Free 1981 Chevrolet Corvette VIN Decoder

How to decode a 1981 Chevrolet Corvette VIN

Characters 1-3 of a 1981 Chevrolet Corvette VIN

The World Manufacturer Identifier (WMI) is a unique code that forms the first three characters of the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN), pinpointing the manufacturer and providing crucial information about the vehicle. For the 1981 Chevrolet Corvette, the WMI is “1G1”, indicating that General Motors LLC in the United States, more specifically in Warren, Michigan, is the manufacturer. This particular identifier not only confirms General Motors as the parent company but also classifies the vehicle as a passenger car. Covering model years from 1981-1982 and then resuming from 1984 onwards up to 2024, this WMI highlights the Corvette’s long-standing presence in the automotive market. Such identification is essential for vehicle tracking, registration, and recall purposes, illustrating the Chevrolet Corvette’s compliance with the standards set for vehicles manufactured in the United States.

List of WMI Codes for a 1981 Chevrolet Corvette

WMI: 1G1

• Model Years Covered: 1981-1982, 1984-2024
• Example VIN: 1G1AY8760BS402526
• 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 Chevrolet Corvette 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 Chevrolet Corvette:

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 Chevrolet Corvette 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 Chevrolet Corvette VIN — Year Code

11th Character in the 1981 Chevrolet Corvette VIN — Plant Code(s)

Known 1981 Chevrolet Corvette Assembly Factory VIN Code(s)

VIN Characters 12 - 17 of a 1981 Chevrolet Corvette

The final 6 characters in a 1981 Chevrolet Corvette’s 17-digit VIN are its serial number, which will be unique to every vehicle.

What info can a 1981 Chevrolet Corvette VIN reveal?

• Model Year: The VIN may provide insights into the model year, possibly indicating the year 1981. This can offer an understanding of the vehicle’s age and potential market value.
• Model and Make: The VIN might unveil the vehicle’s make as Chevrolet, and the specific model as the Corvette, providing insights into the vehicle’s design and market positioning.
• Engine Details: Information about the engine, including a 5.7-liter displacement, V-shaped engine configuration, and that it runs on gasoline, can be derived from the VIN. This can give a glimpse into the vehicle’s power and fuel efficiency.
• Vehicle Type and Body Class: The VIN could delineate the vehicle as a passenger car with a coupe body class and 2 doors, possibly designed for personal use, offering insights into the vehicle’s design and structure.
• Production Details: Details regarding the manufacturing, such as the potential plant city of St. Louis, Missouri in the United States, are possibly encoded within the VIN, offering a trace of the vehicle’s origin.
• Safety Equipment: The type of seat belt, in this case manual, might suggest the safety features that were standard at the time of manufacture, providing insights into the vehicle’s safety provisions.
• Gross Vehicle Weight Rating: The VIN may reveal the vehicle’s weight class, with this particular vehicle possibly falling into Class 1, indicating it’s 6,000 lb or less. This information can be crucial for understanding vehicle registration and usage regulations.

Sample VIN Decode Report for a 1981 Chevrolet Corvette