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| | | Forums66 Topics128,050 Posts1,055,671 Members48,426 | | Most Online14,466 Apr 26th, 2026 | | AD Chevy Trucks Over 6,000 pictures Brad Allen has an awesome collection of Chevrolet factory pictures that he has set up from film strips. Check them out!
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on the Internet for over 30 years! and not clogged down with Ads! Again, thanks! | | | | Joined: Mar 2014 Posts: 195 Shop Shark | | Shop Shark Joined: Mar 2014 Posts: 195 | Hey guys. My dad is convinced that our chevy is from 1951. The VIN number starts with KAD, which means its a 1952 right? starting with K and all.. I tried the Vinbuster: http://www.stovebolt.com/techtips/vin/vinbuster.htmlBut this is what came out: ... Your 'VIN Buster' Results ... Serial # : KAD******* Mfg Year : unknown Model : Style : Chassis & Cab Plant : unknown So this doesnt help me.. Anyone who knows how i can find out as much as possible about our truck? Chevrolet 3100 Year: 1951 engine: inline 6 217CI Transmission: Manual 3-Speed. 12Volt. | | | | | Joined: Nov 2005 Posts: 6,100 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Nov 2005 Posts: 6,100 | Hy Raoul, I'm not very familiar with American truck serial numbers, but that looks like an engine serial number not the trucks serial number, the V.I.N. buster won't decipher engine serial numbers. Many jurisdictions used the engine number to title the truck, but the V.I.N. buster only deciphers the truck serial number. 1951 was the only production year that the doors were equipped with turn down door handles and a vent window, hope that helps. | | | | | Joined: Mar 2014 Posts: 195 Shop Shark | | Shop Shark Joined: Mar 2014 Posts: 195 | Well thats what my dad said, and thats what our truck has. So that quite solid, aslong as these are the original doors. But our truck is registred here in sweden as a 1952 truck. So i try to get some american information to send to our vehicle registration office, so they can do it right and make it a 1951 in the documents aswell. Also, this "vin number" is stamped into the passenger side of the chassis just above the front end of the suspension of the frontwheel. Also, this doesnt help to much either..: http://www.stovebolt.com/techtips/i...potting%20Guide/AD%20Spotter%20Guide.pdf
Last edited by Raoul; 08/31/2014 7:46 PM.
Chevrolet 3100 Year: 1951 engine: inline 6 217CI Transmission: Manual 3-Speed. 12Volt. | | | | | Joined: May 2006 Posts: 8,351 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: May 2006 Posts: 8,351 | There should be a small stainless steel plate spot welded to the drivers side door pillar with a number stamped on it. Than number is the body/chassis serial number, which is what the vin buster will decode. There shouldn't be a number on the frame, or at least not one put there by the factory. The number you have on the frame more than likely was put there after the engine was changed, as it does appear that you might have a '52 engine in a '51 truck (not uncommon). There also is a possibility that the doors could have been changed, which is also not unusual.
Bill Burmeister | | | | | Joined: Mar 2014 Posts: 195 Shop Shark | | Shop Shark Joined: Mar 2014 Posts: 195 | That plate is painted and looks smooth and even.. How do i remove the paint without removing important information? Chevrolet 3100 Year: 1951 engine: inline 6 217CI Transmission: Manual 3-Speed. 12Volt. | | | | | Joined: Mar 2014 Posts: 195 Shop Shark | | Shop Shark Joined: Mar 2014 Posts: 195 | GOT IT! NICEEEE
Serial # : 8JP***** Mfg Year : 1951 Model : 3100 1/2 ton Wheelbase : 116 inches Plant : Atlanta, GA
You guys think the vin buster is enough for our vehicle registration office is enough to make them change the registration details?
Last edited by Raoul; 08/31/2014 8:11 PM.
Chevrolet 3100 Year: 1951 engine: inline 6 217CI Transmission: Manual 3-Speed. 12Volt. | | | | | Joined: Sep 2001 Posts: 29,269 Bubba - Curmudgeon | | Bubba - Curmudgeon Joined: Sep 2001 Posts: 29,269 | Raoul,
Can you post a link to a photograph of the plate, so we can see the code?
Or, mail a photograph of the plate to me and I will post it.
KAD is not a prefix shown in 51 or 52 car or truck engine or vehicle serial numbers.
| | | | | Joined: Sep 2001 Posts: 29,269 Bubba - Curmudgeon | | Bubba - Curmudgeon Joined: Sep 2001 Posts: 29,269 | | | | | | Joined: Mar 2014 Posts: 195 Shop Shark | | Shop Shark Joined: Mar 2014 Posts: 195 | It says KAD2358824 On the chassis at the passengerside. It says 8JPI-17121 On the plate on the door pillar. Why do you need pictures  ?
Last edited by Raoul; 08/31/2014 8:32 PM.
Chevrolet 3100 Year: 1951 engine: inline 6 217CI Transmission: Manual 3-Speed. 12Volt. | | | | | Joined: Sep 2001 Posts: 29,269 Bubba - Curmudgeon | | Bubba - Curmudgeon Joined: Sep 2001 Posts: 29,269 | No pictures needed now - I think the KAD code was not an original code (nor in an original location) for a USA truck in 1951.
| | | | | Joined: Apr 2006 Posts: 506 Shop Shark | | Shop Shark Joined: Apr 2006 Posts: 506 | Hey guys. My dad is convinced that our chevy is from 1951.
Anyone who knows how i can find out as much as possible about our truck? Have you tried here, http://chevy.oldcarmanualproject.com/chevyresto/index.htm
-Tom
1950 Chevy 3100 w/ 1956 235
| | | | | Joined: Jul 2004 Posts: 2,987 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Jul 2004 Posts: 2,987 | Sometimes trucks were not titled till the year they were actually sold. If it was built in '51, but not sold till '52 that could explain why it was registered that way. | | | | | Joined: Feb 2002 Posts: 12,029 Cruising in the Passing Lane | | Cruising in the Passing Lane Joined: Feb 2002 Posts: 12,029 | yes, back in the 50's vehicles were titled as the year of first sale, not year of manufacture - also that number on the frame was not stamped at the factory, it was added later - the 'vin' on the title is what counts, and that number should be found on the truck, either on the door tag or the engine, if the title matches the number on the frame you might be opening a can of worms trying to get them to change the year on the title  Bill | | | | | Joined: Mar 2008 Posts: 3,750 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Mar 2008 Posts: 3,750 | I was under the impression actual stamped chassis # didn't come into use until the second series Task Force trucks. AFAIK AD first series trucks simply had the alloy plate in the LH door jamb.
Even if the screen print is worn off/weathered and assuming it's still there,you should be able to read the serial number along the bottom,that's how I found mine.
I also thought '51s were a one year only deal,that's unless the doors on your truck have been changed out in the past Raoul. They for me were the main identifying part for a '51. i.e. turn down handles and 2 piece glass.
1950 Chevy Advance Design 3100 in ScotlandIn the Stovebolt GalleryMore pix on Flickr. I've definately got this truck thing in my blood ... my DNA sequence has torque settings"Of all the small nations of this earth,perhaps only the ancient Greeks surpass the Scots in their contribution to mankind" Winston Churchill.
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