Here is a quick 101 on how to use this info:
The VL VIN is made up of 14 digits. These 14 Digits can be broken down into 8 parts. Lets have a look at an example:
8L356FJ531015L is the VIN we will use as a hypothetical, it can be broken down into 8 parts:
8 L 35 6 F J5 31015 L
Where:
Part 1 is the car manufacturer, 8=GMH
Part 2 is the variant, L=Berlina
Part 3 is comprised of 2 digits, 35 = Wagon
Part 4 tells us the engine, 6 = 3.0L EFI inline 6
Part 5 tells us what year the car was made, F = 1986.
Part 6 is comprised of 2 digits and tells us where the car was made, J5 = Melbourne
Part 7 is made up of 5 digits and is a unique, sequential build number
Part 8 tells us what series the car is from, L = VL
So what we have here is a 1986 VL Berlina Wagon that’s running a 3.0L inline 6 engine, it was manufactured in Melbourne. All VL VIN numbers will follow this same format. Here is a collection VL VIN data to help you decode your own VIN:
Digit 1 is the Manufacturer Code
8=GMH
Digit 2 shows the Specification Level
K = Commodore SL/ Executive
L = Commodore Berlina
X = Calais (Not officially marketed as a ‘Commodore’)
Digits 3 and 4 indicate the Body Style
19=Sedan.
35=Wagon.
Digit 5 is the Engine Type
6 = 3.0L
7 = 2.0L
8 = 3.0L Turbo.
J = 5.0 V8
Digit 6 gives us the year it was produced
F=1986.
G=1987.
H=1988.
Digits 7 and 9 tell us where it was manufactured:
J1-J9=Melbourne.
L1-L5=Adelaide.
Digits 9 – 13 are the sequential build number
Digit 14 is the model code
L= VL