1982 VINs:
Your car's VIN will tell you a lot about your car, and is always a good place
to start. Where it was made, what engine it has, etc. All cars 1981 and later
have the 17-digit VIN tag, always in the lower (driver's side) corner of the
windshield. An example of a 1982 VIN tag would be this:
VIN numbers are broken down as follows,
using the example shown:
1st digit = 1 - Country of Origin - U.S.A.
2nd digit - G - Manufacturer - General Motors
3rd digit - 1 - Divisional Code - Chevrolet
4th Digit - A - there is some dispute over what this digit really means. Some
say it translates into Restraint System - Manual Belts. Some say it designates
the line between A-Body and G-body cars. Seeing as I've seen later cars with
a "G" here, and earlier cars with an "A", I go with the
latter theory.
5th digit - Z - Monte Carlo
6th and 7th digits - 37 - Body Style - 2 door Notchback Coupe
8th digit - K - Engine code - 229 (3.8l) V6
9th digit - X - Check digit, ignore
10th digit - C - Model Year - 1982
11th digit - B - Plant Code - Baltimore, MD
12th - 17th digits - Seuqential build number - 100001
HOW TO FIND YOUR RPO Codes:
On some cars, there is a Service Identification Sticker on the underside of
the decklid. This will have your car's VIN as well as all of the RPO codes
dictating the options that your car came with from the factory. Occasionally,
this sticker is missing. In that case (as was my own), your cowl (or trim)
tag, located on the driver's side of the car, near the back edge of the hood
has at least your car's trim/color codes, and is a good starting point. Using
my first car's tag as an example, your car's cowl tag would look something
like this:
Now, I will admit that I am NOT an expert
on cowl tags. I still don't know exactly what the entire tag says, but here
is a breakdown based on what I do know:
0 - Spacer
05B - Manufacturing Date - In this case, the second (B) week of May (05)
1 - Country of Origin - USA
G - Manufacturer - General Motors
Z - Model - Monte Carlo
37 - Body style - 2 door Notchback Coupe
B - Plant Code - Baltimore, MD
169785 - Sequential Build Number
77D - Trim combination - Cloth, Redwood
63L - Exterior Paint - Beige
77M - Accent Color - Redwood Metallic
L - Paint Type - Lacquer
A65 - Seat - Front bench, split back, center armrest
D84 - Custom Two-Tone Paint
Finding your car's build sheet would be even better, as it has any and all options printed on it that your car rolled out of the factory with. But as of yet, I am not too certain where they are located on 1982 Montes. I've been told everything from the door panels to headliners, to underneath the seats. If anyone has this kind of information, please feel free to drop me a line and let me know.
Back to the 1982 Monte Carlo Index Page.
Email: ladydmnfyre@yahoo.com