How to decode a 1985 Buick Riviera VIN
Characters 1-3 of a 1985 Buick Riviera VIN
A World Manufacturer Identifier (WMI) is part of the unique VIN (Vehicle Identification Number) assigned to every vehicle to indicate its manufacturer, the type of vehicle, and the place where it was made. For instance, the WMI for a 1985 Buick Riviera begins with “1G4”, revealing that it is a passenger car made by General Motors LLC in the United States. Specifically, the vehicle was manufactured in Warren, Michigan, indicating General Motors LLC’s involvement not only in design but also in the regional production of the car. This three-letter code is vital for identifying the car’s original manufacturer and is standardized globally to ensure uniqueness and traceability. Through the WMI, vehicles like the Buick Riviera can be easily traced back to their origins, providing essential information for registration, service, and history reports.
List of WMI Codes for a 1985 Buick Riviera
WMI: 1G4
- Model Years Covered: 1981-1985, 1987, 1989-1993, 1995-1999
- Example VIN: 1G4EZ57Y0FE444720
- 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 1985 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 1985 Buick Riviera:
| Known VDS for a 1985 Buick Riviera | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| EZ57Y | EZ679 | EZ67Y | EY579 |
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 1985 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 1985 Buick Riviera VIN — Year Code
| Year Code | Year |
|---|---|
| F | 1985 |
11th Character in the 1985 Buick Riviera VIN — Plant Code(s)
Known 1985 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 | Linden Assembly | 1G4EZ57Y0FE444720 |
VIN Characters 12 - 17 of a 1985 Buick Riviera
The final 6 characters in a 1985 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 1985 Buick Riviera’s VIN?
Locating the VIN number on your 1985 Buick Riviera is key for identification. Here’s how to find it:
- Examine the dashboard of your 1985 Buick Riviera on the driver’s side, where the VIN is typically visible through the windshield on a small metal or plastic plate.
- Look at the door post on the driver’s side where the door latches when closed; there should be a label or sticker with the VIN on your Buick Riviera.
- Check under the hood of your Buick Riviera; the VIN might be stamped on the engine block or on a plate attached to the engine compartment.
- Inspect the rear wheel well on the driver’s side; sometimes the VIN can be found stamped above the tire.
- Review your vehicle’s registration documents, insurance cards, or title, where the VIN of your 1985 Buick Riviera should be printed.
What info can a 1985 Buick Riviera VIN reveal?
- Model Year: The VIN can reveal the vehicles model year being the year 1985, providing insights into the age and potential market value of the vehicle.
- Vehicle Type and Body Class: The VIN designates the vehicle as a Passenger Car with a Coupe body style, providing insights into both the vehicle’s general category and its specific body shape.
- Engine Specifications: Details about the engine include a V-Shaped configuration with 6 cylinders and a displacement of 3.8 liters (or 3800 cc/231.89 ci), highlighting its powertrain structure.
- Fuel System and Type: Sequenced Fuel Injection (SFI) for fuel delivery and Gasoline as the primary fuel type are specified, offering clues about efficiency and performance.
- Manufacturing Information: The VIN reveals the vehicle was assembled in Linden, New Jersey, United States, at the Linden Assembly plant, pinpointing the exact location of manufacture.
- Model and Trim: It specifies the make as Riviera with a “T Type” trim level, providing detailed model information which can denote specific features or the overall level of luxury.
- Safety Features: The type of seat belt is mentioned as Manual, which could give an idea of the safety features available or standard for this model year and type.
Don’t have your 1985 Buick Riviera’s VIN handy? Try our license plate lookup instead!
Sample VIN Decode Report for a 1985 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 Number of Cylinders | 6 |
| Fuel Delivery / Fuel Injection Type | Sequential Fuel Injection (SFI) |
| Fuel Type - Primary | Gasoline |
| Model | Riviera |
| Model Year | 1985 |
| Plant City | Linden |
| Plant Company Name | Linden assembly |
| Plant Country | United States |
| Plant State | New Jersey |
| Seat Belt Type | Manual |
| Trim | T Type |
| Vehicle Descriptor | 1G4EY579*FE |
| Vehicle Type | Passenger Car |
| Sample_VIN | 1G4EY5790FE453414 |
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