I have just imported a what i was told is a 1948 Chevy truck, it didn't have a ***le so my shipper got me a ***le in California and it's come back as a 54 not a 48. the vin# is 21fpa1414, can anyone tell me what year that should be? from the pictures it's obviously not a 54 but i'm not too hot on the earlier year changes so also can anyone tell me the year from these pics... http://viewmorepics.myspace.com/ind...viewPicture&friendID=50247044&albumId=3359504 This is fairly urgent as the truck is arriving at the docks on Tuesday and i need to clarify the year to get it through customs as there is a big difference on the tax and duty we pay between pre 50 and post 50 commercial trucks... Thanks
Tim, this might help? http://chevy.oldcarmanualproject.com/models/index.htm I would have expected to see two letters at the start of the VIN#.
Here we go http://chevy.oldcarmanualproject.com/models/serial.htm 21 = Janesville, Wisconsin f = 1948 p = ? could it be a 'K' or a 'J' indicating fleetmaster or stylemaster? a = January 1414 = Sequence number Location of the serial number tag can make a difference. Other than that not sure I'm afraid. Hope you sort it, Mark.
Thanks for that Mark, at least i know it's a 48 after all, i think visually the fuel filler position also proves it... now just what to do about the customs to get it through customs at the correct Tax rate hmmm. Obviously the Californian DMV have made a **** up here, what's the chances of contacting them and getting the ***le re issued? also does anyone know if i could get a letter from Chevrolet them selves to varify the year build date?
Another question, on a 46 Chevy truck is the Vin stamped into the body or the frame anywhere other than on the riveted on plate? thanks
No VIN on Chevrolet before 1954. They did not ***in them until after that date. The ID number is on the plate on the firewall and sometimes on the left frame rail under the body. Go to the stovebolt website and they have an ID number decoder on the site.
Tim, My experience would agree with shadetreerodder. Sorry I missed your post about contact details, I've got them somewhere........
The reason i ask is because i found a pair of 46's Trucks i want to buy for myself and import to england, neither have ***les but i can sort that in California(as long as they give me the right year this time!) but one has no cowel tag so i'm a bit stuck on that one. I love the front end of the 41-46 trucks, is that what yours is Mark?
As far as the 48 is concerned i have a birth certificate from GM in the US to state it is 1948 truck, this has been submitted to customs instead of the ***le but i'm sure they are going to ask to see the ***le aswell. i also have a statement of error from my shipper to say the ***le is incorrect... hopefully i'll get it sorted somehow else it will have to get shipped all the way back to california which is just ridiculas!!
1946 trucks should have a serial number on a "plate on the right hand side of cowl under the hood." I don't know what this "no vin before 1954" stuff is; all Chevrolet trucks have a serial number through about 1968 when the Feds finally got their act together and mandated the VIN system for US cars. Even then it was 1981 before we got what they use today. Of course being on a tag they can get "lost" over the years, but that's another story.
The no vin thing is simply that the vin system did not exist before 1954. After a lot of research when our 49 fleetline arrived in the UK without any number on the car to match the ***le it turned out that before 54 a lot of ***les used the engine number as the identifying number. Our problem was that the engine had been changed at some point but the ***le had not been updated! UK customs tend to suffer from really good and really bad days, I hope you get them on a good day with your incorrect ***le! 22% import duty + 15% vat on your purchase and transport can really add up!!!!
the guys at www.stovebolt.com can help. it is pre 50' chevrolet as it has no wing windows,cowl vent drivers side and pull down door handles. 51' up has push ****on door handles. 54'-55' have one piece curved windshield and different grilles.
GM did not issue VIN number before 1954. Ford did. The serial number and the engine number in NC are combined to make the vin number which appears on the ***le. Even the DMV clerks here wrinkle their noses and go huh??? when they see the number. This is not an actual vin but it is used to identify the vehicle. Note that the serial number id tag on early Chevys trucks are held in place by screws and the same id tag on Fords are riveted. At least on mine they are.
yeah, mine's a '41, but running a '54 235ci motor. keep us up to date with how you get on. Feel free to pm me if there is anything I can do to help. Mark.
Here's what I turned up http://www.stovebolt.com/techtips/vin/vinbuster.html As the other guys say,there's a few Identifying features to differenciate between the years. 55 dude's right on the money...... Judging by your pics I'd be inclined to go with the '48. Try the guys here as well. http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/group.php?groupid=132 Good to see another AD here in 'Blighty!'
Well i'm happy to say the Truck made it through UK customs as a 48 and i picked it up yesterday... very happy with the condition, only found one parts that's rusted through on the whole truck and that's at the bottom of the drivers side A pillar. the rest is rock solid!
Hi Tim G, Yes, there is some confusion with these different Chevrolet VIN (Serial #) vinbuster sites. Some work and some do not. I have a '50 Chevy cab here and looking at another whole truck up in Central Kansas. With this link: I come up with Jan 1948, 1/2 ton, 116" wheelbase, and built in Janesville, WI. with your S/N... http://www.stovebolt.com/techtips/vin/vinbuster.html Good luck with your import...Hope all goes well with your project...duane
Thanks, the way things are going and the interest i'm getting on my site there will be a few more AD's here soon , the 48 is for a customer of mine and i have a 53(for my girl) at the docks which i should be picking up on Tuesday. I also have a friend with a 62 C10 chevy truck on the way and have found a 49 Ford F3 for another mate so next years going to be truck crazy in these parts
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