How to decode a 1989 Chevrolet Caprice VIN
Characters 1-3 of a 1989 Chevrolet Caprice VIN
A World Manufacturer Identifier (WMI) is a unique three-letter or digit code assigned to automotive manufacturers to specify the vehicle’s country of origin, manufacturer, and type. For example, in the case of a 1989 Chevrolet Caprice, the WMI “1G1” reveals that the vehicle was manufactured by General Motors LLC in the United States, specifically in Warren, Michigan. This code is the first segment of the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN), providing vital information about the car, including its production year, which in this context pertains to the period between 1982 and 1996. The WMI is integral to identifying vehicles globally, serving as a standardized reference for automotive manufacturers and regulatory agencies.
List of WMI Codes for a 1989 Chevrolet Caprice
WMI: 1G1
- Model Years Covered: 1982-1996
- Example VIN: 1G1BN51E0KR100849
- 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 Chevrolet Caprice 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 Chevrolet Caprice:
| Known VDS for a 1989 Chevrolet Caprice | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| BN51E | BN81Y | BU51E | BL51E |
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 Chevrolet Caprice 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 Chevrolet Caprice VIN — Year Code
| Year Code | Year |
|---|---|
| K | 1989 |
11th Character in the 1989 Chevrolet Caprice VIN — Plant Code(s)
Known 1989 Chevrolet Caprice Assembly Factory VIN Code(s)
| Plant Code | Plant City | Plant State | Plant Country | Plant Company Name | Example VIN |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| A | Lakewood Heights | Georgia | United States | Lakewood Assembly | 1G1BN51E8KA118661 |
| R | Arlington | Texas | United States | Na-Mcd | 1G1BN51E0KR100849 |
VIN Characters 12 - 17 of a 1989 Chevrolet Caprice
The final 6 characters in a 1989 Chevrolet Caprice’s 17-digit VIN are its serial number, which will be unique to every vehicle.
Check your Chevrolet Caprice’s VIN below:
How to find a 1989 Chevrolet Caprice’s VIN?
Locating the VIN number on your 1989 Chevrolet Caprice is key for identification. Here’s how to find it:
- Look at the dashboard on the driver’s side of your Chevrolet Caprice 1989. The VIN can usually be seen through the windshield.
- Open the door on the driver’s side of your Chevrolet Caprice 1989 and check the area where the door latches when closed, also known as the door jamb. There should be a sticker or plate with the VIN.
- Examine the engine block of your Chevrolet Caprice 1989, as the VIN is sometimes stamped onto the engine itself.
- Inspect the trunk area of your Chevrolet Caprice 1989. It could be under the spare tire or on the trunk lid in a sticker form.
- Look at the frame of the vehicle near the windshield washer container for a plaque or sticker containing the VIN on your Chevrolet Caprice 1989.
What info can a 1989 Chevrolet Caprice 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.
- Vehicle Type and Body Class: The VIN categorizes the vehicle as a Passenger Car with a Sedan/Saloon body, offering detailed insights into the vehicle’s design and intended use.
- Engine Details: The VIN discloses that the Sedan has a V-Shaped engine configuration, with an 8 cylinder engine that displaces 5.0 liters, indicating the vehicle’s potential power and performance.
- Fuel Type: It specifies Gasoline as the primary fuel type, which can contribute to understanding the vehicle’s environmental impact and fuel economy.
- Plant Information: The manufacturing details such as the Plant Company Name ‘Lakewood Assembly’, Plant Country ‘United States’, and Plant City ‘Lakewood Heights’ are encoded, shedding light on the origin of the vehicle.
- Safety Features: The VIN indicates the vehicle is equipped with Manual seat belts, offering insights into the safety technologies used at the time of manufacture.
- Gross Vehicle Weight Rating: The data positions the vehicle in Class 1, with a GVWR of 6,000 lb or less, which can be useful in determining vehicle handling, registration, and regulation requirements.
Don’t have your 1989 Chevrolet Caprice’s VIN handy? Try our license plate lookup instead!
Sample VIN Decode Report for a 1989 Chevrolet Caprice
| Vehicle Spec | Value |
|---|---|
| Body Class | Sedan/Saloon |
| Displacement (CC) | 5000.0 |
| Displacement (CI) | 305.11872047366 |
| Displacement (L) | 5.0 |
| Doors | 4 |
| Engine Configuration | V-Shaped |
| Engine Manufacturer | CPC |
| Engine Number of Cylinders | 8 |
| Fuel Delivery / Fuel Injection Type | Throttle Body Fuel Injection (TBI) |
| 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 | Caprice |
| Model Year | 1989 |
| Plant City | Arlington |
| Plant Company Name | NA-MCD |
| Plant Country | United States |
| Plant State | Texas |
| Seat Belt Type | Manual |
| Series | Classic |
| Vehicle Descriptor | 1G1BN51E*KR |
| Vehicle Type | Passenger Car |
| Sample_VIN | 1G1BN51E0KR100849 |
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