The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area General Truck Talk VIN '46 Chevy Pickup

This is my first question here. I've been reading for several nights and the topics are really helpful. I'm new to Chevrolets...Always had Fords. I bought a nice 1946 pickup, and took it down to the DMV to get title transferred from out of state. The tag with the VIN is missing from the side of the cowl under the hood. I have two questions: Is the VIN stamped somewhere else on body or frame? And, does someone make reproductions of the VIN plates that one could attach to the cowl? Thanks in advance for any help.

Hey George, Welcome to the Stovebolt page. It is great to have another Art Deco owner on here.

There are no numbers stamped anywhere else on the frame.

You may want to make sure the Engine number is not on the title. Some of the old stuff used that # too. Your engine # is found on the nice smooth section underneath the distrib. It should start with DBA or similar if you still have a 1946 (late) 216.

I think there are places you can purchase the serial number tags. Check the links section and scour the vendors...otherwise, someone will be along in a few minutes to tell you where to get one.

re po vin plates at jin carters

George,
Welcome, I bought my first Chevrolet about 6 months ago (a 46) Currently is all apart and can't wait to get it back together though. I live close if you need anything let me know I might be able to help.
Brian

'46 Chevys rule!!

Looking at the distributer, theres a smooth pad thing just below and to the left.. check the number there and see if it matches the number on your title.

Like 46IP said, it outta start with three alphanumeric characters like DBA if it's a 216.

You can check the numbers on the chart here

Welcome to the board!

George:

Something else to be cognizant of is that the engine in your truck may not be the original engine. It may still be a 216, but it may be from a later (or earlier) year. If that is the case, the letters DBA won't be applicable.

(For instance, mine has an engine in it that starts with GAA.)

If you could post the vin on your title, those of us with the Art Decos can tell you if it's a body serial or an engine serial easily enough.

Hey, thanks for all the replys... The VIN on the out of state title is 6DPJ4219 which I found in my research to mean it was assembled in Oakland, CA(it returns to its roots)in October. I hate to lose this VIN for future owners. DMV tells me that if I take the truck to the California Highway Patrol (that's where they say we now have to go for inspection since the VIN tag is missing) they will assign a new number. By the way, this thing is a bear to drive...drifts all over the road. Has a 261 CI engine and 355 rear-end, but I'll be d...'d if I would try to control it at 60-65 mph!

Welcome This is a great site,very helpful. I have a 42 I am working on. They are a great looking truck.

George:

That's definitely the Body Serial (VIN) for a 1946 second run half ton.

Piece of cake.

I dunno what to tell you about the VIN plate and the Highway Patrol. Does the DMV know that it's missing? In Michigan, they don't look at it -- even if it's an out-of-state truck. (They do, however, require a VIN inspection to get the title changed to the body serial from to the engine serial.)

Just a suggestion,... If it were me, I would get a repop vin tag made reflecting your trucks original vin #, before I had the title transfered and let the DMV look it over. It might save you some trouble if they want to verify #'s. They make vin tags just like the original. Check this link out. http://www.datatags.com/

George - Welcome aboard. What the others have said is all correct. I had the same problem with my 46. Had to take to the CHP and they put a "blue tag" on with a new number. Which is now my official Vin number. I had the old number on my paper work but without the ID plate they wern't going to take it.

I would get a repro plate and stamp your numbers on it and then get it registered. You won't have as many hoops to jump through. Maybe

By the way you have a great name.
Love those Art Decos.

George Wells

Welcome to Stovebolt! As some of the others said your VIN very well could be the engine number and if you want to keep that number check the boss behind the distributer to see if that number matches your title. You may have to scrape some crud off of the boss to read it.
If you want to know positively call 1-800-222-1020 which is GM Customer Service. They will take your VIN and send you an amazing amount of information on your bolt INCLUDING where to find the VIN and how to decode it. You get all kinds of techinical info and it's FREE if you live in the states. It took about two weeks for mine to arrive after I called. You won't be sorry you called.

George, welcome to the BOLT and nice to hear that another Art Deco truck in going to be saved.

Tiny's correct, the information contained in the restoration pack from GM is some great stuff most is not available elsewhere. Best of luck with the Calif. DMV they can be a pain!! Get a repo vin plate and you should find the process a little smoother.

Here is a link with lots of info and pic's.

http://www.brads41-46chevys.com/

best of luck and we love pic's of old bolts.

Again, thanks for all your great feedback. I will now contact the various web sites recommended and see what I can do. I really want to preserve the orginal VIN and its history. It's just incredible that you all can contribute such specific help. The art deco model is the best and is head and shoulders above the later model Fords and Chevys... The stovebolt rules...