The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area General Truck Talk VIN Location for 41-47 Chevy Trucks

Hello All,
I am curious where a VIN number can be found on 41-47 Trucks that are missing the data plate, thanks

That question gets asked a LOT. Using the search function at the top of the page will get you what you want to know. You should also be able to find what you want under the tech tips link. Welcome to the 'bolt. Do you have pics of your truck?

I tried searching first and found out where the VINs are located on the later trucks (47-53???) but not the 41-47. also, on that note, i found several good site to order parts for the classic Chevys starting in 47, but what about the 41-46? i am on the hunt for a bunch of stuff right now, are there good "repo" metal fenders out there or are originals still able to be scored at reasonable prices?

Welcome to the Bolt! They don't have a "VIN" number per se, But they should have a plate with a number on it, on the passenger side, under the hood, just ahead of the passenger door.

To answer your question, if there is no data plate available ...there is no other ID # etched, engraved or otherwise available anywhere on your truck. Obviously if you have documentation, title, registration, etc you can get the ID nnumber from them...buy the correct blank data plate and punch the ID# on the plate. If you don't have documentation you can also research the features, look, size, etc. of your truck determine the model & year and buy a real old title from one of a few dealers around and adopt the ID # from that title. Good luck

Will G. to give you a short answer to your question NO!. No after market metal fenders are currently be made. Fiberglass is avail but still in the high price range 300-400 per fender.
Some after market stuff avail beds and smaller pieces bur no major sheetmetal. No year specific for 41-47 first series. Welcome to the bolt. We need pictures!!

I know this has been said a ton because I've posted it many times. Most states used the engine number as the VIN through 55. Your engine number should be on a raised boss behind the distributor. Your "serial number" would be on a data plate.

I will do some research on the truck as soon as i get home, I am currently stationed in Baghdad and wont have a chance to see my truck for another 4-5 months. as far as using the engine number...there is no engine...I submitted a picture to the gallery, it has no posted yet...

Where does one find these title sellers? thanks

Will - Are you around the Sonoita area? Those grasses definitely say S.E. AZ to me.

For anything pre second series 47 you are going to find it more difficult to find parts and mainly the ones regarding sheet metal, etc. Chev's of the 40's , Jim Carter, and various other sources will have some of the parts you are looking for. For original parts, you can find some overpriced ones on Ebay, but like all auctions, beware.

Good luck and welcome to the bolt!

You can find 'em on eBay from time to time.. but be warned.. slapping a number from another title on your truck is highly illegal in most (if not all) states.

Altho, it would be just about impossible for anyone to prove thats what you did.

Find same truck in a junk (collection)yard and take it then the problem in delayed at least.But you can then move ahead.Why fenders those look great, in N.H. any thingthe same shape as a sheet metal part is good.

If your truck is a GMC, the serial number will be stamped on the frame on the passenger side above the front axle. Sorry chevy guys... GMC was way ahead of the game!

Will G...I recently bought an old title from a fellow in Owings Mills, MD...I think I found his name in a VCCA Mag Ad. Unfortunately I've misplaced his name & address (story of my life)...but maybe another Bolter can read this an help.

Will G,

1916 is right on...here in the great white north, those fenders would be in "excellent" condition. Buy a couple of dinging hammers and some dollies and take a run at them. The ones in the picture look like they have some potential left in em.

I am looking forward to "tearing" into it and seeing what it actually needs

I was sorta thinking that alot of it can be redone without replacement, I am not going to order anything for it until i have "title" in my name

will i just went throught all this with my 2 1942 trucks you can get a new vin number from the state but it is a pain in the *** but worth it to hav the title in hand before you start work let me check and see what i can find out for you .you in the service ?

what state did you buy it in and does it have an old tag on it ?

Ok My truck DOES have a plate on it, but it does not match any of the info i have found on the site, are there any "plate de-coding gurus" on here that i can PM this info too?

If your truck has a tag on it that is located here and looks something like this then enter the number here and it'll tell you what you need to know.

If by 'plate' you mean 'license plate'.. a license plate ain't going to tell you jack squat.. but in some states, where the plate stays with the vehicle, it can assist in getting a title or determining who the previous owner was so you can get a title.

well....that didn't pan out, the data plate is from a much newer truck....

pics of the data plate and info on it would help

Hey Will G, cool truck!

You will have to do some investigating to determine the year without a data plate. I found out a lot of information on my red '42 with a 27 year old Montana license plate.
I was able to trace it from Montana, to South Dakota, Nebraska, and eventually Iowa which is where I bought it. I even talked to the person that owned and licensed it 27 years ago. The Montana DMV was able to send me a photo copy of the title when it was licensed in 1980. I think the search cost me about 25 dollars.

Be safe, I hope you get home soon.

John

I've stumbled across '41 thru '46 trucks that were titled as 50's trucks.. and i've seen trucks that were definately '47 thru '50 trucks titled as as late as 1957.

What happens is somebody comes across a data plate and a title and just slaps it on.. the average highway patrol or DMV person isn't going to know the difference between a '40's truck and a '50's truck in most cases. They just check to make sure the number on the title matches a number on the truck, and that the number doesn't come back as stolen.

Will - I just sent you a PM but you can find some pretty good info on page 4 of Jim Carter's 34-46 Virtual Catalog . This page lists the differences between the trucks and also provides more info that will help you out.

About the fenders - I haven't seen any repo metal ones listed anywhere. If I were you I would post in the parts wanted section of the Swap Meet. You might also give Brad\'s \'41-\'46 Chevys a shot as he has an ad up in his parts for sale link: 1940-46 1/2 and 3/4 ton Chevy and GMC, Rear metal fender, passenger side, not great shape but not bent up, needs some repair at running board connection spot ( flat stock to be welded in).....$220.

Give Patrick\'s Antique Cars and Trucks a call. If they don't have any they might know someone who does. You can find their link in the Links section of the 'bolt.

There is a guy out in California who has a warehouse full of NOS parts but I forgot his name and number. I believe I obtained it from Jim Carter.

Take a look at my fender section on "My '41" link below and you'll see that mine were not in the best of shape but are repairable. I personally think you would do better finding a good body guy to patch them up for you.

Good luck and welcome to the 'Bolt

I have a 1946 1/2 ton. My data plate is located on the passenger side under the hood on the cowl.