Free 1987 Buick Electra VIN Decoder

How to decode a 1987 Buick Electra VIN

Characters 1-3 of a 1987 Buick Electra VIN

The World Manufacturer Identifier (WMI) is an essential component of a vehicle’s identification number (VIN), signifying the manufacturer and providing key insights about the vehicle, including its country of origin, manufacturer name, and vehicle type. For instance, a 1987 Buick Electra would have a WMI of “1G4,” indicating that it was manufactured by General Motors LLC in the United States, specifically in Warren, Michigan. This WMI confirms that the vehicle falls within the passenger car category, providing a unique identifier that helps in tracking its history, specifications, and manufacturing details. The use of WMIs is critical for ensuring the clear identification of vehicles globally, offering a standardized method to distinguish between different manufacturers and vehicle types.

List of WMI Codes for a 1987 Buick Electra

WMI: 1G4

• Model Years Covered: 1982-1984, 1986-1990
• Example VIN: 1G4CW5139H1453939
• 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 1987 Buick Electra 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 1987 Buick Electra:

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 1987 Buick Electra 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 1987 Buick Electra VIN — Year Code

11th Character in the 1987 Buick Electra VIN — Plant Code(s)

Known 1987 Buick Electra Assembly Factory VIN Code(s)

VIN Characters 12 - 17 of a 1987 Buick Electra

The final 6 characters in a 1987 Buick Electra’s 17-digit VIN are its serial number, which will be unique to every vehicle.

What info can a 1987 Buick Electra VIN reveal?

• Model Year: The VIN can reveal the vehicles model year being the year 1987, providing insights into the age and potential market value of the vehicle.
• Body Class and Doors: A VIN can specify the body class, indicating the vehicle as a Sedan/Saloon with 4 doors, which gives details about the vehicle’s size and capacity.
• Engine Type: Details about the engine are encoded, such as it being a V-Shaped, 3.8-liter (or 3800 CC) engine with 6 cylinders, manufactured by BOCF, and utilizing Multipoint Fuel Injection for fuel delivery.
• Fuel Type: The primary fuel type for the vehicle is specified as Gasoline, which informs on the vehicle’s fuel efficiency and environmental impact.
• Manufacturing Details: The VIN contains information about the manufacturing location, including the plant city of Wentzville, the plant company name Wentzville Assembly, and the plant country as the United States, providing insight into the origin of the vehicle.
• Safety Features: The type of seat belt fitted in the vehicle is Manual, offering a glimpse into the safety features available in the vehicle at the time of manufacture.
• Vehicle Type and Model: Basic vehicle information includes its type as a Passenger Car and the specific model, Electra, which offers a precise identification of the vehicle’s make and model.

Sample VIN Decode Report for a 1987 Buick Electra

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