Free 1987 Chevrolet Nova VIN Decoder

How to decode a 1987 Chevrolet Nova VIN

Characters 1-3 of a 1987 Chevrolet Nova VIN

A World Manufacturer Identifier (WMI) is a unique code used to identify the manufacturer of a vehicle, revealing the first few characters of a vehicle’s VIN (Vehicle Identification Number). This code not only identifies the maker but also provides information about the vehicle type and its production location. For instance, Chevrolet Novas from 1987 have a WMI of 1Y1, indicating they were produced by New United Motor Manufacturing, Inc., a company located in Fremont, California, United States. These vehicles are categorized as passenger cars, aligning with what one would expect from Chevrolet’s Nova line during that era. The WMI is pivotal in vehicle identification, offering an initial layer of detail essential for automotive regulation, tracking, and recall purposes.

List of WMI Codes for a 1987 Chevrolet Nova

WMI: 1Y1

• Model Years Covered: 1986-1988
• Example VIN: 1Y1SK5143HZ058365
• Manufacturer Name: New United Motor Manufacturing, Inc.
• Vehicle Type: Passenger Car
• City: Fremont
• State or Province: California
• Country: United States

Characters 4-8 are the Vehicle Descriptor Section (VDS) of a 1987 Chevrolet Nova 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 1987 Chevrolet Nova:

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 1987 Chevrolet Nova 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 1987 Chevrolet Nova VIN — Year Code

11th Character in the 1987 Chevrolet Nova VIN — Plant Code(s)

Known 1987 Chevrolet Nova Assembly Factory VIN Code(s)

VIN Characters 12 - 17 of a 1987 Chevrolet Nova

The final 6 characters in a 1987 Chevrolet Nova’s 17-digit VIN are its serial number, which will be unique to every vehicle.

Check your Chevrolet Nova’s VIN below:

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What info can a 1987 Chevrolet Nova VIN reveal?

• Model Year: The VIN can reveal the vehicles model year being the year 1987, providing insights into the age and potential market value of the vehicle.
• Body Class: The VIN uncovers the body class of the vehicle, for example, Sedan/Saloon, providing a clear idea of the vehicle’s design and utility.
• Engine Specifications: From the VIN, one might deduce vital engine details such as an In-Line configuration, displacement in liters (1.60 L), cubic inches (97.637990551571 CI), or cubic centimeters (1600.00 CC), and the number of cylinders (4), which are crucial for understanding performance and fuel efficiency.
• Manufacturing Details: The VIN can reveal manufacturing specifics like the plant city (Fremont), plant state (California), plant country (United States), and even the name of the manufacturing company (New United Motor Manufacturing, Inc.), helping trace the vehicle’s origin.
• Safety Features: Safety equipment such as the type of seat belts (Manual) equipped in the vehicle could also be inferred, providing insights into the safety standards at the time of manufacture.
• Vehicle Type: Through the VIN, the type of vehicle, in this case, “Passenger Car”, can be identified, aiding in understanding the vehicle’s primary use and classification.
• Unique Vehicle Identifier: Each VIN contains a unique descriptor (e.g., 1Y1SK514*HZ) and a sample VIN number (1Y1SK5143HZ058365) that can be used to unlock a wealth of specific information about that individual vehicle, from its specifications to its history.

Sample VIN Decode Report for a 1987 Chevrolet Nova