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Mod | | | Forums66 Topics128,141 Posts1,056,471 Members48,441 | | 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!
Lots of work on Brad's part ... pure enjoyment (and references) for you!
| | THANKS!
For helping keep this great
old truck web site
on the Internet for over 30 years! and not clogged down
with Ads!  Again, thanks!
| | | | Joined: Jun 2020 Posts: 9 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Jun 2020 Posts: 9 | Greetings,
Wish I had gotten onto this site years ago!
I have a small collection of project Pickups and Stovebolts 41-53. I am finally getting around to doing some ID work. Articles on VIN by Barry Weeks (LInk?) and Series/Model by John Milliman (link?) have been VERY helpful. Thanks guys for the time and effort!
I am however, somewhat confused:
My '48 5 window 6RWF 2612 is supposed to be a 2 Ton, but has a Loadmaster 4400 (1.5T) badging on it.
My '53 W530010632 is Supposed to be a 6400 2T COE but is a conventional 2T.
Also is there any way to identify: an early 50's pickup bed - Scripted GMC
Custom Trim or Accessory packages that may have come with a particular model during these periods? I know on later years, GM just put additional letters and numbers in their VINs.
Any help in these area would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks again,
Cliff
"Never give up on a dream just because of the time it will take to accomplish it. The time will pass anyway." — Earl Nightingale
The two most important days of your life are the day you were born and the day you find out why. - Mark Twain
'70 C-20 2WD - Daily Driver
Future projects:
41 Chev 1/2T
'42 and '45 Master - 1.5T Flatbeds - WW2 Wartime Ag Acquisitions
'47 Thriftmaster - parts
'48 5-window Loadmaster - 1.5T
'50 4100 Dump Truck
'53 6400 2T Flatbed
| | | | | Joined: May 2015 Posts: 11,078 Housekeeping (Moderator) Making a Stovebolt Bed & Paint and Body Shop Forums | | Housekeeping (Moderator) Making a Stovebolt Bed & Paint and Body Shop Forums Joined: May 2015 Posts: 11,078 | If you haven't found it yet, the GM Heritage Center is a good resource. As far as pickup beds, they were the same from '41 thru 53. '54 (I think) had embossed bed sides, and '54-55's had flat rather than sloped top rails.
Kevin 1951 Chevy 3100 work truckFollow this saga in Project JournalPhotos 1929 Ford pickup restored from the ground up. | 1929 Ford Special Coupe (First car) Busting rust since the mid-60's If you're smart enough to take it apart, you darn well better be smart enough to put it back together. | | | | | Joined: Nov 2000 Posts: 1,969 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Nov 2000 Posts: 1,969 | Welcome to the addiction Rusted. There is a lot to learn. And it’s compounded some when it comes to the 47-55 Advance-Design trucks as they were so similar for 9 years. Especially 47-53: Hoods, fenders, grilles, doors, beds and lots of small parts. And lots of subtle changes year to year that only the experts will catch. This spotters guide might help. HereThis website has tons of useful Chevrolet info. HereGood luck with your trucks.
Professional Novice
| | | | | Joined: Mar 2010 Posts: 10,282 Renaissance Man | | Renaissance Man Joined: Mar 2010 Posts: 10,282 | It appears that the '53 has had a VIN plate transplant. These plates were attached to the left hinge pillar with special hollow rivets. How is your VIN plate attached?
1952 5-window - return to "as built" condition | 1950 3100 with a 235 and a T-5 transmission
| | | | | Joined: Dec 2002 Posts: 2,549 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Dec 2002 Posts: 2,549 | All 47-55 1st series, Chevrolet COE's, would either be 5100 (110in. wb), 5400(134in.wb), or 5700 series (158in. wb). There were no 6400 series COE's. | | |
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