Decoding your Pre-1981 GM VIN

A VIN number is a 17 character alpha/numeric serial number unique to each vehicle, by manufacturer, make, model and year. Each character in the VIN number can be decoded to determine where the car was built, what year, which automotive features are included and more. Together, all the VIN numbers create a history about your GMC General Motors.

Decoding a VIN tag can seem like quite a daunting task. Even amongst modern automobiles, the endless strings of alpha-numeric codes form a never-ending web of information. Finding manufacture recorded data on a pre-1981 model can be downright intimidating. Luckily, with a couple of simple breakdowns and a reference guide, you too can unearth the hidden history behind your beloved classic. GM VINs followed consistent formulas before the industry VIN shift in 1981.

Vehicles manufactured in 1960-1965:

First digit: Year of production (1960-1964). 0=1960, 1=1961, and so on.

Second and third digits: The second and third digits will be comprised of numbers 1-18. Each one represents a Chevy series.

01 = Chevy II 100 4

02 = Chevy II 100 6

03 = Chevy II 300 4 Cyl.

04 = Chevy II 300, Nova 400 6 Cyl.

05 = Corvair 500

07 = Corvair 700

09 = Corvair Monza

08 = Corvette

11 = Biscayne L6

12 = Biscayne V8

13 = Biscayne Fleetmaster L6 (1960-1961) or Impala SS L6 (1964)

14 = Biscayne Fleetmaster V8 (1960-1961) or Impala SS V8 (1964)

15 = Bel Air L6

16 = Bel Air V8

17 = Impala L6

18 = Impala V8

Fourth and fifth digits: The fourth and fifth digits will be one of twelve specific numbers (listed below). Each one of the numbers represents a body style that corresponds to the previous VIN codes for year and series.

11 = 2 door sedan

15 = 2 door station wagon, 2 seats

19 = 4 door sedan

21 = 2 door utility sedan

35 = 4 door station wagon, 2 seats – 6 passenger

37 = 2 door sport coupe (bubble top)

39 = 4 door sport sedan

45 = 4 door station wagon, 3 seats

47 = 2 door sport coupe

67 = 2 door convertible

69 = 4 door sedan

80 = 2 door sedan pickup (El Camino)

Sixth digit: The sixth digits show at which GM plant the vehicles were manufactured.

A = Atlanta, GA

B = Baltimore, MD

C = Doraville, GA

F = Flint, MI

G = Framingham, MA

J = Janesville, WI

K = Kansas City, MO

LA = Lansing, MI

L = Los Angeles, CA

N = Norwood, OH

O = Oakland, CA

R = Arlington, TX

U = Southgate, CA

S = Southgate, CA

T = Tarrytown, NY

W = Willowrun, MI

Y = Wilmington, DE

*Cleveland, OH was only represented using the COWL TAG code of EP or EUC, 1959-1964

Seventh through twelfth digits: The last six digits of the VIN represent the specific order of the given model, starting at 100001.

Example 1960-1964 VIN: 21811L100087

Using the above decoding reference, this sample VIN would belong to the 87th 2-door sedan, V8 Impala, built in Los Angeles, CA in 1962.

Vehicles manufactured in 1966-1968:

First digit: Division of GM

1 = Chevrolet

Second, third, fourth, and fifth digits: The second – fifth digits display the Chevrolet series.

0000 = Corvair

1000 = Chevy II, Nova

3000 = Chevelle, Malibu

5000 = Biscayne, Bel Air

6000 = Impala

9000 = Corvette

Sixth Digit: The sixth digit shows the production year.

6 = 1966

7 = 1967

8 = 1968

Seventh Digit: The seventh digit shows at which GM plant the vehicles were manufactured.

1 = Oshawa, Ont., Canada

2 = St. Therese, Que., Canada

A = Atlanta, GA

B = Baltimore, MD

C = Southgate, CA

D = Doraville, GA

F = Flint, MI

G = Framingham, MA

J = Janesville, WI

K = Kansas, MO

L = Los Angeles, CA

N = Norwood, OH

P = Pontiac,MI

R = Arlington, TX

S = Louis, MO

T = Tarrytown, NY

U = Lordstown, OH

W = Willow Run, MI

Y = Wilmington, DE

Z = Fremont, CA

Eighth through thirteenth digits: The last six digits of the VIN represent the specific order of the given model, starting at 100001.

Example 1966-1967 VIN: 100007K105642

Using the above decoding reference, this sample VIN would belong to the 5,642nd Corvair, built in Kansas City, MO in 1967.

Vehicles manufactured in 1969:

First digit: Division of GM

1 = Chevrolet

Second, third, fourth, and fifth digits: The second – fifth digits displays the Chevrolet series.

0000 = Corvair

1000 = Nova

2000 = Camaro

3000 = Chevelle

5000 = Biscayne, Bel Air

6000 = Impala, Caprice

9000 = Corvette

Sixth Digit: The sixth digit shows the production year.

9 = 1969

Seventh Digit: The seventh digit shows at which GM plant the vehicles was manufactured.

2 = St. Therese, Que., Canada

A = Atlanta, GA

B = Baltimore, MD

C = Southgate, CA

D = Doraville, GA

F = Flint, MI

G = Framingham, MA

J = Janesville, WI

K = Kansas, MO

L = Los Angeles, CA

N = Norwood, OH

R = Arlington, TX

S = Louis, MO

T = Tarrytown, NY

U = Lordstown, OH

W = Willow Run, MI

Y = Wilmington, DE

Z = Fremont, CA

Eighth through thirteenth digits: The last six digits of the VIN represent the specific order of the given model.

100001 = All others

300001 = Nova, Chevelle

700001 = Corvair, Corvette

Example 1969 VIN: 110009R301001

Using the above decoding reference, this sample VIN would belong to the very first Chevy Nova built in Arlington, TX in 1969

Vehicles manufactured in 1970-1971:

First digit: Division of GM

1 = Chevrolet

Second Digit: The second -digit displays the Chevrolet series.

1 = Nova

2 = Camaro

3 = Chevelle, Monte Carlo

4 = Vega

5 = Biscayne, Bel Air

6 = Impala, Caprice

9 Corvette

Third Digit: The third digit represents what size motor the car was equipped with

Even number = V8

Odd number = 4 Cylinder or 6 cylinder

Fourth and fifth Digits: The fourth and fifth digits represent the series body style.

1970

36 = 4 dr. Sta. Wagon (2 Seat Dual Acting Tail Gate)

37 = 2 dr. Notch Back Hardtop Coupe

39 = 4 dr. Notch Back Hardtop Sedan 4 window

46 = 4 dr. Sta. Wagon 3 Seat Dual Acting Tail Gate

47 = 2 dr. Notch Back Hardtop Coupe

57 = 2 dr. Notch Back Hardtop Coupe

67 = Convertible Coupe

69 = 4 dr. Notch Back Pillar Sedan 4 window

87 = 2 dr. Plain Back Hardtop Coupe

1971

11 = 2 dr. Notch Back Sedan

15 = 2 dr. Sta. Wagon 2 Seat

27 = 2 dr. Notch Back Pillar Coupe

36 = 4 dr. Sta. Wagon 2 Seat Dual Acting Tail Gate

37 = 2 dr. Notch Back Hardtop Coupe

39 = 4 dr. Notch Back Hardtop Sedan 4 window

46 = 4 dr. Sta. Wagon 3 Seat Dual Acting Tail Gate

57 = 2 dr. Notch Back Hardtop Coupe

67 = Convertible Coupe

69 = 4 dr. Notch Back Pillar Sedan 4 window

77 = 2 dr. Plain Back Pillar Coupe

80 = 2 dr. Pick-Up delivery

87 = 2 dr. Plain Back Hardtop Coupe

Sixth Digit: The sixth digit represents the year the model was built.

0 = 1970

1 = 1971

Seventh Digit: The seventh digits displays at which manufacture facility the model was built:

A = Atlanta, GA

B = Baltimore, MD

C = Southgate, CA

D = Doraville, GA

F = Flint, MI

G = Framingham, MA

I = Oshawa, Canada

J = Janesville, WI

K = Kansas City, MO

L = Los Angeles, CA

N = Norwood, OH

R = Arlington, TX

S = Louis, MO

T = Tarrytown, NY

U = Lordstown, OH

W = Willow Run, MI

Y = Wilmington, DE

Z = Fremont, CA

Eighth – Thirteenth digits: The last six digits display the production number, starting with 100001

Vehicles manufactured in 1972-1980:

First digit: Division of GM

1 = Chevrolet

Second Digit: The second -digit displays the Chevrolet series. *Certain models are reprinted by multiple letters, depending upon year)

B = Nomad

C = Chevelle, El Camino, Greenbrier

D = Malibu, Custom El Camino, Concours

E = Chevelle Laguna

G = Chevelle Malibu Estate

H = Monte Carlo, Concours Estate, Laguna Estate

K = Biscayne, Brookwood, Bel Air

L = Bel Air, Townsman, Imapala

M = Impala, Kingswood, Monza Coupe

N = Caprice, Kingswood Estate

Q = Camaro

R = Monza 2+2

S = Camaro LT

V = Vega

X = Nova

Y = Nova Custom

Z = Corvette

Third Digit and fourth digits: The third and fourth digits determine the body style series.

11 = Panel Express Vega

15 = Kammback Wagon Vega

17 = Hatchback Coupe Nova

23 = 4 dr. Limo W/Aux. Seat

27 = 2 dr. Notch Back Pillar Coupe

33 = 4 dr. Limo W/Aux. Seat, center Partition Window

35 = 4 dr. Sta. Wagon 2 Seat

36 = 4 dr. Sta. Wagon 2 Seat Dual Acting Tail Gate

37 = 2 dr. Notch Back Hardtop Coupe

39 = 4 dr. Notch Back Hardtop Sedan 4 window

45 = 4 dr. Sta. Wagon 3 Seat

46 = 4 dr. Sta. Wagon 3 Seat Dual Acting Tail Gate

47 = 2 dr. Notch Back Hardtop Coupe

49 = 4 dr. Notch Back Hardtop Sedan 4 window

56 = 4 dr. Sta. Wagon 2 Seat Dual Acting Tail Gate

57 = 2 dr. Notch Back Hardtop Coupe

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66 = 4 dr. Sta. Wagon 3 Seat Dual Acting Tail Gate

67 = Convertible Coupe

69 = 4 dr. Notch Back Pillar Sedan 4 window

77 = 2 dr. Plain Back Pillar Coupe

80 = 2 dr. Pick-Up delivery

87 = 2 dr. Plain Back Hardtop Coupe

35/AQ4 = 3-Seat Wagon Chevelle

57/Z03 = Landau CoupeMonte Carlo

57/Z76 = S CoupeMonte Carlo

Fifth Digit: The fifth digit represent the motor the car was equipped with.

1972

B = 4-140 1 & 2 Bar. Carb.

D = 6-250 1 Bar. Carb.

F = 8-307 2 Bar. Carb.

H = 8-350 2 Bar. Carb.

J = 8-350 4 Bar. Carb., RPO L48

K = 8-350 4 Bar. Carb. Base Corvette

39 = 8-350 4 Bar. Carb. RPO Z-28

R = 8-400 2 Bar. Carb., RPO LF6

S = 8-402 4 Bar. Carb., RPO LS3, Single Exhaust

U = 8-402 4 Bar. Carb., RPO LS3, Dual Exhaust

V = 8-454 4 Bar. Carb., RPO LS5, Single Exhaust

W = 8-454 4 Bar. Carb., RPO LS5, Dual Exhaust

1973-80

A = 4-140 1 Bar. Carb.

B = 4-140 2 Bar. Carb.

D = 6-250 1 Bar. Carb.

F = 8-307 2 Bar. Carb.

H = 8-350 2 Bar. Carb.

K = 8-350 4 Bar. Carb.

R = 8-400 2 Bar. Carb

T = 8-350 4 Bar. Carb., Z-28, L-82

X = 8-454 4 Bar. Carb., L54

Y = 8-454 4 Bar. Carb., L54

Sixth Digit: The sixth digit represents the year the model was built.

2 = 1972

3 = 1973

4 = 1974

5 = 1975

6 = 1976

7 = 1977

8 = 1978

9 = 1979

A = 1980

Seventh Digit: The seventh digits displays at which manufacture facility the model was built:

1 = Oshawa, ON Canada

1 = Wentzville Canada

2 = St. Therese, QC. CANADA

3 = St. Eustache

4 = Scarborough

5 = London

5 = Bowling Green,OH

8 = Shreveport

8 = Fujisawa (Japan) Luv

9 = Oshawa, CANADA

A = Lakewood, GA.

B = Baltimore, MD.

C = Lansing

D = Doraville

E = Linden

F = Flint, MI.

G = Framingham, MA

J = Janesville, WI

K = Leeds, MI

K = Kosai

L = Van Nuys, CA

M = Lansing

N = Norwood, OH

Q = Detriot, MI

R = Arlington,TX

S = St. Louis, MO

S = Ramos Arizpe

T = Tarrytown, NY

U = Hamtramck

W=Willow Run,MI

Z= Fremont CA.

Eighth – Thirteenth/Fourteenth digits: The last six digits display the production number, starting with 100001 or 5000000

Example 1973 VIN: 1V11B2Q103241

Using the above decoding reference, this sample VIN would belong to the 3,241st Vega Panel Express, equipped with a two-barrel four-cylinder motor, built-in 1973 in Detroit, MI.

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