How to decode a 1998 Chevrolet Corvette VIN

Characters 1-3 of a 1998 Chevrolet Corvette VIN

World Manufacturer Identifier (WMI) codes are unique sequences used to identify the manufacturer of a vehicle. The first three digits of a Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) comprise the WMI, indicating the vehicle’s manufacturer, country of origin, and vehicle type. For example, the 1998 Chevrolet Corvette has a WMI of “1G1,” signifying that it was manufactured by General Motors LLC in the United States, specifically in Warren, Michigan. As a passenger car, this Corvette’s VIN starts with “1G1,” followed by additional characters that detail its specifications, model, and production sequence. WMIs are essential for vehicle registration, identification, and recall processes.

List of WMI Codes for a 1998 Chevrolet Corvette

WMI: 1G1

Model Years Covered: 1981-1982, 1984-2024
Example VIN: 1G1YY32G0W5100272
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 1998 Chevrolet Corvette 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 1998 Chevrolet Corvette:

Known VDS for a 1998 Chevrolet Corvette
YY32G	YY22G

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 1998 Chevrolet Corvette 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 1998 Chevrolet Corvette VIN — Year Code

Year Code	Year
W	1998

11th Character in the 1998 Chevrolet Corvette VIN — Plant Code(s)

Known 1998 Chevrolet Corvette Assembly Factory VIN Code(s)

Plant Code	Plant City	Plant State	Plant Country	Plant Company Name	Example VIN
5	Bowling Green	Kentucky	United States	Na-Gm Corp	1G1YY32G0W5100272

VIN Characters 12 - 17 of a 1998 Chevrolet Corvette

The final 6 characters in a 1998 Chevrolet Corvette’s 17-digit VIN are its serial number, which will be unique to every vehicle.

Check your Chevrolet Corvette’s VIN below:

How to find a 1998 Chevrolet Corvette’s VIN?

Locating the VIN number on your 1998 Chevrolet Corvette is key for identification. Here’s how to find it:

Examine the dashboard on the driver’s side of your 1998 Chevrolet Corvette. You can usually see the VIN by looking through the windshield where it meets the dashboard.
Look inside the door frame on the driver’s side of your Corvette when you open the door. The VIN is commonly located on a sticker or plate where the door latches.
Inspect the engine block on your 1998 Chevrolet Corvette. The VIN may also be stamped onto the engine itself.
Lift the carpet in the rear interior of your Chevrolet Corvette and check for a VIN plate on the chassis.
Refer to your 1998 Chevrolet Corvette’s service maintenance book or owner’s manual; the VIN is often printed on the front page or inside cover.
If your Corvette still has its original documentation, you can find the VIN on the vehicle title, registration, or insurance card.

What info can a 1998 Chevrolet Corvette VIN reveal?

Model Year: The VIN can reveal the vehicle’s model year, suggesting that the vehicle is likely from 1998, giving insights into its potential market value and age.
Vehicle Type and Body Class: It can be decoded as a Passenger Car with a specific body class of Convertible/Cabriolet, demonstrating the variety and specificity of vehicle types that can be identified.
Engine Specifications: Engine details such as being V-Shaped with 8 cylinders and having a displacement of 5.71 liters (348.45 cubic inches) are encoded, illustrating the engine’s potential power and configuration.
Fuel and Injection Type: The VIN indicates that the vehicle uses Multipoint Fuel Injection (MPFI), which offers details about its fuel delivery system that may provide insights into its efficiency and performance.
Manufacturing Location: It is specified that the vehicle was manufactured in Bowling Green, Kentucky, United States. Knowing this information can be crucial for understanding the origin and potential quality control of the vehicle.
Safety Features: The VIN notes the presence of front airbags for both the driver and passenger in the 1st row, showcasing the type of safety features included.
Gross Vehicle Weight Rating: Classified under Class 1, which is 6,000 lb or less (2,722 kg or less), providing an idea of the vehicle’s size and the potential licensing requirements.

Don’t have your 1998 Chevrolet Corvette’s VIN handy? Try our license plate lookup instead!

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Sample VIN Decode Report for a 1998 Chevrolet Corvette

Vehicle Spec	Value
Body Class	Convertible/Cabriolet
Displacement (CC)	5710.00
Displacement (CI)	348.445578780921
Displacement (L)	5.71
Doors	2
Engine Configuration	V-Shaped
Engine Manufacturer	WRN
Engine Number of Cylinders	8
Front Air Bag Locations	1st Row (Driver and Passenger)
Fuel Delivery / Fuel Injection Type	Multipoint Fuel Injection (MPFI)
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	Corvette
Model Year	1998
Other Engine Info	Name Plate: Chevrolet, Pontiac
Plant City	Bowling Green
Plant Company Name	NA-GM Corp
Plant Country	United States
Plant State	Kentucky
Seat Belt Type	Manual
Vehicle Descriptor	1G1YY32G*W5
Vehicle Type	Passenger Car
Sample_VIN	1G1YY32G0W5100272