How to decode a 1981 Chevrolet Camaro VIN
Characters 1-3 of a 1981 Chevrolet Camaro VIN
A World Manufacturer Identifier (WMI) is a unique code consisting of the first three characters in a Vehicle Identification Number (VIN), pivotal in identifying the vehicle’s manufacturer, country of origin, and type. For instance, with Chevrolet Camaros produced between 1981 and 1992, and then from 2016 to 2024, the WMI “1G1” signals that these vehicles are manufactured by General Motors LLC, specifically indicating passenger cars. This series is associated with vehicles assembled in Warren, Michigan, United States, providing a succinct yet comprehensive snapshot of the vehicle’s lineage. The WMI system plays a crucial role in the global tracking and registration of vehicles, ensuring a standardized method of vehicle identification worldwide. Such information is not only useful for regulatory compliance but also for consumers seeking to understand the origins and specifications of their vehicle.
List of WMI Codes for a 1981 Chevrolet Camaro
WMI: 1G1
- Model Years Covered: 1981-1992, 2016-2024
- Example VIN: 1G1AP87H0BN118414
- 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 Chevrolet Camaro 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 Chevrolet Camaro:
| Known VDS for a 1981 Chevrolet Camaro | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| AP87H | AS87H | AP87K | AP87L | AS87J | AP87J |
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 Chevrolet Camaro 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 Chevrolet Camaro VIN — Year Code
| Year Code | Year |
|---|---|
| B | 1981 |
11th Character in the 1981 Chevrolet Camaro VIN — Plant Code(s)
Known 1981 Chevrolet Camaro Assembly Factory VIN Code(s)
| Plant Code | Plant City | Plant State | Plant Country | Plant Company Name | Example VIN |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| L | Van Nuys | California | United States | 1G1AS87H9BL135352 | |
| N | Norwood | Ohio | United States | 1G1AP87H0BN118414 |
VIN Characters 12 - 17 of a 1981 Chevrolet Camaro
The final 6 characters in a 1981 Chevrolet Camaro’s 17-digit VIN are its serial number, which will be unique to every vehicle.
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How to find a 1981 Chevrolet Camaro’s VIN?
Locating the VIN number on your 1981 Chevrolet Camaro is key for identification. Here’s how to find it:
- Look at the dashboard on the driver’s side of your Chevrolet Camaro, near where the dashboard meets the windshield. The VIN can usually be seen through the windshield.
- Examine the driver’s side door jamb on your 1981 Chevrolet Camaro. The VIN might be located on a sticker or a plate where the door latches.
- Check the engine block of your Chevrolet Camaro, which often has the VIN stamped directly onto the metal surface.
- Inspect the frame of the vehicle, beneath the hood and around the area where the fenders meet the frame. VINs are sometimes stamped directly into the car’s frame.
- Look for the VIN on the vehicle’s registration documents, insurance cards, or the title, as these should all contain the VIN for your Chevrolet Camaro.
- If your Chevrolet Camaro still has its original service book or owner’s manual, the VIN is usually written inside the front cover or on a designated section within.
What info can a 1981 Chevrolet Camaro VIN reveal?
- Model Year: The VIN can reveal the vehicles model year being the year 1981, providing insights into the age and potential market value of the vehicle.
- Body Class and Doors: The VIN decoded indicates that the vehicle is a Coupe with 2 doors, providing insights into the body style and size.
- Engine Specifications: The details decode to a Chevrolet engine with a V-Shaped configuration and 6 cylinders, having a displacement of 3.8 Liters or 3800.0 CC, underscoring the vehicle’s power capacity.
- Fuel Type: It is specified that the car runs on Gasoline, offering insight into fuel efficiency and potential running costs.
- Manufacturing Location: The assembly of the vehicle is traced back to Norwood, Ohio, United States, indicating the geographic origin of manufacturing.
- Vehicle Type and Series: The VIN classifies the vehicle as a Passenger Car under the Sport series, highlighting the vehicle’s intended use and possible features.
- Gross Vehicle Weight Rating: Mentioned as Class 1: 6,000 lb or less (2,722 kg or less), this specifies the vehicle’s weight category, affecting classification for regulatory and usage purposes.
Don’t have your 1981 Chevrolet Camaro’s VIN handy? Try our license plate lookup instead!
Sample VIN Decode Report for a 1981 Chevrolet Camaro
| Vehicle Spec | Value |
|---|---|
| Body Class | Coupe |
| Displacement (CC) | 4400.0 |
| Displacement (CI) | 268.50447401682 |
| Displacement (L) | 4.4 |
| Doors | 2 |
| Engine Configuration | V-Shaped |
| Engine Manufacturer | Chevrolet |
| Engine Number of Cylinders | 8 |
| Fuel Type - Primary | Gasoline |
| Gross Vehicle Weight Rating From | Class 1: 6,000 lb or less (2,722 kg or less) |
| Gross Vehicle Weight Rating To | Class 1: 6,000 lb or less (2,722 kg or less) |
| Model | Camaro |
| Model Year | 1981 |
| Plant City | Van Nuys |
| Plant Company Name | |
| Plant Country | United States |
| Plant State | California |
| Seat Belt Type | Manual |
| Series | Sport |
| Vehicle Descriptor | 1G1AP87J*BL |
| Vehicle Type | Passenger Car |
| Sample_VIN | 1G1AP87J0BL145255 |
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