The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area General Truck Talk Help with VIN ...

Just got this email from one of our Bolters who hasn't had his registration approved yet, but needs your help.

Just purchased (from original owner) what is titled as a 1942 Chevy pickup. VIN # ABF45145 I can’t seem to find any info on the actual year for this truck or what it is. I tried the VIN decoder, but no luck. There are no numbers before the ABF on the title. I have not been able to get at the vehicle to check data plates.

Any Idea on this Vin #??

Thanks,
Kenny

His registration should be approved when Paul gets a break. But he'll check here for your responses / questions. Thanks ~ Peg

Kenny,

Try the links section.. you are looking for Brad's 41-46 pages in the trucks section..There is a section on Brad's site about VINS for our trucks. Also check the post on here for a VIN question on a 45. I posted the link to the page on that post. 42s and 45s are numbered the same. The A is what is throwing you off.

http://www.brads41-46chevys.com/id14.html

Ok I must be completely lost. I looked at the VIn site and even tried the Vin Buster. I could not locate any combination of ABF for the first part of any of the Vin #'s.

ABF45145 Can anyone help?

Good to be here. I will get pictures as soon as I remove the truck from the tree.......

I just bought my 42 1/2ton, title says GCM17687, I can't find any information either, if you find something, please let me know. Thanks cdroberts

http://chevy.tocmp.com/1929_57chevyparts/57cmpc0008.htm

Did you look here, its not much, but may help. Joe

That number will probably be on the engine instead of the data plate. Look on the boss behind the distributor. You may have to scrape off some grease. The data plate will have your serial number which usually was not the VIN until 1956.

Just a thought, my '42 has the original 216 engine with same number of characters as your (VIN). I too, think that your title number may reflect the engine serial number that is normally found right behind the distributor.

It's very possible after all these years, that your truck might even have a different engine. The first three digits on my engine are BF4, I suggest that you look carefully at your ID tag on the cowl. I had to use a magnifying glass, and even rubbed a bar of soap on another to get the numbers right. Sometimes a flashlight shined at an angle can make numbers and letters more readable.

Good Luck

John

not sure about the 42 but the id number on 37s is also stamped on passenger frame rail just over the front axle/ leaf spring .i had to wire brush my frame to be able to read the numbers there. the PO IN my case used a id number off the motor and not the real id number for some reason.
if anyone has a copy of a 1937 Branhams automoblie referance book
you may find a better explaination there it will tell you how many were made cost what models there were etc. hope that helps Earl

Most states used the engine number through 55. States using the serial number were the exception rather than the rule. The hassle of re-titling after an engine change is probably the main reason the practice was stopped.

GMC1937, that must be a GMC thing, being stamped on the frame, Chevrolet didn't start that till 1955. My '37 didn't have any numbers except the cowl tag. The title showed the engine ID number but wasn't anything close to the cowl tag number. I always thought they used engine ID's on the title, that would explain the VIN not matching any of the web based VIN decoders. Joe

Yep, that was a GMC only thing.