VIN CODE ID EXPLANATION 1986 through 1998

Numbers preceding the explanations in the legend below refer
to the sequence of characters as listed on VIN identification label.
See VIN example below.

(VIN) 1_ G_ 4_ H_ L_ 5_ 1_ 3_ 9_ J_ 4_ 8_ 0_ 0_ 0_ 0_ 1

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 (17 digits in most VIN'*)

1 - Nation Of Origin
1 * United States
2 * Canada

2 - Manufacturer
G * General Motors

3 - Division
2 * Pontiac
3 * Oldsmobile
4 * Buick

4 - Series
H * Bonneville, Delta 88 & LeSabre

5 - Model
H * LeSabre
L * LeSabre "T" Type
N * Delta 88 Royale
P * LeSabre Custom
R * LeSabre Limited
W * Bonneville SSE
X * Bonneville (1987)
X * Bonneville LE
X * Bonneville SE (1995-98)
Y * Delta 88 Royale Brougham
Z * Bonneville LE (1987)
Z * Bonneville SE
Z * Bonneville SSE (1995-98)

6-7 - Body Code (1986)
37 * 2-Door Coupe
69 * 4-Door Sedan

6 - Body Code (1987-96)
1 * 2-Door Coupe (1987-91 Buick, Oldsmobile)
5 * 4-Door Sedan
H * LSS

7 - Restraint System (1987-96)
1 * Manual Belts
2 * Manual Belts With Built-In Safety
2 * Driver & Passenger Air Bags With Manual Belts (1994-96)
3 * Driver Inflatable System, Passenger Manual Belt (1993)
4 * Automatic Belts (Front)

8 - Engine Code
C * 3.8L V6 3800 SFI 165 HP (LN3) (1988 T-TYPE & SSE, 1989-91)
K * 3.8L V6 (L36) 3800-II SFI 205 HP (1995 Pontiac, Olds)
K * 3.8L V6 (L36) 3800-II SFI 205 HP (1996)
L * 3.0L V6 MFI 125 HP (LN7) (1986)
L * 3.8L MFI V6 170 HP (L27) (1992-94)
L * 3.8L MFI V6 170 HP (L27) (1995-96 Buick)
1 * 3.8L V6 SFI 205 HP (L67) (Supercharged) (1992-93 SSEi)
1 * 3.8L V6 SFI 225 HP (L67) (*/C) (1994-96 SSEi, 1995-96 LSS)
3 * 3.8L V6 SFI 150 HP (LG3) (1986-88)

9 - VIN Check Digit
* 0 Through 9 Or X

10 - Vehicle Model Year
G * 1986
H * 1987
J * 1988
K * 1989
L * 1990
M * 1991
N * 1992
P * 1993
R * 1994
* * 1995
T * 1996
V * 1997
W * 1998

11 - Assembly Plant Code
H * Flint, MI
I * Wentzville, MO
W * Wentzville, MO
1 * Wentzville, MO
4 * Lake Orion, MI

12-17 - Serial Number
* Sequential Production Number
* 200001 (Pontiac)
* 300001 (Oldsmobile)
* 600001 (Pontiac)
* 800001 (Oldsmobile)