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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!
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| | | | Joined: Feb 2005 Posts: 7 New Guy | | New Guy Joined: Feb 2005 Posts: 7 | I just purchased my first old truck! A 3600 Chevy. The owner says it's a 1949, but the registration says 1951. The old owner says that when he bought it, in 1965, they couldn't find the vin # and stamped the frame. Could someone tell me the difference? Thanks, I'm really looking forward to this restoration and want to do it right! | | | | | Joined: May 2001 Posts: 1,904 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: May 2001 Posts: 1,904 | Try this link for characteristics of Old Chevy Trucks. It seems like vent windows in the doors would be the key. The '51 had them but the '49 didn't. They sometimes used engine numbers for the VIN's which could get confusing if someone swapped engines.
1948 3/4-Ton 5-Window Flatbed Chevrolet 34 Years. Now with a '61 261, 848 head, Rochester Monojet carb, SM420 4-speed, 4.10 rear, dual reservoir MC, Bendix up front, 235/85R16 tires, 12-volt w/alternator, electric wipers and a modern radio in the glove box.
| | | | | Joined: Oct 2003 Posts: 5,152 Cruising in the Passing Lane | | Cruising in the Passing Lane Joined: Oct 2003 Posts: 5,152 | Wally has it right. If you have wing windows and and turn-down type door handles its a '51 (provided of course the doors haven't been changed). After '51 push button handles were use. Before '51 no wing windows.
If its a '49 it should have lever type shocks. If its a '50 it should have tubular shocks.
1955 1st GMC Suburban | 1954 GMC 250 trailer puller project | 1954 GMC 250 Hydra-Matic | 1954 Chevy 3100 . 1947 Chevy COE | and more...
It's true. I really don't do anything but browse the Internet looking for trouble... | | | | | Joined: Jun 2000 Posts: 454 Shop Shark | | Shop Shark Joined: Jun 2000 Posts: 454 | Do you have the manufacturer's ID plate on the driver's side door post? This would be the only place on the AD trucks that an ID number would be found. As Wally pointed out, the "VIN" number you have may have been taken from the engine. Some jurisdictions assigned a state created VIN number.
If you do have th ID plate, you can definitely identify the year. If not, you have to use some of the other characteristics of the truck to help identify the year.
Jeff Nelson
"Beer is proof that God loves us and wants us to be happy." - Benjamin Franklin
"Always do right. This will gratify some people and astonish the rest." - Mark Twain
| | | | | Joined: Dec 2003 Posts: 2,953 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Dec 2003 Posts: 2,953 | There is a side vent on the cowl on the 49 but it was taken away when they brought in the wing windows. Sometimes people put different year doors on a different year cab so it could be confusing. The 49 fuse box on the firewall is larger than the 51. It has (I think) five fuses in it and measures about 4 x 6 inches. | | | | | Joined: Feb 2005 Posts: 7 New Guy | | New Guy Joined: Feb 2005 Posts: 7 | I just want to thank everyone for there help! | | | | | Joined: Feb 2000 Posts: 985 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Feb 2000 Posts: 985 | so is it a 49 or 51 ?
we want to know!
btw Welcome to the 'Bolt!
Brian Moore
1949 3100 5 window Deluxe
"Today is better than yesterday, but not as good as tomorrow"
| | | | | Joined: Feb 2005 Posts: 7 New Guy | | New Guy Joined: Feb 2005 Posts: 7 | I'll let you know tomorrow night! I'm going in the morning, to dig it out of the snow, and tow it home. Can't wait to start on it! I'm sure I'll have more questions. Thanks again for the help! | | | | | Joined: Feb 2005 Posts: 7 New Guy | | New Guy Joined: Feb 2005 Posts: 7 | The vote is in, it's a '49. Thanks for all the clues. If anyone wants to see pics, e-me. [email protected] | | |
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