Free 1997 Chevrolet Express VIN Decoder

How to decode a 1997 Chevrolet Express VIN

Characters 1-3 of a 1997 Chevrolet Express VIN

A World Manufacturer Identifier (WMI) is a unique three-letter code that identifies a vehicle’s manufacturer, the type of vehicle it is, and, often, its region of production. For instance, in the case of the 1997 Chevrolet Express, the WMI is “1GC,” which signifies that General Motors LLC in Warren, Michigan, United States, is the manufacturer. This specific WMI indicates that the vehicle falls under the “Truck” category. Each vehicle’s VIN (Vehicle Identification Number) starts with its WMI, providing a globally recognized and standardized method for identifying a vehicle’s make and model. This system is essential for vehicle registration, identification, and tracking purposes worldwide.

List of WMI Codes for a 1997 Chevrolet Express

WMI: 1GC

• Model Years Covered: 1997-2024
• Example VIN: 1GCHG39R6V1055703
• Manufacturer Name: General Motors LLC
• Vehicle Type: Truck
• City: Warren
• State or Province: Michigan
• Country: United States

WMI: 1GN

• Model Years Covered: 1997-2017
• Example VIN: 1GNGG25R3V1065995
• Manufacturer Name: General Motors LLC
• Vehicle Type: Multipurpose Passenger Vehicle (MPV)
• City: Warren
• State or Province: Michigan
• Country: United States

Characters 4-8 are the Vehicle Descriptor Section (VDS) of a 1997 Chevrolet Express 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 1997 Chevrolet Express:

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 1997 Chevrolet Express 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 1997 Chevrolet Express VIN — Year Code

11th Character in the 1997 Chevrolet Express VIN — Plant Code(s)

Known 1997 Chevrolet Express Assembly Factory VIN Code(s)

VIN Characters 12 - 17 of a 1997 Chevrolet Express

The final 6 characters in a 1997 Chevrolet Express’s 17-digit VIN are its serial number, which will be unique to every vehicle.

What info can a 1997 Chevrolet Express VIN reveal?

• Model Year: The VIN can reveal the vehicles model year being the year 1997, providing insights into the age and potential market value of the vehicle.
• Vehicle Type and Body Class: The VIN can indicate that the vehicle is a truck and specify the body class, in this case, a Cargo Van, giving detailed insights into the vehicle’s design and purpose.
• Engine Details: The VIN may include engine details such as the configuration (V-Shaped), manufacturer label (WRN), displacement (7.4 liters), and the number of cylinders (8), providing crucial information about the vehicle’s power and performance.
• Fuel Type and Injection System: The VIN can possibly specify the primary fuel type, such as Gasoline, and the type of fuel injection system, in this instance being Multipoint Fuel Injection (MPFI).
• Drive Type and Gross Vehicle Weight Rating: The VIN might reveal the drive type of the vehicle (4x2) and provide the gross vehicle weight rating, falling within Class 2H: 9,001 - 10,000 lb (4,082 - 4,536 kg) for this vehicle. This information could help in understanding the vehicle’s handling and load capacity.
• Manufacturing Information: By decoding a VIN, users can access manufacturing information, including the plant location (Wentzville, Missouri, United States), and the plant company name (GM Truck Corp), offering insights into the vehicle’s origin and production.
• Model Specific Information: The VIN might provide specific model information, including the model name (Express), series (3500 - 1 ton), and trim (Extended Van), offering insights into the vehicle’s size and capacity.

Sample VIN Decode Report for a 1997 Chevrolet Express