Free 1988 Chevrolet Caprice VIN Decoder

How to decode a 1988 Chevrolet Caprice VIN

Characters 1-3 of a 1988 Chevrolet Caprice VIN

A World Manufacturer Identifier (WMI) is a unique code used to identify the manufacturer of any given vehicle. The first three characters of the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) make up the WMI, indicating where the vehicle was built and by whom. For the 1988 Chevrolet Caprice, the WMI “1G1” signifies that it was manufactured by General Motors LLC in the United States, more precisely in Warren, Michigan. This particular code is pivotal in the automotive industry for tracking, registration, and identification purposes. It reveals not just the maker but also the vehicle type, in this case, indicating a passenger car.

List of WMI Codes for a 1988 Chevrolet Caprice

WMI: 1G1

• Model Years Covered: 1982-1996
• Example VIN: 1G1BN81Y0JA129261
• 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 1988 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 1988 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 1988 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 1988 Chevrolet Caprice VIN — Year Code

11th Character in the 1988 Chevrolet Caprice VIN — Plant Code(s)

Known 1988 Chevrolet Caprice Assembly Factory VIN Code(s)

VIN Characters 12 - 17 of a 1988 Chevrolet Caprice

The final 6 characters in a 1988 Chevrolet Caprice’s 17-digit VIN are its serial number, which will be unique to every vehicle.

What info can a 1988 Chevrolet Caprice VIN reveal?

• Model Year: The VIN can reveal the vehicle’s model year, such as 1988 for a Caprice, providing insights into the age and potential market value of the vehicle.
• Vehicle Type and Body Class: By decoding a VIN, one might learn the vehicle is classified as a Passenger Car with a specific body class, like Sedan/Saloon, offering detailed insights into the vehicle’s design and structure.
• Engine Specifications: The VIN may detail the engine type, including its configuration (V-Shaped), displacement (4.3L or 4300.0CC), and specific features like Multipoint Fuel Injection (MPFI), providing valuable information about the vehicle’s performance and capabilities.
• Fuel Type: It can also reveal the primary fuel type the vehicle is designed to use, for instance, gasoline, giving potential insights into the vehicle’s fuel efficiency and environmental impact.
• Manufacturing Details: Decoding a VIN can provide insights into where the vehicle was manufactured, including specifics like the plant city (Arlington), the state (Texas), and the country (United States), offering information about the vehicle’s origin and production process.
• Safety Features: Basic safety features, such as the type of seat belt (Manual), can be inferred from the VIN, offering potential insights into the vehicle’s safety features and standards.
• Vehicle Identification: The VIN can serve as a unique identifier, offering insights into the vehicle’s specifications, such as the engine manufacturer (CPC) and the gross vehicle weight rating, which in this case falls under Class 1 (6,000 lb or less), providing detailed information about the vehicle’s characteristics and capabilities.

Sample VIN Decode Report for a 1988 Chevrolet Caprice