How to decode a 1981 Chevrolet El Camino VIN
Characters 1-3 of a 1981 Chevrolet El Camino VIN
World Manufacturer Identifier (WMI) codes are a unique sequence of three characters that are part of the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN), which identify the manufacturer of any given vehicle. Specifically, for the 1981 Chevrolet El Camino, the WMI “1GC” signifies vehicles produced by General Motors LLC, located in Warren, Michigan, United States. This sequence not only confirms the vehicle as a truck but also verifies its American manufacturing origins. WMIs are crucial for regulatory and identification purposes, allowing for the easy tracing of vehicle manufacturing details. For collectors and enthusiasts, knowing the WMI can provide valuable insight into the vehicle’s history and authenticity.
List of WMI Codes for a 1981 Chevrolet El Camino
WMI: 1GC
- Model Years Covered: 1981-1984
- Example VIN: 1GCCW80A9BR432331
- Manufacturer Name: General Motors LLC
- Vehicle Type: Truck
- City: Warren
- State or Province: Michigan
- Country: United States
Characters 4-8 are the Vehicle Descriptor Section (VDS) of a 1981 Chevrolet El Camino 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 El Camino:
| Known VDS for a 1981 Chevrolet El Camino | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| CW80A | CW80K | CW80H | CW80J |
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 El Camino 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 El Camino VIN — Year Code
| Year Code | Year |
|---|---|
| B | 1981 |
11th Character in the 1981 Chevrolet El Camino VIN — Plant Code(s)
Known 1981 Chevrolet El Camino Assembly Factory VIN Code(s)
| Plant Code | Plant City | Plant State | Plant Country | Plant Company Name | Example VIN |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| D | Doraville | Georgia | United States | Doraville Assembly (C-P-C) | 1GCCW80K1BD439537 |
| R | Arlington | Texas | United States | Arlington Assembly | 1GCCW80A9BR432331 |
| Z | Fremont | California | United States | 1GCCW80A3BZ402435 |
VIN Characters 12 - 17 of a 1981 Chevrolet El Camino
The final 6 characters in a 1981 Chevrolet El Camino’s 17-digit VIN are its serial number, which will be unique to every vehicle.
Check your Chevrolet El Camino’s VIN below:
How to find a 1981 Chevrolet El Camino’s VIN?
Locating the VIN number on your 1981 Chevrolet El Camino is key for identification. Here’s how to find it:
- Look at the dashboard on the driver’s side of your 1981 Chevrolet El Camino, near where it meets the windshield. The VIN is often visible from outside the vehicle through the lower corner of the windshield.
- Examine the driver’s side door frame of your El Camino for a VIN sticker. This is typically located where the door latches to the body of the car.
- On some 1981 models, the VIN can also be found on the engine block. Check the front of the engine for any stamped numbers which may correspond to the VIN.
- Investigate the frame of your Chevrolet El Camino for the VIN, which might be stamped on the chassis itself.
- Peruse the documents associated with the vehicle, such as the title, registration, or insurance papers, which will have the VIN listed for your 1981 Chevrolet El Camino.
What info can a 1981 Chevrolet El Camino VIN reveal?
- Model Year: The VIN can reveal the vehicle’s model year as 1981, providing insights into the age and potential market value of the vehicle.
- Body Class and Doors: The VIN indicates the body class as a Pickup, offering detailed insights into the vehicle’s design and structure. It also specifies the vehicle as having 2 doors, potentially influencing accessibility and interior layout.
- Engine Details: The VIN encodes information about the engine, revealing it to be a V-shaped, 5.0L (5000 CC or 305.11872047366 CI) engine with 8 cylinders and manufactured by Chevrolet.
- Fuel Type: The VIN notes the primary fuel type for this vehicle as Gasoline, pointing towards the vehicle’s energy source.
- Drive Type: The VIN details the vehicle’s drive type as 4x2, which can help in understanding the vehicle’s handling characteristics and drive configuration.
- Plant Information: Production details encoded in the VIN include the manufacturing location as Doraville, Georgia, United States, at the Doraville Assembly (C-P-C), offering a glimpse into the vehicle’s origin.
- Safety and Weight Classification: The VIN indicates the vehicle’s gross vehicle weight rating as Class 1C: 4,001 - 5,000 lb (1,814 - 2,268 kg), which can infer potential safety and regulatory categories.
Don’t have your 1981 Chevrolet El Camino’s VIN handy? Try our license plate lookup instead!
Sample VIN Decode Report for a 1981 Chevrolet El Camino
| Vehicle Spec | Value |
|---|---|
| Body Class | Pickup |
| Brake System Type | Hydraulic |
| Displacement (CC) | 5000.0 |
| Displacement (CI) | 305.11872047366 |
| Displacement (L) | 5.0 |
| Doors | 2 |
| Drive Type | 4x2 |
| Engine Configuration | V-Shaped |
| Engine Manufacturer | Chevrolet |
| Engine Model | 4BBL |
| Engine Number of Cylinders | 8 |
| Fuel Type - Primary | Gasoline |
| Gross Vehicle Weight Rating From | Class 1C: 4,001 - 5,000 lb (1,814 - 2,268 kg) |
| Model | El Camino |
| Model Year | 1981 |
| Plant City | Arlington |
| Plant Company Name | Arlington assembly |
| Plant Country | United States |
| Plant State | Texas |
| Series | Special Pickup and Panel Delivery from Passenger car |
| Trim | 1/2 ton |
| Vehicle Descriptor | 1GCCW80H*BR |
| Vehicle Type | Truck |
| Sample_VIN | 1GCCW80H2BR459917 |
Ready, Set, Bumper...
Try Bumper today and learn more about a vehicle you plan to buy or already own.
TRY Bumper Today