How to decode a 1981 Pontiac Grand Prix VIN
Characters 1-3 of a 1981 Pontiac Grand Prix VIN
World Manufacturer Identifier (WMI) codes are unique three-letter or digit sequences that identify the manufacturer of a vehicle and provide specific information about it. For the 1981 Pontiac Grand Prix, the WMI is “2G2,” indicating that General Motors LLC in Warren, Michigan, United States, is the manufacturer. This code is critical in the automotive industry for tracking, regulation, and identification purposes. It tells us the vehicle type as a passenger car and aligns with certain model years, enabling precise identification and differentiation from other vehicles. WMIs are a foundational component of a vehicle’s identification number (VIN), serving as the initial segment that specifies the manufacturing details.
List of WMI Codes for a 1981 Pontiac Grand Prix
WMI: 2G2
- Model Years Covered: 1981, 1983-1987, 2004-2008
- Example VIN: 2G2AJ37A1B2526158
- 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 Pontiac Grand Prix 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 Pontiac Grand Prix:
| Known VDS for a 1981 Pontiac Grand Prix |
|---|
| AJ37A |
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 Pontiac Grand Prix 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 Pontiac Grand Prix VIN — Year Code
| Year Code | Year |
|---|---|
| B | 1981 |
11th Character in the 1981 Pontiac Grand Prix VIN — Plant Code(s)
Known 1981 Pontiac Grand Prix Assembly Factory VIN Code(s)
| Plant Code | Plant City | Plant State | Plant Country | Plant Company Name | Example VIN |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2 | Sainte-Therese | Quebec | Canada | Sainte-Therese Assembly | 2G2AJ37A1B2526158 |
VIN Characters 12 - 17 of a 1981 Pontiac Grand Prix
The final 6 characters in a 1981 Pontiac Grand Prix’s 17-digit VIN are its serial number, which will be unique to every vehicle.
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How to find a 1981 Pontiac Grand Prix’s VIN?
Locating the VIN number on your 1981 Pontiac Grand Prix is key for identification. Here’s how to find it:
- Look at the dashboard on the driver’s side of your Pontiac Grand Prix. The VIN can typically be seen through the windshield on a small section of the dashboard.
- Examine the driver’s side door jamb on your 1981 Pontiac Grand Prix. The VIN might be located on a label or sticker where the door latches when it is closed.
- Check the engine block of your Pontiac Grand Prix, as the VIN is sometimes stamped onto the engine itself.
- Inspect the frame near the windshield washer container under the hood, as some Pontiac Grand Prix models have the VIN located there.
- Look at the rear wheel well above the tire. In some vehicles, including classic models like your Pontiac Grand Prix, the VIN might be found stamped in the metal or on a sticker in that area.
- Review your Pontiac Grand Prix’s vehicle title, registration, or insurance documents, as the VIN will be listed on all official vehicle paperwork.
What info can a 1981 Pontiac Grand Prix VIN reveal?
- Model Year: The VIN can reveal the vehicle’s model year, pinpointing it to 1981, which helps identify the age and generation of the vehicle.
- Manufacturing Details: The assembly location, including the plant city of Sainte-Therese in Quebec, Canada, and the name of the company, Sainte-Therese Assembly, are obtainable, enabling insights into the vehicle’s production origin.
- Vehicle Specifications: Garner insights into the Grand Prix model, featuring a V-Shaped 6-cylinder engine with a displacement of 3.8 liters, showcasing the vehicle’s powertrain specifics.
- Body Class and Size: The VIN elucidates that the vehicle has a coupe body style, accompanied by 2 doors, providing a clear visualization of the car’s design and size.
- Fuel Type: It is specified that the primary fuel type for this vehicle is gasoline, which is crucial for understanding the vehicle’s energy requirements and environmental footprint.
- Safety Features: Information such as the seat belt type being manual can be derived, offering clues into the safety mechanisms installed in the vehicle at the time of manufacture.
- Trim Level: The trim level, denoted as “J,” can be discerned, indicating specific features, package options, and styling details unique to this variation of the model.
Don’t have your 1981 Pontiac Grand Prix’s VIN handy? Try our license plate lookup instead!
Sample VIN Decode Report for a 1981 Pontiac Grand Prix
| Vehicle Spec | Value |
|---|---|
| Body Class | Coupe |
| Displacement (CC) | 3785.411784 |
| Displacement (CI) | 231 |
| Displacement (L) | 3.8 |
| Doors | 2 |
| Engine Configuration | V-Shaped |
| Engine Number of Cylinders | 6 |
| Fuel Type - Primary | Gasoline |
| Model | Grand Prix |
| Model Year | 1981 |
| Plant City | Sainte-Therese |
| Plant Company Name | Sainte-therese assembly |
| Plant Country | Canada |
| Plant State | Quebec |
| Seat Belt Type | Manual |
| Trim | J |
| Vehicle Descriptor | 2G2AJ37A*B2 |
| Vehicle Type | Passenger Car |
| Sample_VIN | 2G2AJ37A1B2526158 |
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