Slick69,

Where did you find the "vin #"? On a title, registration, or the egnine?
Can you post a link to a photo of the code?
Might the prefix letters be HBA?

If it is the engine serial number (pressed into the block to the rear of the distributor), it looks a little like a 1950 truck engine serial number.

If your engine is clean and accessible, find and post the various casting codes, date codes, and engine serial number.

A 1950 model truck night have been built in 1949, sold in 1949, and first titled/registered in 1949. Stranger things have been reported.

Do you have a Vehicle Serial Number tag between the hinges on the driver's side?