How to decode a 1986 Chevrolet Cavalier VIN
Characters 1-3 of a 1986 Chevrolet Cavalier VIN
A World Manufacturer Identifier (WMI) is a unique code made up of the first three characters of a vehicle’s VIN (Vehicle Identification Number), designated to identify the vehicle’s manufacturer, its country of origin, and the vehicle type. For the 1986 Chevrolet Cavalier, the WMI “1G1” reveals that General Motors LLC in the United States manufactured this passenger car. The “1” indicates that the car was produced in the United States, while the “G” signifies General Motors as the manufacturer. Finally, the “1” as the third character classifies the vehicle as a passenger car. This code provides a quick and straightforward method for identifying essential details about a vehicle’s origin and type.
List of WMI Codes for a 1986 Chevrolet Cavalier
WMI: 1G1
- Model Years Covered: 1983-1989, 1991-2005
- Example VIN: 1G1JF27W0G7240703
- 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 1986 Chevrolet Cavalier 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 1986 Chevrolet Cavalier:
| Known VDS for a 1986 Chevrolet Cavalier | ||
|---|---|---|
| JF27W | JE67W | JD35P |
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 1986 Chevrolet Cavalier 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 1986 Chevrolet Cavalier VIN — Year Code
| Year Code | Year |
|---|---|
| G | 1986 |
11th Character in the 1986 Chevrolet Cavalier VIN — Plant Code(s)
Known 1986 Chevrolet Cavalier Assembly Factory VIN Code(s)
| Plant Code | Plant City | Plant State | Plant Country | Plant Company Name | Example VIN |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 7 | Lordstown | Ohio | United States | Lordstown Assembly | 1G1JF27W0G7240703 |
| J | Janesville | Wisconsin | United States | Janesville Assembly Plant | 1G1JD35P2GJ165450 |
VIN Characters 12 - 17 of a 1986 Chevrolet Cavalier
The final 6 characters in a 1986 Chevrolet Cavalier’s 17-digit VIN are its serial number, which will be unique to every vehicle.
Check your Chevrolet Cavalier’s VIN below:
How to find a 1986 Chevrolet Cavalier’s VIN?
Locating the VIN number on your 1986 Chevrolet Cavalier is key for identification. Here’s how to find it:
- Examine the dashboard on the driver’s side of your 1986 Chevrolet Cavalier. The VIN is likely located on a metal plate that can be seen through the bottom corner of the windshield.
- Look at the door jamb on the driver’s side of your Chevrolet Cavalier. The VIN may be printed on a sticker or a plate where the door latches when closed.
- Open the hood of the Chevrolet Cavalier and check the front of the engine block. The VIN can sometimes be stamped directly onto the engine.
- Inspect the rear wheel well on the driver’s side. It’s less common, but the VIN might be found above the tire.
- Check underneath the spare tire in the trunk of your Cavalier. There may be a sticker with the VIN printed on it.
- Review your Chevrolet Cavalier’s vehicle registration documents, insurance papers, or the title, where the VIN is always listed.
What info can a 1986 Chevrolet Cavalier VIN reveal?
- Model Year: The VIN can reveal the vehicle’s model year, which in the case of the Chevrolet Cavalier RS is 1986, providing insights into the age and potential market value of the vehicle.
- Manufacturing Location: The assembly of the vehicle is traced back to Lordstown, Ohio, United States, showing where the vehicle was possibly constructed.
- Vehicle Specifications: Detailed specifications of the Chevrolet Cavalier RS can include a V-Shaped engine with a displacement of 2.8 liters (2800.0 CC or 170.866 CI) and 6 cylinders, possibly highlighting its powertrain characteristics.
- Body Type and Size: The VIN reveals the vehicle as a Convertible/Cabriolet with 2 doors, outlining its possible design and structural features.
- Fuel Type: It specifies the primary fuel type as Gasoline, possibly indicating the vehicle’s energy source.
- Safety Features: The VIN indicates that the vehicle is equipped with manual seat belts, which may be considered a vital safety feature.
- Gross Vehicle Weight Rating: Classified as Class 1, the gross vehicle weight rating is 6,000 lb or less (2,722 kg or less), possibly providing insight into the vehicle’s size and weight category.
Don’t have your 1986 Chevrolet Cavalier’s VIN handy? Try our license plate lookup instead!
Sample VIN Decode Report for a 1986 Chevrolet Cavalier
| Vehicle Spec | Value |
|---|---|
| Body Class | Coupe |
| Displacement (CC) | 2800.0 |
| Displacement (CI) | 170.86648346525 |
| Displacement (L) | 2.8 |
| Doors | 2 |
| Engine Configuration | V-Shaped |
| Engine Manufacturer | Chevrolet |
| Engine Number of Cylinders | 6 |
| 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 | Cavalier |
| Model Year | 1986 |
| Plant City | Lordstown |
| Plant Company Name | Lordstown assembly |
| Plant Country | United States |
| Plant State | Ohio |
| Seat Belt Type | Manual |
| Series | Z24 & Convertible |
| Vehicle Descriptor | 1G1JF27W*G7 |
| Vehicle Type | Passenger Car |
| Sample_VIN | 1G1JF27W0G7240703 |
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