Free 1986 Chevrolet Caprice VIN Decoder

How to decode a 1986 Chevrolet Caprice VIN

Characters 1-3 of a 1986 Chevrolet Caprice VIN

A World Manufacturer Identifier (WMI) is a unique code used to identify the manufacturer of a vehicle globally. It forms the first three characters of the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN), detailing the vehicle’s manufacturer, its country of assembly, and the type of vehicle it is. For instance, the 1986 Chevrolet Caprice, produced by General Motors LLC in Warren, Michigan, USA, has a WMI of “1G1,” indicating it was manufactured in the United States by General Motors as a passenger car. This standardized code provides essential information for tracking, registration, and recall purposes, offering a concise yet comprehensive snapshot of the vehicle’s origins and category.

List of WMI Codes for a 1986 Chevrolet Caprice

WMI: 1G1

• Model Years Covered: 1982-1996
• Example VIN: 1G1BN47Z6GX131773
• 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 1986 Chevrolet Caprice 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 1986 Chevrolet Caprice:

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 1986 Chevrolet Caprice 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 1986 Chevrolet Caprice VIN — Year Code

11th Character in the 1986 Chevrolet Caprice VIN — Plant Code(s)

Known 1986 Chevrolet Caprice Assembly Factory VIN Code(s)

VIN Characters 12 - 17 of a 1986 Chevrolet Caprice

The final 6 characters in a 1986 Chevrolet Caprice’s 17-digit VIN are its serial number, which will be unique to every vehicle.

What info can a 1986 Chevrolet Caprice VIN reveal?

• Model Year: The VIN can reveal the vehicle’s model year as 1986, providing insights into the age and potential market value of the vehicle.
• Vehicle Specifications: This VIN information specifies a Chevrolet Caprice Classic, showcasing that the VIN can share detailed make and model information along with sub-model or series classification.
• Engine Details: The engine configuration is a V-Shaped arrangement with a displacement of 4.3 liters (4300.0 CC), powered by a gasoline fuel type and featuring a multipoint fuel injection system, possibly indicating valuable insights into the vehicle’s performance capabilities.
• Body Type and Doors: The VIN indicates the vehicle as a Coupe with 2 doors, outlining the body style and size, possibly facilitating a clearer understanding of the vehicle’s design and potential use case.
• Plant Information: The vehicle was manufactured in the Fairfax Assembly plant located in Kansas City, Kansas, United States, possibly highlighting the geographic origins and production specifics of the vehicle.
• Safety Features: With a manual seat belt type listed, users can gain insights into the safety features equipped in the vehicle at the time of manufacturing.
• Weight Class: The VIN specifies the Gross Vehicle Weight Rating as Class 1, which is 6,000 lb or less (2,722 kg or less), providing information on the vehicle’s weight classification which can be important for understanding performance and regulatory compliance.

Sample VIN Decode Report for a 1986 Chevrolet Caprice