If you want to know exactly what a Cadillac came with from the factory—whether you’re an owner, buyer, seller, or enthusiast—the build sheet is the definitive record to examine. It documents the car’s original factory configuration, listing its installed options, trim levels, paint and upholstery codes, drivetrain specs, gear ratios, and every coded detail that defined how it left the assembly line.
While some automakers publicly release these records or the original window stickers, Cadillac’s access policies vary depending on the model year and production system. To simplify the process, we’ve created a Cadillac Build Sheet by VIN lookup tool that retrieves official factory build data whenever it’s available. By entering a vehicle’s VIN, users can instantly access a car’s authentic configuration details. If a complimentary Cadillac build sheet cannot be located, the system automatically searches for a free OEM window sticker as an alternative source of information. And when neither record is obtainable, we partner with a verified provider capable of reconstructing the build sheet or window sticker from official build data, ensuring the result is complete and accurate.
The following FAQ covers everything you need to know about Cadillac build sheets—where to find them, what they reveal, and why they’re indispensable for verifying a vehicle’s true factory specification.
Build sheet / broadcast copy: The internal assembly line manifest used during production at the plant. It lists the car’s configuration (options, paint/trim codes, axle, springs, tires, scheduling info, shipping/dealer codes, etc.). On many older Cadillacs, one or more paper copies were left in the car (often “hidden” under seats, carpet, or on top of the fuel tank). Not every car still has one and sometimes they’re misfiled (even from a different VIN on the same line).
SPID/RPO label (1980s–2017): GM’s Service Parts IDentification (SPID) label, listing the car’s option content as three‑character RPO codes. This is not the same as the original broadcast sheet, but it carries equivalent content for most purposes. Locations vary by model/year (glovebox, trunk/spare‑tire cover, rear compartment panel).
QR‑coded certification label (2018+): GM discontinued the physical SPID label on all 2018‑model‑year vehicles and moved the RPO data into a QR code on the driver‑side certification label (door jamb/B‑pillar). Scan with a phone; dealers can also print a full “Vehicle Build” list.
For historical Cadillacs, factory records from GM’s Heritage Archive via Allied Vaughn (official vendor):
For U.S.‑market Cadillacs built 1990s–present (digital era):
For cars originally sold in or assembled for Canada:
Typical locations include under seat cushions, hog‑ringed to seat springs, under carpet (front passenger footwell is common), behind door panels, on top of the fuel tank, or inside/behind the glovebox liner. Expect fragile paper; photograph the original build sheet before handling. Also be aware that the sheet you find can be for the wrong car (assembly‑line mix‑ups happened), so always verify it against the VIN or broadcast/sequence numbers. Remember, many cars no longer have a recoverable build sheet—age, moisture, upholstery work, or tank replacements often destroyed them.
GM discontinued the physical SPID label on all 2018‑model‑year vehicles. Much of that content moved to a QR code on the certification label (driver’s side B‑pillar). Use a phone to scan, or ask a dealer to print the official VIN “Vehicle Build” list.
Broadcast/build sheet (paper, older cars): VIN or sequence number, model/series, body/trim/paint codes, engine/trans/axle, springs/shocks, tire codes, option codes, line scheduling and routing info, ship‑to zone/dealer.
SPID label (1980s–2017) or QR‑based build list (2018+): RPO codes describing all standard and optional content. Example: three‑character codes (letters/numbers) like UQA (audio), G80 (locking differential), Y91 (luxury package), etc. These codes decode to descriptive names for each option.
Confirm your source: If it’s a fragile paper broadcast sheet, try to photograph it in place, then flatten and place it in a protective, transparent sleeve. If it’s a SPID label or QR scan, capture a clear image/PDF.
Decode the VIN: For 1981+ cars, use a 17‑character VIN decoder (NHTSA’s is free) to pull year, plant, and basic descriptors. Pre‑1981 VINs vary by make/year.
Map paint and trim: Use your model‑year’s GM Heritage “Vehicle Information Kit” (free PDFs) to translate paint/trim codes and equipment availability for that year. These kits are official literature and invaluable for verification.
Translate RPO codes: Cross‑reference each three‑character RPO. Dealer printouts already include descriptions; if you only have the codes, reliable decoding lists are widely published by GM parts sources. Be careful with generic lists—option meanings can shift by year and division; always sanity‑check against the Heritage kit for your year.
Validate consistency: Paint & trim codes should match the color/trim descriptions; drivetrain RPOs should match engine/trans callouts; special packages (e.g., Preferred Equipment Groups) should logically bundle with individual features listed.
Document anomalies: On classics, a paper sheet can be for another car if it was swapped during the assembly process. If the sheet’s sequence doesn’t match your VIN, don’t use it as proof—fall back to the cowl/body tag, SPID, invoice, or archive record.
Keep provenance together: Save PDFs, photos, the dealer build printout, and any archival record/invoice in one digital file set for the car.
Build sheet / SPID / QR build list: These are internal configuration records (or its service equivalent). No prices, no EPA metrics. Intended for manufacturing, parts, and service.
Window sticker (Monroney label): The legally mandated retail disclosure label on every new car sold in the U.S. It shows MSRP, factory options with prices, destination charge, EPA/NHTSA info, and content/origin disclosures. Required by the Automobile Information Disclosure Act of 1958 and subsequent rules (reproductions can be generated later, but those are not the original sticker).
A printed “window sticker” from a third‑party site is not a build sheet. It’s a consumer‑facing summary (often reconstructed) and may omit mid‑year or dealer‑installed items. But if a build sheet isn’t available these reproduced window stickers can provide a solid foundation for documenting a car’s original equipment.
Build Records (Cadillac only): 1903–1972 (1968 excluded). The order form also states no build records exist for 1974–1979 (1973 isn’t included in the published “available” range on the form). Fee: ~$50.
Original Invoices: 1980+ Cadillacs (archival dealer billing document with MSRP and factory options). Fee: ~$50.
SPID label (through 2017): Commonly glovebox, trunk/spare‑tire cover, or rear quarter trim panel; the exact location varies by model and year.
2018+ QR code: On the driver’s B‑pillar certification label; scan it to reveal RPOs. Dealers can print the full list if your reader app truncates it.
Ask a dealer for a Vehicle Build printout by VIN. If you want the label for show purposes, reproduction SPID labels exist for classics; mark them clearly as reproduction (they’re not official documentation).
Body/cowl (Fisher Body) tag: On older Cadillacs, the firewall/body tag encodes style number, build date code, paint, trim, and accessory codes. Use the GM Heritage Information Kit and credible Cadillac data‑plate references to decode accurately.
VIN: For 1981+ cars the VIN is standardized (17 characters) and can confirm model year and assembly plant; use a VIN decoder for authoritative plant and descriptor data.
They’re useful but imperfect. Many lists are aggregated across divisions/years; a code can have different meanings depending on model year and brand. Always cross‑check with your model‑year GM Heritage kit and (ideally) a dealer build printout.
If you have any issues or questions, feel free to reach out to our support team via info at buildsheetbyvin dot com.