The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area General Truck Talk decoding numbers

I figured out why my 58 truck says 57 on the registration.
It was the 58th truck built in 1958.
It is either a typo or it came so early to the dealer that the RMV deemed it a 57
Strange?

vehicles back then were titled as the calender year of first registration, not the model year, which started the previous fall - no doubt the truck was first sold in 57 .... funny, I had a 57 panel that was registered as a 58 - it was a special order not delivered until Jan 58

do you know about the 'resto-pak' available from GM? might be able to find where/when your truck was first sold as I did

Bill

Lindsay, how do you know it was the 58th built?
I had a 55 back in 1963 and according to a GM engineer friend of mine, back then the first few cars they built in every model year, were just junk. They had to mock up the first 8 or 10 cars before everything would fit. After car number 10 or so they were put together very well with much more attention to detail (every bolt tight). This went on until GM was satisfied with the quality, probably 15th car or so but, they still continued to hand build; I'm not sure for how long.
Car number one was given to the GM president who gave it to the Smithsonian.
My 55 according to the VIN number was the 18th built and I could drive any bumpy road with no rattles. It was really tight.

BigChevy - the vin number includes the production sequence number

Bill

Hey guys,
On a related subject, were the only vin numbers located on the engine ?
I have a '53 6400 that I'm having a real hard time trying to get a title for.
After much run around, it appears I need proof of the last registration or titlement.
Since the motor was changed 2 owners ago, AM I SCREWED ?
With no Vin to track, & the lack of old records (prob last registered in the '80's) where do I go?
Rick.

Rick,

The registration "VIN" for a 1953 truck could be the engine serial number (more common) or the VID plate in the driver's side door opening between the hinges (less common). It seems to depend on the policies/laws in your state.

You might want to search on "VIN" or "registration" or "title" because this topic has been discussed many times.

Your best bet is to see if Florida has a DMV website. Read the information on how to register a vehicle, especially how to register an antique vehicle.

Maybe someone will reply who has registered an old vehicle in Florida and was in your situation. What other people might post about how it works in their state will not be of much help. I have been in your situation in New York and it was quite easy registering a vehicle older than 1972 without a good title or VIN.

Tim

the serial number ends in 00058.
I decoded the number this morning to make sure it was really a 58 model. I thought maybe I had a 57 with 58 sheet meet that is when I noticed the serial number.
I took the box apart and took it to the sandblasters today Hopefully it will be back next week.

Lindsay - the 58 front wouldn't work on a 57, the 58 frames are a couple inches longer at the front because of the splash pan behind the bumper

Bill

Thanks for the info tim.
Much appreciated.