The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area General Truck Talk 1947 chevy truck vin question

Could you guys help me out? I got one hell of a deal I just picked up an I think 47 chevy 1/2 ton truck for a whopping 600 bucks. But I don’t know for sure so heres my question, I have a 3x5 I think vin tag found on the passengers side under the hood on the cowl about half way down mid center. There is 47 on the tag then lower right hand 21AK10, then about an inch past that theres 1720. Would anyone have any info on the vin? Is this the vin? Also if some one knows about some parts - lok!

Thank you guys in advance

Don't lose those clutch head screws that hold it on and don't clean it up or "restore" it. In fact you should put it back on the truck where you found it before you lose it.

In many states it's illegal to remove those ID plates. There is a case of a fully restored early 60s Corvette being sent to the crusher by the state (Oklahoma? Nebraska? I forget) because the owner removed and restored the plate and attached it with incorrect fasteners calling into question the legality of ownership.

Built in Janesville WI. 21
1941. 1/2ton. AK
In October 10

Number 720 off the line. They start at 1000. 1720

Unless I am missing something.
Sample plate in image

jpmanyhearts, I tried a closeup view of your pictures and couldn't find anything stamped "47"??? I do see midway on the plate a stamped "46" which is in the section of the plate that was used to identify the trucks original weight classification (see reproduction plate sample below). In your case I think it would have read "4600" with the last two digits in black paint, not stamped. hcb3200's info on your truck serial number plate actually decoded as a 1941 AK model is accurate and comes from the data in the 1941 Chevrolet Truck data PDF.

An outstanding find for just $600! Looking forward to seeing and hearing more about your new acquisition! If you need parts, or tips on where to find parts, put ads up in the Truck Parts Wanted forum in the Swap Meet. Folks will be glad to offer what help they can.

Were there early ‘47 Chevy pickups with the older , pre Advanced Design body style?

It is not a 47 its a 41 according to the vin plate

If you don’t mind me asking, where does the 41 come into play if the 46 is the 4600 weight?

Also would that whole number be the vin I put on the police inspection paperwork?

WOW you guys are really helpful.

Sorry about the typo, it is 46 - lol!

Do you have a title?

The 21AK10 1720 would be the vehicle serial number that should appear on the title. Standardized VINs didn't appear unitl the mid 60's I believe. Before that, each manufacturer used their own serial number system.
It's possible that your state may assign a serial number if the title is unclear. You'll need to do whatever your state requires.

Nice truck and a smoking deal on the price.

The 41 is your year model


You have a 1941 Chevrolet model number 3100 ( 1/2 Ton) truck. With a max weight of 4600 Lb capacity with load ( the 46)

With a Serial number of “21AK10 1720”. (This number goes in the vin location on paperwork and title normally)

The police inspection guys will know this.

If you have a title then above year make and model and serial/vin is what it should say. If you have a title that says otherwise then you have some paperwork issues to resolve. If you have a bill of sale and it has a different year or other ids then you need to have that corrected as well.

The state you are in and it staff should be able to help you navigate as all states have their own way. They can tell you if you are allowed to have a reproduction plate made and stamped or if you must use original on the build. Again each state has its own rules on this. The most important part is a correct paper trail ( titles, bills of sale, registrations all lining up and correct from previous owner to you all with “21AK10 1720”. As the serial number for your truck because that is the plate you have with a clear serial number stamp. Even though you can’t read the rest is irrelevant

You do not have a 1947 truck as thread started. want to be clear again.

So in my state, I will need a bonded title with a bill of sale and a police vin inspection. I send all that in to the state and they send me a bonded title. Then after 3 years I get a clean clear title in my name. I talked to the previous owner, he said he bought it from a junk yard that was closing. It was supposed to be a father son project, but his father passed and he lost interest.



THANK YOU SO MUCH! Thats everything I wanted to know, EXCEPT..............I was going to build this with ifs, maybe a mild 350 with a 700r4, nice paint and interior. But now that (THANK YOU GUYS VERY MUCH BY THE WAY) I know I have a 41 and that they only made 5000, do I build it back stock? Just like it rolled off the assembly line? Is it a rare truck? What would you guys do ?

I would wait until you get a clear title before putting any appreciable money or effort into it.

Agree with clear title Comment before you drop tons of money in it.
What we would do is not the question. Since you have time. You need to decide your budget. Then start pricing out what you know you have to buy. And then make a build plan. It will go along smoother and faster. If you want a full restore go for it. Daily driver with ifs and 350 go for it. Rolling driving stopping pile of parts with miss matched paint. Feel free.
Bonded titles happen and most workout just fine.
But don’t rush to build it in a year drop 50k in it and have a title issue. But you can do the basics to get it going then build out closer to you clear title date all the big money projects. Worse thing is you have a pile of purchased parts to use on the next one. Best outcome is you have the truck of your dreams.

THANK YOU GUYS FOR ALL THE ADVICE! Working on the title now. I will keep you guys updated.

Do you still have the original engine? There a chance your truck was originally titled using the engine serial number (stamped on the flat pad next to the distributor), this number is different than the body number. If that's the way it was originally titled then your body serial number is not in any DMV data base.

As mentioned above you need to put the tag back on as the inspectors may not approve your title request if it shows signs of being tampered with.

Mike B

No, I have hardly anything. Basically it’s been completely stripped just like it was going in for paint. Everything has been stripped, although it does have a passenger side door handle - lol.