Free 1987 Subaru GL VIN Decoder

How to decode a 1987 Subaru GL VIN

Characters 1-3 of a 1987 Subaru GL VIN

A World Manufacturer Identifier (WMI) is a unique code assigned to every vehicle manufacturer, consisting of the first three characters of the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN). For the 1987 Subaru GL, the WMI indicates that it is a product of Subaru Corporation, manufactured in Shibuya-Ku, Tokyo, Japan. The WMI “JF1” specifies that it is classified as a passenger car, while “JF2” would indicate a multipurpose passenger vehicle (MPV) for other models. These identifiers not only pinpoint the manufacturing location but also provide insights into the vehicle type and manufacturing company. For anyone looking to understand more about their vehicle, or particularly a 1987 Subaru GL, the WMI offers a concise but detailed starting point.

List of WMI Codes for a 1987 Subaru GL

WMI: JF1

• Model Years Covered: 1984-1988
• Example VIN: JF1AN43B3HC412083
• Manufacturer Name: Subaru Corporation
• Vehicle Type: Passenger Car
• City: Shibuya-Ku
• State or Province: Tokyo
• Country: Japan

WMI: JF2

• Model Years Covered: 1983-1988
• Example VIN: JF2AC53B5HF239771
• Manufacturer Name: Subaru Corporation
• Vehicle Type: Multipurpose Passenger Vehicle (MPV)
• City: Shibuya-Ku
• State or Province: Tokyo
• Country: Japan

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

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 Subaru GL 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 Subaru GL VIN — Year Code

11th Character in the 1987 Subaru GL VIN — Plant Code(s)

Known 1987 Subaru GL Assembly Factory VIN Code(s)

VIN Characters 12 - 17 of a 1987 Subaru GL

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

What info can a 1987 Subaru GL VIN reveal?

• Model Year: The VIN can reveal the vehicle’s model year to be 1987, offering insights into the age and potential market value of the vehicle.
• Body Class and Trim: The vehicle is classified as a Wagon with a Turbo trim. This may indicate a larger-sized vehicle with enhanced performance capabilities.
• Engine Specifications: The VIN specifies an engine with 1,800 CC (1.8 Liters) displacement, 109.842739370 CI (Cubic Inches), and 4 cylinders, providing information about the engine size and power.
• Fuel Type: It may use Gasoline as the primary fuel type, potentially affecting the vehicle’s fuel consumption and environmental impact.
• Drive Type: Encoded within the VIN is a 4WD/4-Wheel Drive/4x4 drive type, which suggests the vehicle’s capability to handle various terrains and weather conditions.
• Transmission Details: The VIN specifies a Manual/Standard transmission with 5 speeds, giving insights into the vehicle’s performance and driver’s control over the car.
• Manufacturing Information: The plant city and country are recorded as Gunma, Japan, providing details about the vehicle’s origin and potentially its build quality.

Sample VIN Decode Report for a 1987 Subaru GL