How to decode an American Motors VIN
Characters 1-3 of an American Motors VIN
A World Manufacturer Identifier (WMI) is the first three characters of a Vehicle Identification Number (VIN), which uniquely identifies the manufacturer of the vehicle globally. The WMI reveals key information about the vehicle, including the manufacturer’s name, the vehicle type, and the country of manufacture. For American Motors Corporation, the WMIs 1AM and 1AC designate vehicles made in the United States, specifically in Michigan, with 1AM used for model years 1981-1982 and 1AC for model year 1983. These identifiers were assigned to multipurpose passenger vehicles, showcasing a slice of American automotive history. Through the WMI, each vehicle’s origin, by American Motors Corp in this case, is unmistakably marked, serving as a crucial part of its identity and lineage.
List of WMI Codes for an American Motors
| WMI | Manufacturer Name | Vehicle Type | City | State or Province | Country | Model Years Covered | Example VIN |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1AM | American Motors Corp | Multipurpose Passenger Vehicle (MPV) | Michigan | United States | 1981-1982 | 1AMCA085XBK131982 | |
| 1AC | American Motors Corp | Multipurpose Passenger Vehicle (MPV) | Auburn Hills | Michigan | United States | 1983 | 1ACCK3556DK128894 |
Characters 4-8 are the Vehicle Descriptor Section (VDS) of an American Motors 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 an American Motors:
| Known VDS for an American Motors | ||
|---|---|---|
| CA085 | CK355 | CA430 |
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 an American Motors 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 American Motors VIN — Year Code
| Year Code | Year |
|---|---|
| D | 1983 |
| C | 1982 |
| B | 1981 |
11th Character in the American Motors VIN — Plant Code(s)
Known American Motors Assembly Factory VIN Code(s)
| Plant Code | Plant City | Plant State | Plant Country | Plant Company Name | Example VIN |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| K | Kenosha | Wisconsin | United States | 1AMCA085XBK131982 |
VIN Characters 12 - 17 of an American Motors
The final 6 characters in an American Motors’s 17-digit VIN are its serial number, which will be unique to every vehicle.
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How to find an American Motors’s VIN?
Locating the VIN number on your American Motors is key for identification. Here’s how to find it:
- Look at the vehicle’s dashboard on the driver’s side, near the windshield. The VIN for your American Motors can often be found displayed on a metal plate visible from outside the vehicle.
- Check the door frame or door post on the driver’s side, where the door latches when closed. The VIN for American Motors vehicles is frequently located on a sticker or metal plate in this area.
- Examine the engine block. The VIN on American Motors vehicles is sometimes stamped directly onto the engine itself, providing another point of verification.
- Inspect the vehicle’s registration documents, title, or insurance papers. These documents for your American Motors should list the VIN along with other vital information about the vehicle.
- Look under the windshield wiper. On some American Motors models, the VIN might be located under the windshield wiper attachment point on the driver’s side.
What info can an American Motors VIN reveal?
- Model Year: The VIN can reveal the vehicle’s model year, such as 1983, providing insights into the age and potential historical value of the vehicle.
- Body Class and Size: The VIN indicates the vehicle as a Sedan/Saloon, offering insights into its body type and size, ideal for those looking for specific vehicle profiles.
- Engine Specifications: Detailed engine information, such as a displacement of 4.227862512 liters and the engine having 6 cylinders, can be deduced, giving a clear picture of the vehicle’s power and performance capabilities.
- Drive Type: The vehicle is equipped with 4WD, also known as 4-Wheel Drive or 4x4, indicating enhanced off-road and bad weather driving capabilities.
- Transmission Style: Knowing whether a vehicle comes with an Automatic transmission, as highlighted here, can inform potential users about the driving experience.
- Manufacturing Details: The plant’s location in Kenosha, Wisconsin, United States, provides clues to the vehicle’s production origin, potentially affecting parts availability and historical interest.
- Safety Features: The type of seat belt (Manual) specified can shed light on the vehicle’s safety features, which might be a consideration for those with specific safety requirements.
Decode a American Motors VIN
Don’t have your American Motors’s VIN handy? Try our license plate lookup instead!
Sample VIN Decode Report for an American Motors
| Vehicle Spec | Value |
|---|---|
| Body Class | Sedan/Saloon |
| Displacement (CC) | 4227.862512 |
| Displacement (CI) | 258 |
| Displacement (L) | 4.227862512 |
| Doors | 4 |
| Drive Type | 4WD/4-Wheel Drive/4x4 |
| Engine Number of Cylinders | 6 |
| Model | Eagle |
| Model Year | 1983 |
| Other Engine Info | 2V |
| Plant City | Kenosha |
| Plant Company Name | |
| Plant Country | United States |
| Plant State | Wisconsin |
| Seat Belt Type | Manual |
| Transmission Style | Automatic |
| Vehicle Descriptor | 1ACCK355*DK |
| Vehicle Type | Multipurpose Passenger Vehicle |
| Sample_VIN | 1ACCK3556DK128894 |
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