The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area General Truck Talk What does this VIN mean? (1949 3800 I think)

Need a translation for the VIN: 3GS-A-1381

I know it’s a one ton from the 3800 on the hood but I’m not understanding the 1949 Chevrolet truck information pages I downloaded from the GM history site.

My dad purchased the truck used in 1978. Has a hydraulic bed and sides to haul grain & animals which we did until he didn’t need it anymore.

Any help would be much appreciated.

Don

ddlong - First off Welcome to Stovebolt! I added a little detail to your title so folks can get a better idea of what you're asking.

On that note, a check of the GM Heritage site provides this 1949 Chevrolet Truck Data PDF which provides the answer to your question and a whole lot of other info on the truck once you read through it.

Your VIN (technically a vehicle serial number as standardized VIN's did come along until much later) decodes as:

3 = St. Louis (Assembly Plant where built)

GS = 1949 Chevrolet 3800 1 Ton truck (code for model year and series number)

A = January (month of production)

1381 = 381st Chevrolet Truck built at the St. Louis Plant that year (Sequential Unit Number which started with 1001 as the 1st truck built on the line)

The hydraulic bed and sides would have been specialty equipment not originally installed at the factory when built.

Looking forward to seeing and hearing more about your truck!

3= St. Louis MO plant
GS = 1949 3800 series (FS would be a 1948 3800)
A = January Build month
1381 = 381st truck off the line.

[on edit] Dan got there first with the info (of course)

In our "Backroom", there is a series of Legacy Tech Tips on Identifying your truck. Maybe you'll find some other things of interest (to you or others who read this thread!).

Dan and Kevin;

Why did GM/Chevrolet start the serial numbers at 1001 instead of 0001? I kind of understand the need for place-holder numbers on the stamping machines but starting at 1001 seems needlessly convoluted. Is there a legitimate reason for this that I don't understand?

Just guessing on my part, but very likely there was an engineer involved in making that decision,FWIW!

Welcome to Stovebolt ddlong

The serial numbers starting with 1001 go back to at least 1933...maybe further. Marketing may have had something to do with it as it sounds like you've sold more than one car when you say 1001...lol!

Mike B

I think that Mike B hit the nail on the head as far as serial numbers.

I have no personal knowledge of the true answer Otto, but I would have to agree with Mike B's idea too. Every angle used to sell your vehicles and outsell the competition. I have a large quantity of 1930s-1960's Chevrolet Sales training film strips I acquired from fellow Bolter "carbking" which might provide some insight. That's another project for another day though.

ddlong - What else can we help you with on your truck?

NOTE: Be sure to give this Welcome Centre post... a read before you ask more questions though. It will help guide you on where to ask further questions.