The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area General Truck Talk What year is it Really?

Hi everyone! I am still trying to figure out what year my truck is. The title says 1952 but the Chevy Restoration gal says it's a 1955. Mike from Vancouver BC thought it was quite a conglomeration of parts. It looks like an original but the deeper I go into research I seem to find all kinds of differences. I will send pics if someone is kind enough to guide me through attachment process. It's in the Gallery under Mitch and Cindy's 1952 Ol Yeller. Thanks Mike!

Hy tangovino, Could you post the numbers in question, all the clues to it being a 52-53 seem to be there to me. Angled top on the box, vent windows, push button door handles, split windshield, post the numbers and someone will decifer them, hope that helps.

Thanks 3B!
The data plate on the door reads: H53K035381
The VIN reads: 20KPJ6118
I know we have a 235 engine but the front fenders have yellow lights under the headlights in addition to the clear lights in the grill. Someone has said they looked like GMC fenders. I mailed Mike from BC interior shots to further help in this archeological exercise.

Using the two of the Stovebolt VIN decoders, the VIN translates to a 10/52 build date, made in sunny Los Angeles (Van Nuys.)

You might have an assortment of other year parts on it, but typically the VIN trumps all. Since you're titled as a '52, and the VIN shows a '52, I would call it a '52 regardless of the pedigree of the rest of the truck.

Bill

if GM told you either of those numbers are for a 55, they're blowin smoke .... it's a 52 by one number, a 53 by the other, a 55 year old truck with who knows how many previous owners making who knows what changes to keep it on the road, and changing things like the "yellow lights" to keep up with changing DMV regs ....

the fact that you have a different vin number on the title than the one on the door plate is all that would concern me - means either someone has replaced the cab, or someone has found a title of a close year for a lost one, and also means if the man checks the title against the plate you might be in trouble!!

Bill

I didn't see where he said the title was different than the door plate. The title would most likely not show the body serial number unless it was retitled to show that instead of the engine serial number, as was done in most states. In California, at that time, the title only showed the year first sold, not the model year. The truck could have been first sold in 1952 with that build date, and would have been registered as a 1952. It would not be worth the trouble to have it retitled as a 1953 if that is the case.

tangovino wrote:
The data plate on the door reads: H53K035381
The VIN reads: 20KPJ6118
No where on a 52 or 53 Chevy is a number that's labeled VIN. The body serial number is the only correct VIN. I know, I know most states used the engine # as the VIN until the late 50's. But neither number is a valid engine number. The H53 is a 53 1/2 ton serial/vin and the 20KP is a 52 1/2 ton serial/vin. I think red58 has hit on something.
Hey tangovino - does the title have 20KP... as the VIN? Either way the door tag correctly ID's the truck as a 53. Of course a lot can/does happen in 54-55 years.

I'd expect that what he means by "The VIN reads: 20KPJ6118" is the number that's on the title, as opposed to the number he says is on the door ... it is the case vehicles were titled by year of first sale, but he isn't saying the title calls it a year, just cites an "ID number" [VIN, which is what the line on the title would be headed], and the number on the door plate would still be the number put on the title, which doesn't seem to be the case

I'm bettin changed cab or phoney title, trouble anyway .... unless you paint over the door plate

Bill

Does the hood side emblem look like this (1952):

[img]http://72.228.53.69/A-D_LCVA/images/49-52-chev-side-emblem.JPG[/img]

Or, does it look like this (1953):

[img]http://72.228.53.69/A-D_LCVA/images/1953-54-side-emblem.JPG[/img]

Of course, this only identifies what year's emblem is on the hood. The hood and/or emblem might have been changed over the years.

Sorry, I missed where he gave the VIN. I said I didn't see, but it was because I didn't look well enough.

So, what is the prognosis?

Well looking at the photos above the hood emblem is the 3100 (53). Many of the specs point to 1952. At this point the wife and I are just happy we have a nice truck and it is running and it gives me a chance to relive an era my father existed in. 1952/53 can be sorta catchy. Keep 'em guessing. All I know is that it is a great piece of history and we are having a blast fixin' her up. Thanks everyone for your efforts. Pictures are on the way.

After extensive research and deep thought, I can confidently say your truck is a 1989 Izuzu.

At first I thought it was a 1947 Mobely Tri-Dog but alas no; I'm am satisfied with our '52/'53 old yellow Chevy 1/2 ton pickup.

what year is it?...last time i checked on the calendar,it said 2007...lol..Just kidding...