Two points. I think Bill's explanation is good, during the WAR, WW2, vehicles were made for the armed services and very few released to civilians. "Controlled by Gubmint". You had to have a good reason for one: fire truck, Civil Defense, essential delivery, etc. Germany surrender early may 1945, Japan, early September 1945. They didn't get producing/selling for civilian again until 1946. I am guessing they did not sell like hot cakes right away until the boys came home and got jobs. Maybe that's why you have a low number, if that's a low number. Next: I know this is repeating what others have said but, let's agree that early trucks had identifying numbers in various places and with various names but now with us all getting modern titles, they are listed as VIN's. and a Kleenex is a facial tissue and a Phillips head screw is a cross recess, and a coke is anything. They are VIN's, it just stands for...now listen.....Vehicle Identification Number, which can be an engine number and serial number an assigned number a frame number, a number on a tag somewhere... A NUMBER, numeric or alpha/numeric. Most of us know they were called other names and if we want to tell someone that it's a tag or serial number for FYI, that's learn'in. But to demand we/they call it that, is a little harsh.
