Free 1988 Pontiac Sunbird VIN Decoder

How to decode a 1988 Pontiac Sunbird VIN

Characters 1-3 of a 1988 Pontiac Sunbird VIN

A World Manufacturer Identifier (WMI) is a unique code that forms the first three characters of a Vehicle Identification Number (VIN), which identifies the manufacturer, country of origin, and the type of vehicle. For example, in the case of the 1988 Pontiac Sunbird, the WMI “1G2” signifies that it was made by General Motors LLC in the United States, specifically in Warren, Michigan, and it’s classified as a passenger car. This encoding ensures that each vehicle has a globally recognized identifier, facilitating tracking, registration, and recall procedures. The WMI is an essential part of automotive identification, offering a standardized method to recognize the vehicle’s manufacturer and origin at a glance.

List of WMI Codes for a 1988 Pontiac Sunbird

WMI: 1G2

• Model Years Covered: 1986-1995
• Example VIN: 1G2JU31M0J7577944
• 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 Pontiac Sunbird 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 Pontiac Sunbird:

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 Pontiac Sunbird 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 Pontiac Sunbird VIN — Year Code

11th Character in the 1988 Pontiac Sunbird VIN — Plant Code(s)

Known 1988 Pontiac Sunbird Assembly Factory VIN Code(s)

VIN Characters 12 - 17 of a 1988 Pontiac Sunbird

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

What info can a 1988 Pontiac Sunbird VIN reveal?

• Model Year: The VIN can reveal the vehicle’s model year, indicating that the vehicle is from the year 1988, providing insights into the age and potential market value of the vehicle.
• Body Class and Doors: A VIN can specify the body class. For the 1988 Sunbird GT, this may indicate a Convertible/Cabriolet with 2 doors, offering detailed insights into the vehicle’s design and structure.
• Engine Details: The VIN can provide engine details such as displacement, configuration, and fuel type. In this case, it indicates an engine with 2,000 CC (122.047 CI) displacement, an In-Line configuration, and powered by Gasoline. The engine utilizes Multipoint Fuel Injection (MPFI) for fuel delivery, possibly optimizing performance and fuel efficiency.
• Make: The VIN can also reveal the vehicle’s make, providing information about the manufacturer of the vehicle.
• Manufacturing Information: The VIN provides insights into the vehicle’s manufacturing, including the assembly plant location, in this case being the Lordstown Assembly plant in Lordstown, Ohio, United States, offering clues about the vehicle’s origin and the quality standards of the specific assembly location.
• Safety and Features: The VIN may indicate the presence of specific safety features such as manual seat belts, offering insights into the vehicle’s safety features available at the time of manufacturing.
• Engine Manufacturer and Number of Cylinders: Engine details such as the manufacturer and number of cylinders can be indicated by the VIN. For example, the engine being manufactured by CPC with a 4-cylinder configuration, which could appeal to those looking for a balance between power and fuel economy in a classic vehicle.
• Trim Level: The VIN may also specify the trim level of the vehicle, providing potential buyers with information on the vehicle’s specific features and characteristics.

Sample VIN Decode Report for a 1988 Pontiac Sunbird