Hello! Have a friend with a '57 Chevy 3100 pickup that he swears is an original V8 truck. It currently has a smallblock in it, and it has the V on the front emblem as well as on the doors. The vin reads as follows: 3A57S1156608. From what I can find on the net, 3A = 3100 1/2 ton, 57 = manufacture date, S = St. Louis, MO production. The last 6 numbers are supposed to represent the sequence, i.e. 156,608th truck made. What does the first "1" in the vin indicate? From what I've read, original V8 trucks are supposed to have a "V" in front of the 3A, i.e. V3A, maybe...3VA, etc. Is that the case, or could the VIN be incorrect, or ? Are there other ways of telling if the truck is an original V8 truck? I recall seeing something about the way the front motor mounts are attached to the frame. Thanks... Chris
The V Prefix is used to ID V* equipped trucks, 55-59 - what makes your friend swear it came that way - did he buy it new? Anybody can bolt a couple emblems on.
check front motor mount brackets---should be riveted-if they are bolted on its been changed. The brackets are next to impossible to rivet back on
V3A57..... is what the vin looks like on my 57 original V8 truck. Also the front engine mount brackets are riveted to the frame. Not so on my 57 original 6 cyl truck.
Thx for the replies. The truck has all the right emblems in the right places, that's why my friend says its a V8 truck. Don't know about the motor mounts. Seems to me that the vin should be the best indicator of what the truck really is. Any way the vin could be wrong?
Emblems are easy to add. The vin is not quite so easy. The riveted motor mounts are kind of difficult. Also make sure the vin on the frame matches the vin tag on the cab.
Who cares? Has it really gotten to the point that a '57 P/U is worth more or more desirable because it's an original V8 P/U over a 6? To me it's all about the sheet metal, cab, bed condition.
Brigrat - Depends on what you want. My friend wants to sell the truck, and he says that it's more valuable than a 6 cyl truck because of the lower production numbers. If you're going for a concours restoration, yes, it matters, if not, then no, it's not as important. Guess I'm one of those **** *******s who wants to know what he's buying before putting the money on the table. Chris
I might be able to see it if it was Cameo but the '55 '56 '57 Chevy or GM P/U are everywhere at decent prices regardless of V8 or 6, at least in my area. A hot rodded out '57 P/U will get more money than a stocker UNLESS you have found a low mile gennie survivor and even than it would be a push. JMO How about some pic's?
I'm with brigrat on the prices, unless its a cameo they can be had for a song. first thing i would check is the block because 57' had no provisions for side motor mounts that was started in 58'. After you find out the engine has been replaced offer the guy 50% of the asking price and go from their. being in a hurry will bite you. post some pic's.
I'd be leery if he is making the claim that it's a V8 truck because it has the emblems, even though the VIN is for a six...sounds like either he doesn't know what he's talking about, or he's being dishonest.
"Guess I'm one of those **** *******s who wants to know what he's buying before putting the money on the table." It's OK to be **** as a buyer but I don't think he knows what he's selling ......................
Always check the VIN. The badges don't mean nothing. Here's a example. Today, there are more Super Sport Chevys out there than Chevrolet actually made so ignore the S.S. and V badges and what the owner says. Trust the VIN.
Is the truck really more valuable if it's an original V8 truck instead of a 6? If its got a V8 in it now, and it's not the original motor, then what makes it more valuable?
Here's a picture of the truck. I'd posted about it a few months earlier. I'm still interested in it, but I still think he's asking too much for it, $7800, although that's down significantly from his original asking price, $8400. Yeah, I know, that's WAY more than what most people think it's worth, but I haven't seen anything half decent for under $6000 for the past 3mo. Chris
The value of being an original V8 truck is mostly to restorers. If you want to make it all original, then it's a big plus to have everything matching. If you just want an old truck to mess with, don't worry about it. But also don't believe a word the guy says about anything else on the truck--***ume every mechanical part needs to be rebuilt, carefully inspect everything yourself to make sure it's right, etc. And get someone who knows these old trucks to take a look at it for you, or else post a bunch of pictures from all angles so we can help you see what it really is.
This is not mine, but I think this should answer you're question. http://motors.shop.ebay.com/Vintage...nkwusc=v8+cross+memeber+57+chevy+truck&_rdc=1
I talked to this guy last week about the same truck. He sent me detailed pictures, and the door bottoms were rotted through, one cab corner and a few other rusted out spots. It looked really straight, but it has had a repaint, so who know's what's under there? It's a 327, so I can almost guarantee that it's NOT the original engine. 7800 seems steep to me. I would have bought it if he'd have dropped it to the 5-6k range. Good luck if you buy it. Cheers! -Levi-
Well there you go. If it's got a 327, it's not the original motor, so at that point it doesn't make a damn bit of difference if it was originally a V8 truck or not - unless you know where the original (if it was) 265 or 283 is.
Levi - Yeah, it's probably the same truck...did this one have the original manual replaced with an automatic? I offered him $7,000 and he flat out refused me. Said he had an offer in hand for $7500, but the same truck re-appeared on Craig's List yesterday. He said that he would NOT sell it for any less than $7800. Chris
I found this while looking for an answer to my question: My VIN on the ***le starts with the 3A57A[six digits]P, can someone tell me what the P means?
The Jalopy Journal
