How to decode a 1981 Oldsmobile Cutlass Calais VIN
Characters 1-3 of a 1981 Oldsmobile Cutlass Calais VIN
A World Manufacturer Identifier (WMI) is a unique code that forms the first three characters of a Vehicle Identification Number (VIN), providing essential details about the vehicle’s maker and its characteristics. In the case of the 1981 Oldsmobile Cutlass-Calais, the WMI “1G3” denotes that the vehicle was manufactured by General Motors LLC in the United States, specifically in Warren, Michigan. This code is critical in identifying the make and country of origin of the vehicle, key components for registration, identification, and regulatory documentation. It also indicates that this particular model is a passenger car, produced in specific model years including 1981. The WMI is a vital part of automotive identification, offering a standardized method to track and distinguish vehicles on an international level.
List of WMI Codes for a 1981 Oldsmobile Cutlass Calais
WMI: 1G3
- Model Years Covered: 1981, 1983-1985, 1987-1989, 1991
- Example VIN: 1G3AK47A0BM532039
- 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 Oldsmobile Cutlass Calais 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 Oldsmobile Cutlass Calais:
| Known VDS for a 1981 Oldsmobile Cutlass Calais |
|---|
| AK47A |
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 Oldsmobile Cutlass Calais 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 Oldsmobile Cutlass Calais VIN — Year Code
| Year Code | Year |
|---|---|
| B | 1981 |
11th Character in the 1981 Oldsmobile Cutlass Calais VIN — Plant Code(s)
Known 1981 Oldsmobile Cutlass Calais Assembly Factory VIN Code(s)
| Plant Code | Plant City | Plant State | Plant Country | Plant Company Name | Example VIN |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| M | Lansing | Michigan | United States | Lansing Car Assembly-Chassis (North) | 1G3AK47A0BM532039 |
VIN Characters 12 - 17 of a 1981 Oldsmobile Cutlass Calais
The final 6 characters in a 1981 Oldsmobile Cutlass Calais’s 17-digit VIN are its serial number, which will be unique to every vehicle.
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How to find a 1981 Oldsmobile Cutlass Calais’s VIN?
Locating the VIN number on your 1981 Oldsmobile Cutlass Calais is key for identification. Here’s how to find it:
- Look at the dashboard on the driver’s side of your Oldsmobile Cutlass Calais. The VIN can typically be seen through the windshield on a small plate.
- Open the driver’s side door to check the door jamb for a label or sticker on the Oldsmobile Cutlass Calais, where the door latches when closed.
- Examine the firewall of the vehicle’s engine bay, where the VIN may be stamped directly into the sheet metal.
- Inspect the vehicle documents for your 1981 Oldsmobile Cutlass Calais, such as the title, registration, or insurance paperwork, where the VIN will be listed.
- On some older models like the Oldsmobile Cutlass Calais, the VIN may also be found on the frame near the windshield washer fluid container.
- Look underneath the spare tire in the trunk area or storage compartment, as some models have the VIN located there.
What info can a 1981 Oldsmobile Cutlass Calais VIN reveal?
- Model Year: The VIN can reveal the vehicles model year being the year 1981, providing insights into the age and potential market value of the vehicle.
- Body Class and Doors: A VIN can specify the body class, indicating that the vehicle is designed as a Coupe with 2 doors, offering insights into the body style and structure.
- Engine Specifications: The VIN may include details such as a V-Shaped engine configuration, 3.8 Liter displacement, and it being a 6-cylinder engine made by Oldsmobile, which can provide insights into the vehicle’s performance attributes and manufacturer details.
- Fuel Type: The primary fuel type identified is Gasoline, indicating the vehicle’s fuel efficiency and environmental footprint.
- Manufacturing Location: The VIN points to Lansing, Michigan, United States as the manufacturing location, providing information on the production origin.
- Safety Features: It includes a manual seat belt type, which can be crucial for understanding the vehicle’s safety equipment.
- Vehicle Descriptor and Sample VIN: The specific sequence like 1G3AK47A*BM within the VIN can offer deeper insights into vehicle specifications and authenticity checks.
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Sample VIN Decode Report for a 1981 Oldsmobile Cutlass Calais
| Vehicle Spec | Value |
|---|---|
| Body Class | Coupe |
| Displacement (CC) | 3800.0 |
| Displacement (CI) | 231.89022755998 |
| Displacement (L) | 3.8 |
| Doors | 2 |
| Engine Configuration | V-Shaped |
| Engine Manufacturer | Oldsmobile |
| Engine Number of Cylinders | 6 |
| Fuel Type - Primary | Gasoline |
| Model | Cutlass Calais |
| Model Year | 1981 |
| Plant City | Lansing |
| Plant Company Name | Lansing Car assembly-Chassis (north) |
| Plant Country | United States |
| Plant State | Michigan |
| Seat Belt Type | Manual |
| Vehicle Descriptor | 1G3AK47A*BM |
| Vehicle Type | Passenger Car |
| Sample_VIN | 1G3AK47A0BM532039 |
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