Hi, does anyone have any clue what the "51" on third and fourth postition in VIN code od 88 Caprice should mean? It is supposed to be a body style code, but this combination is not mentioned in any VIN decoder. The car is a four door sedan (according to carfax the vin is correct), but code for four door sedan is 69. Combination "51" isn't mentioned in any Chevy VIN decoder ...

Your VIN should start with:

1G1BL or
1G1BN or
1G7BL or
1G7BN

That's according to my parts book anyways. I can't go any further as it's a Pontiac book so the remainder of the info in the VIN is Pontiac specific. The 1G1 is made in the US and the 1G7 is made in Canada.

He could also have BU mixed in there as well. 1G1BU...

If you're counting from the right...It's just part of the production sequence number.

Heck, I don't know what was I thinking about when I wrote the post. Od course I meant sixth and seventh digit. I maybe didn't counted the make identification.

So again - sixth and seventh digit should identify the body style. 35 is STW, 69 is sedan. I've got 51. This combination is mentioned nowhere ...

6 - Body Style: 5=4-door sedan
7 - Restraint Codes: 1= Manual Belts

At least that is how my 1997 SPO GM PRO books says how to interpret your VIN for 1988 GM cars.

Hey CD, you're right, that one was way down the list and I missed it!! Thanks

Knowing what digit's we're working with helps sometimes... ;)

I was using this: http://clubs.hemmings.com/clubsites/chevylist/tech/vin/decode_modern_vin.htm
Your version explains a lot.

Well if you have any more questions let me know and I'll try and figure it out.

"1G1BL or
1G1BN or
1G7BL or
1G7BN"

Any of those could also start with a 2, which would signify Canada as country of origin.