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
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.
