How to decode a 1988 Chevrolet Monte Carlo VIN
Characters 1-3 of a 1988 Chevrolet Monte Carlo VIN
World Manufacturer Identifier (WMI) codes are unique sequences that identify the manufacturer of a vehicle globally. The WMI for the 1988 Chevrolet Monte Carlo, “1G1,” reveals a wealth of information: it signifies that General Motors LLC in the United States manufactured the vehicle, specifically in Warren, Michigan. This code is crucial for identifying the vehicle’s make, model, and the place of manufacturing, serving as the first three characters of the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN). These identifiers are critical for registration, recall notifications, and vehicle tracking. With this knowledge, owners and potential buyers of a 1988 Chevrolet Monte Carlo can better understand the origins and specifics of their vehicle.
List of WMI Codes for a 1988 Chevrolet Monte Carlo
WMI: 1G1
- Model Years Covered: 1981-1988
- Example VIN: 1G1GZ11G0JP108464
- 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 1988 Chevrolet Monte Carlo 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 1988 Chevrolet Monte Carlo:
| Known VDS for a 1988 Chevrolet Monte Carlo | |
|---|---|
| GZ11G | GZ11H |
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 1988 Chevrolet Monte Carlo 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 1988 Chevrolet Monte Carlo VIN — Year Code
| Year Code | Year |
|---|---|
| J | 1988 |
11th Character in the 1988 Chevrolet Monte Carlo VIN — Plant Code(s)
Known 1988 Chevrolet Monte Carlo Assembly Factory VIN Code(s)
| Plant Code | Plant City | Plant State | Plant Country | Plant Company Name | Example VIN |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| P | Pontiac | Michigan | United States | Pontiac Assembly | 1G1GZ11G0JP108464 |
VIN Characters 12 - 17 of a 1988 Chevrolet Monte Carlo
The final 6 characters in a 1988 Chevrolet Monte Carlo’s 17-digit VIN are its serial number, which will be unique to every vehicle.
Check your Chevrolet Monte Carlo’s VIN below:
How to find a 1988 Chevrolet Monte Carlo’s VIN?
Locating the VIN number on your 1988 Chevrolet Monte Carlo is key for identification. Here’s how to find it:
- Look at the dashboard in the driver’s side of your 1988 Chevrolet Monte Carlo. The VIN should be visible through the windshield.
- Examine the driver’s side door jamb on your Chevrolet Monte Carlo. The VIN might be found on a sticker or label near where the door latches when closed.
- Inspect the frame of the car near the windshield washer container under the hood of your Chevrolet Monte Carlo; the VIN may sometimes be stamped onto the frame.
- Check the rear wheel well above the tire; sometimes the VIN can be found stamped into the metal or on a sticker in that area on the Chevrolet Monte Carlo.
- Look at the ownership documents such as the title or registration card for the VIN of your 1988 Chevrolet Monte Carlo.
- Review your 1988 Chevrolet Monte Carlo’s insurance policy, as the VIN is typically listed on the insurance card or policy documentation.
What info can a 1988 Chevrolet Monte Carlo VIN reveal?
- Model Year: The VIN can possibly reveal the vehicles model year, such as 1988, providing insights into the age and potential market value of the vehicle.
- Body Class and Size: Based on the VIN, a vehicle can be identified as a Coupe with 2 doors, suggesting its body class and size.
- Engine Details: The VIN could provide detailed information about the vehicle’s engine, such as being a V-Shaped, 8-cylinder engine with a displacement of 5 liters (5000 CC or 305.1187204736 CI), manufactured by CPC.
- Fuel Type: It’s possible to determine the vehicle’s primary fuel type, which in this case might be Gasoline.
- Manufacturing Details: The VIN can often indicate the manufacturing location including the city (Pontiac), state (Michigan), country (United States), and the name of the plant (Pontiac Assembly).
- Vehicle Identification: Specific details like the model name, in this example, Monte Carlo, and potential safety features such as a Manual seat belt type, can often be inferred from the VIN.
- Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR): The VIN may possibly specify the vehicle’s GVWR, categorizing it within a certain class, which for this example is Class 1: 6,000 lb or less (2,722 kg or less).
Don’t have your 1988 Chevrolet Monte Carlo’s VIN handy? Try our license plate lookup instead!
Sample VIN Decode Report for a 1988 Chevrolet Monte Carlo
| Vehicle Spec | Value |
|---|---|
| Body Class | Coupe |
| Displacement (CC) | 5000 |
| Displacement (CI) | 305.1187204736 |
| Displacement (L) | 5 |
| Doors | 2 |
| Engine Configuration | V-Shaped |
| Engine Manufacturer | CPC |
| Engine Model | 4BBL |
| Engine Number of Cylinders | 8 |
| 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 | Monte Carlo |
| Model Year | 1988 |
| Plant City | Pontiac |
| Plant Company Name | Pontiac assembly |
| Plant Country | United States |
| Plant State | Michigan |
| Seat Belt Type | Manual |
| Vehicle Descriptor | 1G1GZ11G*JP |
| Vehicle Type | Passenger Car |
| Sample_VIN | 1G1GZ11G0JP108464 |
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