The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area General Truck Talk Decipher VIN please

Hi! VIN tag on the upper driver's side pillar post of the 55 cab I am looking at has the following: VH255B029380 and means what? Thanks.

Info for a USA made 1955 2nd (second half year) to 1959 Chevrolet truck VIN tag.

Excellent.....thanks for the info buoymaker! So my cab indicates a 55 1/2 ton, 114"WB, V-8 (no indication if 265 or 283), assembled in Baltimore and the 28,379th (29380-1001) off the assembly line correct?

Should be a 265.

Chevy 283 didn't come out till 1957 according to a search on the Internet.
Since you have the second series, I have read that this is when Chevrolet started putting a VIN on the frame.
I never researched this myself so you should check.
Some state DMVs may check for the VIN frame stamp before issuing a new title.
Also insurance companies MAY fault your claim if the VIN is missing or wrong (think you swapped frames).

My 55.2 3100 has the VIN on the frame.

A "VIN" code on the frame became standard/required in 1956. A 1955-2nd truck/frame might have been within that "requirement window"?But, here is that info in the 1955-2nd Shop Manual

The online 1956 Truck Shop Manual is missing pages.

I am pretty sure that the 1956 Truck Shop Manual has a reference/image for a code on the frame. I showed that documentation/Shop Manual to the NC DMV inspector when he mistakenly told me that a code was placed on the frame in 1954 - he was incorrect and he was interested in seeing the documentation (he sent photos of the documentation to Raleigh).

Tim,

I checked my 1956 Truck Shop Manual Supplement and didn't find any info or pictures of the frame serial numbers. I'd love to see what you sent to the DMV if you can dig it up.

Mike B

Thanks everyone for the info. The truck is located in the US and I would be bringing it back to British Columbia, Canada. Does anyone see any problems with this since I won't have the original frame.......as previously noted, the 55 Cameo is all in parts (the owner says she has the original title). The 58/59 stepside truck that is also part of the deal does not have the original title but the owner says she can obtain one from the DMV? (she is manager of a dodge dealership).

Save yourself a lot of work and have her provide the title as part of the deal. I doubt anyone is going to look for a frame number as long as the cab serial number plate matches the paperwork.

Mike B

Thanks Mike B.....owner is willing to provide title for both trucks upon purchase.....cost for both trucks/all parts is $5500 US but who knows when I will be allowed to travel to the US to get them due to Covid!

Borbas, have you checked into what is required to import an automobile from the USA to Canada?

I quickly looked on WiKi. There are things like:

* Must be on Transport Canada’s list of permissible makes and models.
* Contact the Registrar of Imported Vehicles (RIV) and Transport Canada about any potential modifications.
* Purchase Canadian car insurance before you import your car to Canada.
* Obtain a “Proof of Recall Clearance” from your car manufacturer.
* Contact US and Canadian Customs.
* Take your car, Form 1, and Form 2 to an RIV inspection center (in Canada).

By virtue of its age it is allowed to be imported,
15 years or older all passenger cars and pickups are approved.

Call them and talk to an agent, I find they are very helpful
-s

That's cool and fortunate for our neighbors up North.

I live in a paranoid USA state and I only expound upon my situation in case it's beneficial to others.
If I import parts (used or new) and make a car/truck out of it, I have to go through the DMV gauntlet.
The reason for this is primarily to find stolen cars/trucks.
After it passes inspection, a new VIN tag and/or stamp, then a new title is issued for a "custom-built" vehicle.
If you are building a hot rod then it's not a problem. For an original truck, the title is a big sore toe for all to see.
Many inspections are done by the Highway Patrol and there is no way an average patrolman/patrolwoman can spot an original VIN tag.
There are special businesses that can smooth the process if you are willing to shuck out the $$$.

If I buy an AD truck, it is important to me, to have the original VIN tag mounted on the truck and matching title.
Sometimes it helps to produce the registration form for the last year the truck was registered.
Everything is on computer now and my state DMV only show records for the past 37 years.
Finally the license plate agency looks for anything suspicious or unknown about the paperwork, they may require Highway Patrol inspection.
You have to prove the truck is original and not stolen.
My state seriously monitors these agencies and will pull their business license if they don't enforce DMV requirements.

Not sure how it works out with the insurance company. I think insurance premium costs for custom-built is substantially higher.