How to decode a 1981 Oldsmobile Delta 88 VIN
Characters 1-3 of a 1981 Oldsmobile Delta 88 VIN
A World Manufacturer Identifier (WMI) is an integral part of the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) system, uniquely identifying the manufacturer of any given vehicle. Specifically, for the 1981 Oldsmobile Delta-88, the WMI is “1G3”, indicating that this vehicle was manufactured by General Motors LLC, in the United States. The “1G” segment pinpoints the United States as the country of manufacture, while the “3” signifies General Motors as the specific manufacturer. Manufactured in Warren, Michigan, this luxury passenger car is an example of American automotive history, with its WMI indicating its origins and pedigree. The WMI is essential for distinguishing vehicles, providing valuable information about the vehicle’s manufacturer and origin.
List of WMI Codes for a 1981 Oldsmobile Delta 88
WMI: 1G3
- Model Years Covered: 1981-1990
- Example VIN: 1G3AN69Y1BM250117
- 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 Delta 88 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 Delta 88:
| Known VDS for a 1981 Oldsmobile Delta 88 | |
|---|---|
| AN69Y | AY37Y |
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 Delta 88 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 Delta 88 VIN — Year Code
| Year Code | Year |
|---|---|
| B | 1981 |
11th Character in the 1981 Oldsmobile Delta 88 VIN — Plant Code(s)
Known 1981 Oldsmobile Delta 88 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) | 1G3AN69Y1BM250117 |
VIN Characters 12 - 17 of a 1981 Oldsmobile Delta 88
The final 6 characters in a 1981 Oldsmobile Delta 88’s 17-digit VIN are its serial number, which will be unique to every vehicle.
Check your Oldsmobile Delta 88’s VIN below:
How to find a 1981 Oldsmobile Delta 88’s VIN?
Locating the VIN number on your 1981 Oldsmobile Delta 88 is key for identification. Here’s how to find it:
- Examine the dashboard on the driver’s side of your Oldsmobile Delta-88, particularly near the windshield where a small plate with the VIN can often be seen from outside the vehicle.
- Look at the driver-side door jamb on your 1981 Oldsmobile Delta-88. There may be a sticker or a plate where the door latches that displays the VIN.
- Check the firewall of the engine compartment; often, there is a plate attached there with the VIN for vehicles like your Oldsmobile Delta-88.
- Inspect the frame of the car. On older vehicles such as your 1981 Delta-88, the VIN might be stamped onto the chassis or the frame near the engine bay or other components.
- Review your Oldsmobile Delta-88’s insurance and registration documents, as the VIN will be listed on these forms for identification purposes.
- Consult the vehicle title or the owner’s manual, as these documents typically include the VIN for reference.
What info can a 1981 Oldsmobile Delta 88 VIN reveal?
- Model Year: The VIN can reveal the vehicle’s model year, potentially indicating it was manufactured in 1981, providing insights into the age and possibly the design period of the car.
- Body Class and Size: The VIN can specify the body class, such as a Coupe, possibly indicating the style and size of the vehicle, which in this case, may possess 2 doors, fitting the profile of a compact and sporty model.
- Engine Specifics: Engine details, such as a 5.0-liter displacement, V-shaped configuration, and it being an 8-cylinder engine by Oldsmobile, may shed light on the vehicle’s powertrain and performance capabilities.
- Fuel Type: The primary fuel type for this vehicle is gasoline, which may give an idea of fuel efficiency and environmental impact.
- Manufacturing Details: The VIN discloses manufacturing specifics, including that it was assembled in Lansing, Michigan, United States, potentially at the Lansing Car Assembly - Chassis (North) plant, possibly highlighting its American origin.
- Safety Features: The mention of a manual seat belt type provides a glimpse into the safety features and standards of the time, which can be crucial for restorers or collectors.
- Vehicle Trim: The trim level, Royale Brougham, specified in the VIN, hints at the vehicle’s luxury features, interior design, and possible additional equipment that distinguishes it from basic models.
Don’t have your 1981 Oldsmobile Delta 88’s VIN handy? Try our license plate lookup instead!
Sample VIN Decode Report for a 1981 Oldsmobile Delta 88
| Vehicle Spec | Value |
|---|---|
| Body Class | Sedan/Saloon |
| Displacement (CC) | 5000 |
| Displacement (CI) | 305.1187204736 |
| Displacement (L) | 5 |
| Doors | 4 |
| Engine Configuration | V-Shaped |
| Engine Manufacturer | Oldsmobile |
| Engine Number of Cylinders | 8 |
| Fuel Type - Primary | Gasoline |
| Model | Delta 88 |
| 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 |
| Trim | Royale |
| Vehicle Descriptor | 1G3AN69Y*BM |
| Vehicle Type | Passenger Car |
| Sample_VIN | 1G3AN69Y1BM250117 |
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