Free 1985 Buick Riviera VIN Decoder

How to decode a 1985 Buick Riviera VIN

Characters 1-3 of a 1985 Buick Riviera VIN

A World Manufacturer Identifier (WMI) is part of the unique VIN (Vehicle Identification Number) assigned to every vehicle to indicate its manufacturer, the type of vehicle, and the place where it was made. For instance, the WMI for a 1985 Buick Riviera begins with “1G4”, revealing that it is a passenger car made by General Motors LLC in the United States. Specifically, the vehicle was manufactured in Warren, Michigan, indicating General Motors LLC’s involvement not only in design but also in the regional production of the car. This three-letter code is vital for identifying the car’s original manufacturer and is standardized globally to ensure uniqueness and traceability. Through the WMI, vehicles like the Buick Riviera can be easily traced back to their origins, providing essential information for registration, service, and history reports.

List of WMI Codes for a 1985 Buick Riviera

WMI: 1G4

• Model Years Covered: 1981-1985, 1987, 1989-1993, 1995-1999
• Example VIN: 1G4EZ57Y0FE444720
• 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 1985 Buick Riviera 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 1985 Buick Riviera:

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 1985 Buick Riviera 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 1985 Buick Riviera VIN — Year Code

11th Character in the 1985 Buick Riviera VIN — Plant Code(s)

Known 1985 Buick Riviera Assembly Factory VIN Code(s)

VIN Characters 12 - 17 of a 1985 Buick Riviera

The final 6 characters in a 1985 Buick Riviera’s 17-digit VIN are its serial number, which will be unique to every vehicle.

What info can a 1985 Buick Riviera VIN reveal?

• Model Year: The VIN can reveal the vehicles model year being the year 1985, providing insights into the age and potential market value of the vehicle.
• Vehicle Type and Body Class: The VIN designates the vehicle as a Passenger Car with a Coupe body style, providing insights into both the vehicle’s general category and its specific body shape.
• Engine Specifications: Details about the engine include a V-Shaped configuration with 6 cylinders and a displacement of 3.8 liters (or 3800 cc/231.89 ci), highlighting its powertrain structure.
• Fuel System and Type: Sequenced Fuel Injection (SFI) for fuel delivery and Gasoline as the primary fuel type are specified, offering clues about efficiency and performance.
• Manufacturing Information: The VIN reveals the vehicle was assembled in Linden, New Jersey, United States, at the Linden Assembly plant, pinpointing the exact location of manufacture.
• Model and Trim: It specifies the make as Riviera with a “T Type” trim level, providing detailed model information which can denote specific features or the overall level of luxury.
• Safety Features: The type of seat belt is mentioned as Manual, which could give an idea of the safety features available or standard for this model year and type.

Sample VIN Decode Report for a 1985 Buick Riviera

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