VINs and RPO Service Labels
Ken Mosher
Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs)
The following diagram shows the location of the VIN plate on the G Bodys. There is no way to determine if the car is truly a GN via the VIN (vs. a Turbo Regal as determined by VIN digit 8 = 7 for 1986/87 or VIN digit 8 = 9 for 1984/85 TRs). A better way is to look at the RPO sticker in the trunk as described below. This sticker should have a matching VIN with the VIN plate.

General VIN decoding for 1987 Buicks
Example: 1G4GJ117XHP400001 for a 1987 Grand National:

1 = Manufacturing Country (USA)
G = Manfacturer (GM)
4 = Division (1=Chevy, 2=Pontiac, 3=Oldsmobile, 4=Buick, 5=GMC, 6=Cadillac)
G = Series (G body)
J = Sales/Option level (Regal ... K was supposed to be GN, but wasn't used)
1 = Body Code (2 Door Coupe)
1 = Restraint System (manual belts)
7 = Engine Code (LC2 3.8L SFI Turbo
X - Check Digit
H = Model year (H = 1987)
P = Plant Code (Pontiac Michigan)
400001 = Serial number

Name Series Sales/
VIN code		 Body Type Restraint System Engine Engine Option Code Plant Starting VIN
Skyhawk Custom J
S
 1 = 2 Door Coupe
5 = 4 Door Sedan
8 = 4 Door Wagon
3 Door Hatchback		 1 = AS8 Manual Belts 2.0L 121 L4 TBI K = LT2 K = LEEDS 400001
Skyhawk Sport 2.0L HO L4 TBI 1 = LL8
Skyhawk Limited
T
 2.0L MFI Turbo M=LT3
. . . . . . . . .
Skylark Custom N C 5 = 4 Door Sedan 2 = AR4 Manual Belts
with built in Safety		 2.5L L4 TBI U = L68 M = LANSING 400001
Skylark Limited D 5 = 4 Door Sedan
Somerset Custom J 1 = 2 Door Coupe
3.0 V6 MFI
L=LN7
Somerset Limited M 1 = 2 Door Coup
. . . . . . . . .
Century Custom A H 1 = 2 Door Coupe
5 = 4 Door Sedan
8 = 4 Door Wagon
 1 = AS8 Manual Belts 2.5L 151 L4 EFI R=LR8 D=Doraville 400001
Century Limited L 2.8L 173 V6 2BBL W= LB T=Tarrytown
Century Estate Wagon 3.8L V6 SFI 3=LG3 6= Oklahoma City
. . . . . . . . .
Regal G J 1 = 2 Door Coupe 1 = AS8 Manual Belts 3.8L 231 V6 2BBL A=LD5 P= Pontiac 40001
Regal Grand National 3.8L V6 SFI Intercooled Turbo 7=LC2
Regal Limited M 5.0L 307 V8 4 BBL Y=LV2
. .. . . . . . . .
Lesabre H H 1 = 2 Door Coupe
5 = 4 Door Sedan
 2 = AR4 Manual Belts
with built in Safety		 3.8L V6 SFI 3=LG3 H=Flint 400001
Lesabre Custom P
Lesabre Limited R
Lesabre T Type L
. .. . . . . . . .
Estate wagon - Lesabre B R 8=4 Door Wagon 1 = AS8 Manual Belts 5.0L 307 V8 4 BBL Y=LV2 X=Fairfax 400001
Estate wagon - Electra V
. . . . . . . . .
Electra Limited C X 1 = 2 Door Coupe
5 = 4 Door Sedan
 1 = AS8 Manual Belts 3.8L V6 SFI 3=LG3 1=Wentzville 400001
Electra Park Avenue W
Electra T Type F
. . . . . . . . .
Riviera (Luxury) E Z 1 = 2 Door Coupe 1 = AS8 Manual Belts 3.8L V6 SFI 3=LG3 U=Hamtramck 400001
Riviera T Type Y

General VIN decoding for 1986 Buicks
Example: 1G4GK477XGP400001 for a 1986 Grand National:

1 = Manufacturing Country (USA)
G = Manfacturer (GM)
4 = Division (1=Chevy, 2=Pontiac, 3=Oldsmobile, 4=Buick, 5=GMC, 6=Cadillac)
G = Series (G body)
K = Sales/Option level (Regal T-Type)
4 = Body Code (2 Door Coupe)
7 = Second Digit
7 = Engine Code (LC2 3.8L SFI Turbo
X - Check Digit
G = Model year (G = 1986)
P = Plant Code (Pontiac Michigan)
400001 = Serial number

Name Series Sales/
VIN code		 Body Type Engine Engine Option Code Plant Starting VIN
Skyhawk Custom J
S
 27 = 2 Door Coupe
45 = 4 Door Sedan
35 = 4 Door Wagon
 2.0L 121 L4 TBI K = LT2 K = LEEDS 400001
Skyhawk Sport 2.0L HO L4 TBI 1 = LL8
Skyhawk Limited
T
 2.0L MFI Turbo M=LT3
. . . . . . . .
Skylark Custom N C 69 = 4 Door Sedan 2.5L L4 TBI U = L68 M = LANSING 400001
Skylark Limited D 69 = 4 Door Sedan
Somerset Custom J 27 = 2 Door Coupe
3.0 V6 MFI
L=LN7
Somerset Limited M 27 = 2 Door Coupe
. . . . . . . .
Century Custom A H 27 = 2 Door Coupe
69 = 4 Door Sedan
35 = 4 Door Wagon
 2.5L 151 L4 EFI R=LR8 D=Doraville 400001
Century Limited L 2.8L 173 V6 2BBL W= LB T=Tarrytown
Century Estate Wagon 3.8L V6 SFI 3=LG3 6= Oklahoma City
. . . . . . . .
Regal G J 47 = 2 Door Coupe 3.8L 231 V6 2BBL A=LD5 P= Pontiac 40001
Regal Grand National 3.8L V6 SFI Intercooled Turbo 7=LC2
Regal Limited M 5.0L 307 V8 4 BBL Y=LV2
. .. . . . . . .
Lesabre H H 37 = 2 Door Coupe
69 = 4 Door Sedan
 3.8L V6 SFI 3=LG3 H=Flint 400001
Lesabre Custom P
Lesabre Limited R
Lesabre T Type L
. .. . . . . . .
Estate wagon - Lesabre B R 35=4 Door Wagon 5.0L 307 V8 4 BBL Y=LV2 X=Fairfax 400001
Estate wagon - Electra V
. . . . . . . .
Electra Limited C X 37 = 2 Door Coupe
69 = 4 Door Sedan
 3.8L V6 SFI 3=LG3 1=Wentzville 400001
Electra Park Avenue W
Electra T Type F
. . . . . . . .
Riviera (Luxury) E Z 57 = 2 Door Coupe 3.8L V6 SFI 3=LG3 U=Hamtramck 400001
Riviera T Type Y

General VIN decoding for 1985 Buicks
Example: 1G4GK479XFP400001 for a 1985 Grand National:

1 = Manufacturing Country (USA)
G = Manfacturer (GM)
4 = Division (1=Chevy, 2=Pontiac, 3=Oldsmobile, 4=Buick, 5=GMC, 6=Cadillac)
G = Series (G body)
K = Sales/Option level (Regal T-Type)
4 = Body Code (2 Door Coupe)
7 = Second Digit
9 = Engine Code (LM9 3.8L SFI Turbo
X - Check Digit
F = Model year (F = 1985)
P = Plant Code (Pontiac Michigan)
400001 = Serial number

Name Series Sales/
VIN code		 Body Type Engine Engine Option Code Plant Starting VIN
Skyhawk Custom J
S
 27 = 2 Door Coupe
45 = 4 Door Sedan
35 = 4 Door Wagon
 1.8L/111 L4 TBI O=LH8 K = LEEDS 400001
Skyhawk Sport 2.0L/121 L4 TBI P=LQ5
Skyhawk Limited
T
 1.8L MFI Turbo J=LA5
. . . . . . . .
Skylark Custom N C 69 = 4 Door Sedan 2.5L L4 TBI U = L68 M = LANSING 400001
Skylark Limited D 69 = 4 Door Sedan
Somerset Custom J 27 = 2 Door Coupe
3.0 V6 MFI
L=LN7
Somerset Limited M 27 = 2 Door Coupe
. . . . . . . .
Century Custom A H 27 = 2 Door Coupe
69 = 4 Door Sedan
35 = 4 Door Wagon
 2.5L 151 L4 EFI R=LR8 D=Doraville 400001
Century Limited L 2.8L 173 V6 2BBL W= LB T=Tarrytown
Century Estate Wagon 3.8L V6 SFI 3=LG3 6= Oklahoma City
. . . . . . . .
Regal G J 47 = 2 Door Coupe 3.8L 231 V6 2BBL A=LD5 P= Pontiac 40001
Regal Grand National 3.8L V6 SFI Turbo 9=LM9
Regal Limited M 5.0L 307 V8 4 BBL Y=LV2
. .. . . . . . .
Lesabre Custom B N 37 = 2 Door Coupe
69 = 4 Door Sedan
4.1L/252 V6 4BBL
4=LC4
 H=FLINT
400001
Lesabre Limited P
3.8L/231 V6 2BBL
A=LD5
Estate wagon - Lesabre R 35=4 Door Wagon 5.0L 307 V8 4 BBL
Y=LV2
 X=Fairfax 800001
Estate wagon - Electra V
5.7L/350 V8 Diesel
N=LF9
. . . . . . . .
Electra Limited C X 37 = 2 Door Coupe
69 = 4 Door Sedan
 3.8L V6 SFI 3=LG3 1=Wentzville 400001
Electra Park Avenue W
Electra T Type F
. . . . . . . .
Riviera (Luxury) E Z 57 = 2 Door Coupe 3.8L V6 SFI 3=LG3 U=Hamtramck 400001
Riviera T Type Y

General VIN decoding for 1984 Buicks

Example: 1G4AK479XEH400001 for a 1984 Grand National:

1 = Manufacturing Country (USA)
G = Manfacturer (GM)
4 = Division (1=Chevy, 2=Pontiac, 3=Oldsmobile, 4=Buick, 5=GMC, 6=Cadillac)
A = Restraint System
K = Sales/Option leve (Regal T-Type)l
4 = Body Code (2 Door Coupe)
7 = Body Code (2nd digit)
9 = Engine Code (LM9 3.8L SFI Turbo
X - Check Digit
E = 1985 Model year (E = 1984)
H = Plant Code (Flint Michigan)
400001 = Serial number

Name Series Sales/
VIN code		 Body Type Engine Engine Option Code Plant Starting VIN
Skyhawk J
S
 27 = 2 Door Coupe
69 = 4 Door Sedan
35 = 4 Door Wagon
 1.8L/111 L4 TBI O=LH8 K = LEEDS 400001
Skyhawk T-Type
E
 2.0L/121 L4 TBI P=LQ5
Skyhawk Limited
T
 1.8 MFI Turbo J=LA5
. . . . . . . .
Skylark X B 37 = 2 Door Coupe 2.8L/173 V6 2bbl X=LE2 W= WILLOW RUN 400001
Skylark Limited C 69= 4 Door Sedan 2.8L/173 V6 2bbl Z=LH7
Skylark T-Type D 37 = 2 Door Coupe
2.5L/151 L4 TBI
R=LR8
. . . . . . . .
Century Custom A H 27 = 2 Door Coupe
19 = 4 Door Sedan
35 = 4 Door Wagon
 2.5L 151 L4 EFI R=LR8 D=Doraville 400001
Century Limited L 3.0L/181 V6 2bbl E=LK9
Century Estate Wagon 4.3L/260 V6 Diesel T=LT7 6= Oklahoma City
Century T-Type G 3.8L/231 V6 MFI
3=LN3
. . . . . . . .
Regal G J 47 = 2 Door Coupe
69 = 4 Door Sedan
 3.8L 231 V6 2BBL A=LD5 R = ARLINGTON 40001
Regal T-Type
K
 3.8L V6 SFI Turbo 9=LM9
Regal Limited M 4.1L/252 V6 4BBL 4=LC4 H = FLINT
4.3L/260 V6 Diesel
V=LT6
. . . . . . . .
Lesabre Custom B N 37 = 2 Door Coupe
69 = 4 Door Sedan
 4.1L/252 V6 4BBL 4=LC4 X = FAIRFAX 400001
Lesabre Limited P 3.8L/231 V6 2BBL
A=LD5
5.0L 307 V8 4BBL
Y=LV2
 H=FLINT
Electra Estate Wagon V 35=4 Door Wagon 5.7L/350 V8 Diesel
N=LF9
800001
. . . . . . . .
Electra Limited D R 37=2 Door Coupe
69=4 Door Sedan		 4.1L/252 V6 4BBL 4=LC4 H=FLINT 400001
5.7L/350 V8 Diesel
N=LF9
Electra Park Avenue U 5.0L/307 V8 4BBL
Y=LV2
. . . . . . . .
Riviera (Luxury) E Z 57 = 2 Door Coupe 4.1L/252 V6 4BBL 4=LC4 E=LINDEN 400001
5.7L/350 V8 Diesel
N=LF9
Rivieria Convertible 67 = Converible 5.0L/307 V8 4BBL
Y=LV2
Riviera T Type Y 57 = 2 Door Coupe 3.8L V6 SFI Turbo
9=LM9

General VIN decoding for 1983 Buicks
Example: 1G4AK479XDH400001 for a 1983 T- Type:

1 = Manufacturing Country (USA)
G = Manfacturer (GM)
4 = Division (1=Chevy, 2=Pontiac, 3=Oldsmobile, 4=Buick, 5=GMC, 6=Cadillac)
A = Restraint System
K = Sales/Option leve (Regal T-Type)
4 = Body Code (2 Door Coupe)
7 = Body Code (2nd digit)
3 = Engine Code (3.8 4BBL Turbo)
X - Check Digit
D = 1985 Model year (D = 1983)
H = Plant Code (Flint Michigan)
400001 = Serial number

Name Series Sales/
VIN code		 Body Type Engine Engine Option Code Plant Starting VIN
Skyhawk J
S
 27 = 2 Door Coupe
69 = 4 Door Sedan
35 = 4 Door Wagon
 1.8L/111 L4 TBI O=LH8 K = LEEDS 400001
Skyhawk T-Type
E
 2.0L/121 L4 TBI P=LQ5
Skyhawk Limited
T
 1.8 MFI Turbo J=LA5
. . . . . . . .
Skylark X B 37 = 2 Door Coupe 2.8L/173 V6 2bbl X=LE2 W= WILLOW RUN 400001
Skylark Limited C 69= 4 Door Sedan 2.8L/173 V6 2bbl Z=LH7
Skylark T-Type D 37 = 2 Door Coupe
2.5L/151 L4 TBI
R=LR8
. . . . . . . .
Century Custom A H 27 = 2 Door Coupe
19 = 4 Door Sedan
35 = 4 Door Wagon
 2.5L 151 L4 EFI R=LR8 D=Doraville 400001
Century Limited L 3.0L/181 V6 2bbl E=LK9
Century Estate Wagon 4.3L/260 V6 Diesel T=LT7 6= Oklahoma City
Century T-Type G 3.8L/231 V6 MFI
3=LN3
. . . . . . . .
Regal G J 47 = 2 Door Coupe
69 = 4 Door Sedan
 3.8L 231 V6 2BBL A=LD5 R = ARLINGTON 40001
Regal T-Type
K
 3.8L V6 Carb Turbo 9=LM9
Regal Limited M 4.1L/252 V6 4BBL 4=LC4 H = FLINT
4.3L/260 V6 Diesel
V=LT6
. . . . . . . .
Lesabre Custom B N 37 = 2 Door Coupe
69 = 4 Door Sedan
 4.1L/252 V6 4BBL 4=LC4 X = FAIRFAX 400001
Lesabre Limited P 3.8L/231 V6 2BBL
A=LD5
5.0L 307 V8 4BBL
Y=LV2
 H=FLINT
Electra Estate Wagon V 35=4 Door Wagon 5.7L/350 V8 Diesel
N=LF9
800001
. . . . . . . .
Electra Limited D R 37=2 Door Coupe
69=4 Door Sedan		 4.1L/252 V6 4BBL 4=LC4 H=FLINT 400001
5.7L/350 V8 Diesel
N=LF9
Electra Park Avenue U 5.0L/307 V8 4BBL
Y=LV2
. . . . . . . .
Riviera (Luxury) E Z 57 = 2 Door Coupe 4.1L/252 V6 4BBL 4=LC4 E=LINDEN 400001
5.7L/350 V8 Diesel
N=LF9
Riviera Convertible 67 = 2 Door Coupe 5.0L/307 V8 4BBL
Y=LV2
Riviera T Type Y 57 = 2 Door Coupe 3.8L V6 Carb Turbo
9=LM9

Regular Production Order (RPO) Tags

For more information and decoding of the RPO tags, CLICK HERE! This section also describes the BODY TAGs!


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