How to decode a 1981 Chevrolet Chevette VIN
Characters 1-3 of a 1981 Chevrolet Chevette VIN
A World Manufacturer Identifier (WMI) is the initial set of three characters in a vehicle identification number (VIN) that uniquely identifies the manufacturer of the vehicle. Specifically, the WMI reveals the manufacturer’s name, the type of vehicle, and the country where the vehicle was produced. For the 1981 Chevrolet Chevette, the WMI “1G1” specifies that it was manufactured by General Motors LLC, classified as a passenger car, and produced in the United States, with Warren, Michigan being the city of manufacture. This standardized code plays a crucial role in vehicle tracking, registration, and recall processes, ensuring accurate identification of vehicles globally.
List of WMI Codes for a 1981 Chevrolet Chevette
WMI: 1G1
- Model Years Covered: 1981, 1984-1985
- Example VIN: 1G1AB6897BY302743
- 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 Chevette 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 Chevette:
| Known VDS for a 1981 Chevrolet Chevette |
|---|
| AB689 |
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 Chevette 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 Chevette VIN — Year Code
| Year Code | Year |
|---|---|
| B | 1981 |
11th Character in the 1981 Chevrolet Chevette VIN — Plant Code(s)
Known 1981 Chevrolet Chevette Assembly Factory VIN Code(s)
| Plant Code | Plant City | Plant State | Plant Country | Plant Company Name | Example VIN |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Y | Wilmington | Delaware | United States | Wilmington Assembly | 1G1AB6897BY302743 |
VIN Characters 12 - 17 of a 1981 Chevrolet Chevette
The final 6 characters in a 1981 Chevrolet Chevette’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 Chevette’s VIN?
Locating the VIN number on your 1981 Chevrolet Chevette is key for identification. Here’s how to find it:
- Inspect the dashboard on the driver’s side of your 1981 Chevrolet Chevette. Typically, the VIN can be seen through the windshield on a small plate attached to the dashboard.
- Look at the driver’s side door frame, specifically the door jamb. There should be a sticker or plate on the area where the door latches when it is closed which can contain the VIN.
- Peer under the hood and examine the front of the engine block. VINs can often be stamped onto the engine itself in older models like the 1981 Chevrolet Chevette.
- Raise the vehicle and check the chassis underneath. Sometimes VINs are inscribed on the frame, especially in the front or rear wheel wells.
- Review official documentation associated with the vehicle, such as the title, registration, and insurance papers. The VIN of your Chevrolet Chevette will be listed on these documents.
What info can a 1981 Chevrolet Chevette VIN reveal?
- Model Year: The VIN can reveal the vehicle’s model year, such as 1981, providing insights into the age and potential market value of the vehicle.
- Body Class and Doors: A VIN can specify the body class, helping to identify the vehicle as a Passenger Car with a Hatchback/Liftback/Notchback body style, possibly providing insights into the vehicle’s design and structure.
- Engine Type: Information about the engine, including its configuration as V-Shaped, displacement measurements (6000 CC, 366.142 CI, or 6 L), and the fact that it has 8 cylinders, might be discerned from the VIN.
- Fuel Efficiency: The primary fuel type for the vehicle is identified as Gasoline, indicating what type of fuel the engine is designed to use.
- Manufacturing Details: The VIN provides insights into the vehicle’s manufacturing, including the plant location in Wilmington, Delaware, United States, and the name of the manufacturing facility, Wilmington Assembly, which could be valuable for historical records.
- Safety Features: The type of seat belt installed in the vehicle is specified as Manual, possibly providing insights into the safety features equipped.
- Engine Manufacturer and Model: The VIN specifies the engine’s manufacturer as Chevrolet and also identifies the vehicle’s model as Chevette, offering detailed insights into the vehicle’s brand and model lineage.
Don’t have your 1981 Chevrolet Chevette’s VIN handy? Try our license plate lookup instead!
Sample VIN Decode Report for a 1981 Chevrolet Chevette
| Vehicle Spec | Value |
|---|---|
| Body Class | Hatchback/Liftback/Notchback |
| Displacement (CC) | 6000 |
| Displacement (CI) | 366.1424645683 |
| Displacement (L) | 6 |
| Doors | 4 |
| Engine Configuration | V-Shaped |
| Engine Manufacturer | Chevrolet |
| Engine Number of Cylinders | 8 |
| Fuel Type - Primary | Gasoline |
| Model | Chevette |
| Model Year | 1981 |
| Plant City | Wilmington |
| Plant Company Name | Wilmington assembly |
| Plant Country | United States |
| Plant State | Delaware |
| Seat Belt Type | Manual |
| Vehicle Descriptor | 1G1AB689*BY |
| Vehicle Type | Passenger Car |
| Sample_VIN | 1G1AB6897BY302743 |
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