How to decode a 1987 Chevrolet Nova VIN
Characters 1-3 of a 1987 Chevrolet Nova VIN
A World Manufacturer Identifier (WMI) is a unique code used to identify the manufacturer of a vehicle, revealing the first few characters of a vehicle’s VIN (Vehicle Identification Number). This code not only identifies the maker but also provides information about the vehicle type and its production location. For instance, Chevrolet Novas from 1987 have a WMI of 1Y1, indicating they were produced by New United Motor Manufacturing, Inc., a company located in Fremont, California, United States. These vehicles are categorized as passenger cars, aligning with what one would expect from Chevrolet’s Nova line during that era. The WMI is pivotal in vehicle identification, offering an initial layer of detail essential for automotive regulation, tracking, and recall purposes.
List of WMI Codes for a 1987 Chevrolet Nova
WMI: 1Y1
- Model Years Covered: 1986-1988
- Example VIN: 1Y1SK5143HZ058365
- Manufacturer Name: New United Motor Manufacturing, Inc.
- Vehicle Type: Passenger Car
- City: Fremont
- State or Province: California
- Country: United States
Characters 4-8 are the Vehicle Descriptor Section (VDS) of a 1987 Chevrolet Nova 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 1987 Chevrolet Nova:
| Known VDS for a 1987 Chevrolet Nova |
|---|
| SK514 |
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 1987 Chevrolet Nova 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 1987 Chevrolet Nova VIN — Year Code
| Year Code | Year |
|---|---|
| H | 1987 |
11th Character in the 1987 Chevrolet Nova VIN — Plant Code(s)
Known 1987 Chevrolet Nova Assembly Factory VIN Code(s)
| Plant Code | Plant City | Plant State | Plant Country | Plant Company Name | Example VIN |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Z | Fremont | California | United States | New United Motor Manufacturing, Inc. | 1Y1SK5143HZ058365 |
VIN Characters 12 - 17 of a 1987 Chevrolet Nova
The final 6 characters in a 1987 Chevrolet Nova’s 17-digit VIN are its serial number, which will be unique to every vehicle.
Check your Chevrolet Nova’s VIN below:
How to find a 1987 Chevrolet Nova’s VIN?
Locating the VIN number on your 1987 Chevrolet Nova is key for identification. Here’s how to find it:
- Examine the dashboard on the driver’s side of your Chevrolet Nova. You can typically find the VIN by looking through the windshield near the bottom corner.
- Look at the driver’s side door post when you open the door of your 1987 Chevrolet Nova. The VIN is often located on a sticker or a plate where the door latches.
- Check under the hood of your Chevrolet Nova for any metal tags on the engine block, as VINs were sometimes stamped directly onto engine components.
- Inspect the rear wheel wells of your Nova. You may need to crouch down and check the upper part of the wheel well for a stamped VIN.
- If your Chevrolet Nova still has its service parts identification label, it may be in the trunk area or under the spare tire cover, where the VIN along with other codes is listed.
- For classic models like the Nova, consult the vehicle’s title or registration documents, which will list the VIN along with other important vehicle information.
What info can a 1987 Chevrolet Nova VIN reveal?
- Model Year: The VIN can reveal the vehicles model year being the year 1987, providing insights into the age and potential market value of the vehicle.
- Body Class: The VIN uncovers the body class of the vehicle, for example, Sedan/Saloon, providing a clear idea of the vehicle’s design and utility.
- Engine Specifications: From the VIN, one might deduce vital engine details such as an In-Line configuration, displacement in liters (1.60 L), cubic inches (97.637990551571 CI), or cubic centimeters (1600.00 CC), and the number of cylinders (4), which are crucial for understanding performance and fuel efficiency.
- Manufacturing Details: The VIN can reveal manufacturing specifics like the plant city (Fremont), plant state (California), plant country (United States), and even the name of the manufacturing company (New United Motor Manufacturing, Inc.), helping trace the vehicle’s origin.
- Safety Features: Safety equipment such as the type of seat belts (Manual) equipped in the vehicle could also be inferred, providing insights into the safety standards at the time of manufacture.
- Vehicle Type: Through the VIN, the type of vehicle, in this case, “Passenger Car”, can be identified, aiding in understanding the vehicle’s primary use and classification.
- Unique Vehicle Identifier: Each VIN contains a unique descriptor (e.g., 1Y1SK514*HZ) and a sample VIN number (1Y1SK5143HZ058365) that can be used to unlock a wealth of specific information about that individual vehicle, from its specifications to its history.
Don’t have your 1987 Chevrolet Nova’s VIN handy? Try our license plate lookup instead!
Sample VIN Decode Report for a 1987 Chevrolet Nova
| Vehicle Spec | Value |
|---|---|
| Body Class | Sedan/Saloon |
| Displacement (CC) | 1600.00 |
| Displacement (CI) | 97.637990551571 |
| Displacement (L) | 1.60 |
| Doors | 4 |
| Engine Configuration | In-Line |
| Engine Number of Cylinders | 4 |
| Model | Nova |
| Model Year | 1987 |
| Plant City | Fremont |
| Plant Company Name | New United Motor Manufacturing, Inc. |
| Plant Country | United States |
| Plant State | California |
| Seat Belt Type | Manual |
| Vehicle Descriptor | 1Y1SK514*HZ |
| Vehicle Type | Passenger Car |
| Sample_VIN | 1Y1SK5143HZ058365 |
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