
A World Manufacturer Identifier (WMI) is the initial sequence of the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) that uniquely identifies the manufacturer of the vehicle. For the 1989 Buick Riviera, the WMI is “1G4”, signifying a vehicle manufactured by General Motors LLC in the United States. Specifically, this code indicates that the vehicle was produced in Warren, Michigan. The WMI is vital for recognizing the vehicle’s manufacturer, ensuring consistent vehicle identification worldwide. This particular code covers several model years, highlighting its use in identifying various vehicles, including the Buick Riviera produced in 1989.
List of WMI Codes for a 1989 Buick Riviera
WMI: 1G4
- Model Years Covered: 1981-1985, 1987, 1989-1993, 1995-1999
- Example VIN: 1G4EZ11C0KU403591
- 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 1989 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 1989 Buick Riviera:
| Known VDS for a 1989 Buick Riviera |
|---|
| EZ11C |
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 1989 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 1989 Buick Riviera VIN — Year Code
| Year Code | Year |
|---|---|
| K | 1989 |
11th Character in the 1989 Buick Riviera VIN — Plant Code(s)
Known 1989 Buick Riviera Assembly Factory VIN Code(s)
| Plant Code | Plant City | Plant State | Plant Country | Plant Company Name | Example VIN |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| U | Hamtramck | Michigan | United States | Na-Clcd | 1G4EZ11C0KU403591 |
VIN Characters 12 - 17 of a 1989 Buick Riviera
The final 6 characters in a 1989 Buick Riviera’s 17-digit VIN are its serial number, which will be unique to every vehicle.
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How to find a 1989 Buick Riviera’s VIN?
Locating the VIN number on your 1989 Buick Riviera is key for identification. Here’s how to find it:
- Look at the dashboard on the driver’s side of your 1989 Buick Riviera. The VIN should be visible through the windshield on a small placard.
- Open the door on the driver’s side of your Buick Riviera and inspect the door jamb. Here, there may be a sticker or label with the VIN where the door latches shut.
- Check under the hood of your 1989 Riviera; the VIN might also be stamped on the engine block or on a metal plate attached to the chassis.
- Examine the trunk area of your Buick. The VIN may be placed on a label in the trunk underneath the spare tire or on the trunk’s lid support brackets.
- Look at the frame of the vehicle under the car. The VIN might also be stamped on the frame rail, usually on the driver’s side.
- Review your vehicle’s documents like the title, registration, or insurance policy, where the VIN of your 1989 Buick Riviera will be listed.
What info can a 1989 Buick Riviera VIN reveal?
- Model Year: The VIN can reveal the vehicles model year being the year 1989, providing insights into the age and potential market value of the vehicle.
- Body Class and Doors: The VIN may indicate that the Riviera is a Passenger Car with a body style of Coupe, possibly offering detailed insights into the vehicle’s design and structure.
- Engine Type: The VIN typically includes details about the engine, including its configuration (V-Shaped), displacement (3.8L or 3800CC), number of cylinders (6), and fuel delivery system (Multipoint Fuel Injection).
- Fuel Efficiency: The primary fuel type the vehicle operates on, such as Gasoline, can be discerned from the VIN, providing potential insight into its fuel efficiency.
- Manufacturing Location: The VIN can potentially trace where the vehicle was assembled, including the city (Hamtramck), state (Michigan), and country (United States), based on manufacturing information.
- Safety Features: Details about the type of seat belt installed (Manual) can be an indicator of the safety features present in the vehicle, as per its production year.
- Engine Manufacturer: The manufacturer of the engine (BOCF) is often specified, offering insights into the vehicle’s engine origins and specifications.
Don’t have your 1989 Buick Riviera’s VIN handy? Try our license plate lookup instead!
Sample VIN Decode Report for a 1989 Buick Riviera
| Vehicle Spec | Value |
|---|---|
| Body Class | Coupe |
| Displacement (CC) | 3800.0 |
| Displacement (CI) | 231.89022755998 |
| Displacement (L) | 3.8 |
| Doors | 2 |
| Engine Configuration | V-Shaped |
| Engine Manufacturer | BOCF |
| Engine Number of Cylinders | 6 |
| Fuel Delivery / Fuel Injection Type | Multipoint Fuel Injection (MPFI) |
| Fuel Type - Primary | Gasoline |
| Model | Riviera |
| Model Year | 1989 |
| Plant City | Hamtramck |
| Plant Company Name | NA-CLCD |
| Plant Country | United States |
| Plant State | Michigan |
| Seat Belt Type | Manual |
| Vehicle Descriptor | 1G4EZ11C*KU |
| Vehicle Type | Passenger Car |
| Sample_VIN | 1G4EZ11C0KU403591 |
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