The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Engine Shop VIN Number on a 54 GMC

I have a 1954 GMC 1/2-ton PU and it is missing the vin ID plate on the door post, does anyone know if the numbers were stamped in the frame?

The chassis id number is only found on the ID plate on the driver's door hingpost.

You can use one of the history companies that advertise in Hemmings to see if they can produce the original chassis id number from early registrations, but in all likelihood you are screwed for coming up with the original number.

I heard a rumor that they stamped the VIN into the frame near the right front suspension mounts starting in '55. I didn't find any such number on mine, so I would guess that was a TF series addition.

Rob, can you verify my VIN deciphering ability? Near as I can tell from your instructions my numbers break down as follows:

25324CZ1508
(25) means 250 series, (3) means 137" wheelbase, (24) means 248 cu.in. engine, (C) is Oakland, (Z) is 1954. Are the last 4 digits production number, and if so, what did they start with in '54? Since this truck has always been registered as '55, I would guess this was built at the end of '54 and sold in '55.

Am I in the ballpark? :confused:

You might want to consider this Ebay item.

Hedge: You are spot on.

They started with 1001 and your truck would be the 508th one ton off the Oakland line in '54.

Thanks, Rob. I don't suppose anyone knows where to find total production numbers for '54? I'm always getting questions about the rarity of the truck, and no basis for an educated guess. I usually just say, "Well, I only have the one..."

You have the only one. No others were ever made. This is the ultimate rare truck.

Ok all the [img]http://www.nedirtbikes.com/forum/smiles/bsflag.gif[/img] aside - hard to say. There are no production numbers available for '54 that I know of. I have TOTAL production for ALL trucks, but not for any particular size style etc.

In general, GMC made 10-15,000 3/4 tons per year in the early and mid 50s from what I can tell. Of those, maybe 2000 were from Oakland and similar amounts from the St. Louis plant.

Assuming that 25% of the trucks survived, 2,000 Oakland trucks become 500 or so that might still be around.

It's an impossible number to develop but this is an "edumacated guess".

Of course, the 1-ton panels that Hedgehog and I have were a much smaller portion of the production run than 1-ton pickups, making them freaks of nature. Mine being the freakier with the Deluxe trim package. Now all we need is a 1-ton GMC Canopy Express with the curved windshield to walk in here.

...and it's just that easy. Another legendary rare truck is born! LOL!

Now I need to make up a list of bogus facts and sell it on Ebay for $100K!