The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Engine Shop ??? on VIN number

I just got the pink on my 53 Chevy 3100 and the vin on the pink slip does not mach the vin on the door is there some vin number on the frame that may match the number I have. I do not have the motor that was original to the truck so any number there are no use. Thanks Ed ke6bnl So.Calif.

Ed - Frequent question here on the SB forums.

It's unusual that a California truck would have the driver's door hingepost ID plate still in tact.

The number in CA is typically the engine number of the truck when originally titled in CA, so it might have been the number off the original 216 or ??

In either case, you would be well advised to approach DMV to CORRECT the number on the title when you retitle the truck. Explain that the VIN number is to an engine that is no longer in the truck but that the original chassis ID plate and number are there and would be more correct. Since it's original, it's not a change rather a correction. Be sure to phrase this as a correcting a mistake, and not "changing" the number as there is a distinct difference for obvious reasons.

OldCarKook, Thanks for the rapid response I do appreciate it. My boys 70 chevy had one number off and we were able to get it taken care of easily. I will use your advise and phrase it as you said to get it correct. Now that you mention it the guy I bought the truck from had the original motor all the years he had it and it still had the 6 volt battery under the floor. This happen to be a friend from work which makes things much easier. My boys truck was a mess of owners and would have been difficult to get to the original owner or last registered owner. This fellow for my truck had it in the family for some 14 years. So I think it will all work out. Thanks Ed ke6bnl So. Calif.

Hi Ed , fancy meeting you here ! after work there in Burbank hop on the 210 fwy east & get off on Myrtle , go south several miles to Tony's D.M.V. service , just south of Live Oak , they'll do it for you for $35.00 or so .

I don't know about ' most Cal. trucks missing thr I.D. plates ' - some kind of East Coast rumor I'd guess . I work on sh*tloads of old trucks and nearly _every_one_ still has the original plate there underneath the metallic spray paint .