Click on image for the lowdown. 
====
| | |
9 members (Stovebolt48, Cosmo, Uncles51, Hush, mason86, Guitplayer, Otto Skorzeny, Donf, texas46),
70
guests, and
1
robot. | | Key: Admin,
Global Mod,
Mod | | | Forums66 Topics128,022 Posts1,055,384 Members48,422 | | Most Online14,466
Apr 26th, 2026 | | AD Chevy Trucks  Over 6,000 pictures Brad Allen has an awesome collection of Chevrolet factory pictures that he has set up from film strips. Check them out!
Lots of work on Brad's part ... pure enjoyment (and references) for you!
| | THANKS!
For helping keep this great
old truck web site
on the Internet for over 30 years! and not clogged down
with Ads!  Again, thanks!
| | | | Joined: Feb 2008 Posts: 85 Shop Shark | | Shop Shark Joined: Feb 2008 Posts: 85 | Ok Folks... I didn't figure that this was the actual VIN, but it is what is on an insurance card that I found in the truck (Actually that insurance card is where most of my info about the truck has come from so far...) 48 Chev Loadmaster 1.5ton VIN on ins card: FEA19356. Any clues? I tried the VIN decoders, etc.. Data plate is worn clean thus no data there... There is a pic of the ins card in the gallery (Link in sig)
Thanks,
Gator
>|--|~ | | | | | Joined: Jun 2000 Posts: 454 Shop Shark | | Shop Shark Joined: Jun 2000 Posts: 454 | The number on the data plate would look similar to 21RJK10020. A one or two digit factory code, RJ for a 137" wheelbase, RK for a 161" wheelbase, a single letter production month (A=Jan, etc.) and a 5 digit production number. What number is on the title?
Jeff Nelson
"Beer is proof that God loves us and wants us to be happy." - Benjamin Franklin
"Always do right. This will gratify some people and astonish the rest." - Mark Twain
| | | | | Joined: May 2001 Posts: 7,438 Extreme Gabster | | Extreme Gabster Joined: May 2001 Posts: 7,438 | This has been answered hundreds of times. It is one of the most commonly asked questions.
Most states, Texas included, titled vehicles by the engine number until 1955 or '56. FEA19356 is consistent with an engine number. | | | | | Joined: Sep 2001 Posts: 29,269 Bubba - Curmudgeon | | Bubba - Curmudgeon Joined: Sep 2001 Posts: 29,269 | | | | | | Joined: Feb 2008 Posts: 85 Shop Shark | | Shop Shark Joined: Feb 2008 Posts: 85 | Yes, as far as I can tell it is a 1948 and it does have a 235 in it. Unfortunately I cannot get any info off of the data plate, the only info is what is on that insurance card. Wen I get a chance I will find the numbers on the motor and see if I can get any further with that. Unfortunately I do not have a whole lot of time to dedicate to this project. I am probably 10 years out on anything even resembling complete!
Thanks,
Gator
>|--|~ | | | | | Joined: Sep 2001 Posts: 29,269 Bubba - Curmudgeon | | Bubba - Curmudgeon Joined: Sep 2001 Posts: 29,269 | Gator,
That code, FEA19356, is for a 1948 235 engine. If you find that code pressed into the block in the ledge just to the rear of where the distributor enters the block, then you (1) most likely have the original engine, and (2) the engine ID (serial number) was used as the VIN for registration purposes (as stated above by Cletis).
Most "VIN" decoders provide information for the code found on the body VID plate (the code such as the one given above by Jeff). Some states use the body-VID code as the VIN code for registration purposes. Some states, like New York, will now use either code for registration of pre-1972 vehicles, as long as taxes are paid.
Tim
| | | | | Joined: Feb 2008 Posts: 85 Shop Shark | | Shop Shark Joined: Feb 2008 Posts: 85 | Cool, thanks! I have now learned one more new thing today...! Is there any way to find all the data that was on the data plate? Or is that basically lost in time...
Laterz,
Gator
>|--|~ | | |
|
|
