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Mod | | | Forums66 Topics128,164 Posts1,056,983 Members48,458 | | 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!
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on the Internet for over 30 years! and not clogged down with Ads! Again, thanks! | | | | Joined: Apr 2008 Posts: 12 New Guy | | New Guy Joined: Apr 2008 Posts: 12 | any help would be apprectiated. i have been told its a 47. it is the 42-46 body style. there is lead on the bottom of the front window pillars. it has a rubber filler neck seal. head liner has been removed, so i cnat tell you what it is. straight 6 motor. only one wiper on the drivers side, no passenger. there is a possible vin tag about 4 by 6 inches on the pass side of the cowl, very hard to read.
-james | | | | | Joined: Dec 2001 Posts: 14,522 Moderator: Welcome Centre, Southern Bolters, Legion Hall | | Moderator: Welcome Centre, Southern Bolters, Legion Hall Joined: Dec 2001 Posts: 14,522 | Probably will need the Vin #'s if at all possible to make them out. What does the title say??
Even though the body style is 42-46 there is some "early 47's" that look like the 46 but are called 47.1 (47first) Its the same with th 55.1 that looks like the 54!
Hang on. Someone will give you and "official" confirmation soon. In the meantime try to make out those #'s and post them here.
Last edited by Achipmunk; 06/09/2008 8:28 PM.
| | | | | Joined: Apr 2008 Posts: 12 New Guy | | New Guy Joined: Apr 2008 Posts: 12 | all i can make out on the "vin" plate is the word chevrolet 4600lbs model 5BK01
there is other writing, but it is unreadable. ill post the piv of the vin in a few mins.
| | | | | Joined: Apr 2008 Posts: 12 New Guy | | New Guy Joined: Apr 2008 Posts: 12 | pic 1 pic 2 pic 3 i forgot to take pics of the lead attaching the bottom front window a pillars to the cowl. thanks for any help figuring this out. i want to be armed with some ammo for the dmv when its titling time. oh by the way there is no title now
Last edited by cletis; 06/09/2008 9:56 PM. Reason: Image changed to link
| | | | | Joined: Dec 2001 Posts: 14,522 Moderator: Welcome Centre, Southern Bolters, Legion Hall | | Moderator: Welcome Centre, Southern Bolters, Legion Hall Joined: Dec 2001 Posts: 14,522 | its definitely the 46 body style. My guess is that its an early 1947. Hang tight other opinions will come. | | | | | Joined: May 2006 Posts: 8,351 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: May 2006 Posts: 8,351 | The plate that you've posted a pic of is the GVW and model ID plate, not the vin plate. The vin plate will be on the driver's side door lock pillar, and will have a 10-11 digit (depending on assembly plant) number stamped on it, it should llok like this-3EPH199432- and have the Chevrolet name stamped over it. Just from the pix you posted, it looks like an early First Series '47, and either has had the engine overhauled or replaced judging from the color (Chevy Red, should be Blue-Grey) One more thing, it is preferred that you link in your pix rather than posting them direct. It takes much less bandwidth that way, and also helps out members who arent on broadband or hi-speed to see your pix.
Bill Burmeister | | | | | Joined: Mar 2000 Posts: 784 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Mar 2000 Posts: 784 | Well it is definately a 46-47.1. These trucks didn't come with a vin number per-sey. The number stamped into your ID plate will give you the information you seek. I don't have my chevy decoder book(the chevy restoration manual) with me right now so I'm not much help with that. One thing you do want to do is keep track of those screws that hold on that ID plate. Those are the only ones like it on your truck and are just for the ID plate. You can get a repro plate and stamp your numbers in it. Check the links for the restoration manual from Chevrolet. It's free! Good luck George | | | | | Joined: Apr 2008 Posts: 12 New Guy | | New Guy Joined: Apr 2008 Posts: 12 | i checked the floor, the door pillars, any where around the cab and could not find any other "vin" plates. i could not see any other numbers, markings, or anything to that nature on the truck. i am really not too concerned with the year, just tryin to find some information, so when i take it to the motor vehicle dept. i have some information for them. i just want to get it titled, before i start any work to it.
thanks for the help | | | | | Joined: Dec 2002 Posts: 2,549 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Dec 2002 Posts: 2,549 | "5BK" decifers to, 5= Kansas City Assembly Plant, BK= 1942 115"in. wheelbase 1/2 ton truck. | | | | | Joined: Dec 2007 Posts: 1,403 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Dec 2007 Posts: 1,403 | Spanky, I ran it through the site's vin buster and it said it could be a 1942, 1944, or a 1945. | | | | | Joined: Oct 2004 Posts: 1,780 Master Gabster | | Master Gabster Joined: Oct 2004 Posts: 1,780 | i checked the floor, the door pillars, any where around the cab and could not find any other "vin" plates. i could not see any other numbers, markings, or anything to that nature on the truck. i am really not too concerned with the year, just tryin to find some information, so when i take it to the motor vehicle dept. i have some information for them. i just want to get it titled, before i start any work to it.
thanks for the help I am going to guess that you are going to make a rat rod out of this cab, if so then the year does not matter as you said. For the purpose of the DMV the body is a 1941-1947. It can be either a Chevrolet or GMC. These trucks did not come with "VIN NUMBERS" that came later. Many trucks of this era were titled with the engine number found on the block. The body tag had information on it that revealed that it is a 1942 - 45 Chevrolet. Get the information from the VIN CRUNCHER found on this site and take it to the DMV. You may want to come with a few pictures of these years that can be found in the Gallery for additional identification. | | | | | Joined: Dec 2002 Posts: 2,549 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Dec 2002 Posts: 2,549 | Since it has a chrome grille, i'd say it's more than likely a '42. 1943, '44, & 45 were the "blackout" years(no chrome), of War Time, when sales to the public, were limited, & restricted. | | | | | Joined: Dec 2007 Posts: 1,403 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Dec 2007 Posts: 1,403 | Well, now it's narrowed down to a '42 or a '47. Two different opinions. | | | | | Joined: Oct 2004 Posts: 1,780 Master Gabster | | Master Gabster Joined: Oct 2004 Posts: 1,780 | Well, now it's narrowed down to a '42 or a '47. Two different opinions. Not really, it's narrowed down to 3 years 1942 1944 1945 and depending on if it has the original parts, as spanky says, it's a 1942. But all that aside, I don't think it matters, he does not have a title and want's to go to DMV prepared to defend a year so that it can be registered. The body itself can pass for a 1941 - 47 depending on what headlight/parking lights or doors he puts on it. Here's the VIN BUSTER Type in the numbers that came off of the TAG and see the results. Unless this is not the original tag, I would say that it is a 1942/45 truck. | | | | | Joined: Dec 2007 Posts: 1,403 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Dec 2007 Posts: 1,403 | Only reason I said that was because it seemed that two or three people say that it is a '47 and two or three say that it is a '42. | | | | | Joined: Apr 2008 Posts: 12 New Guy | | New Guy Joined: Apr 2008 Posts: 12 | (Moderator deleted reference to a parts request.) and thanks for the help for tryin to id the year.
i am only using the cab of this truck, the hood, fenders, headlights, chassis, running boards are of no use to me. any one want or need any parts from this speak up.
-james
Last edited by cletis; 06/11/2008 10:58 PM.
| | | | | Joined: May 2001 Posts: 7,438 Extreme Gabster | | Extreme Gabster Joined: May 2001 Posts: 7,438 | Please take your parts requests to "Truck Parts Wanted". Parts requests may also be made by PM. I have deleted parts requests from this thread. | | | | | Joined: Mar 2008 Posts: 61 Wrench Fetcher | | Wrench Fetcher Joined: Mar 2008 Posts: 61 | Can't imagine the AZ DMV doing anything osther than making you wait in line.
Bill S. Tempe, AZ
| | | | | Joined: May 2008 Posts: 142 Wrench Fetcher | | Wrench Fetcher Joined: May 2008 Posts: 142 | I vote with Spanky. Per the "Master Parts Catalog" for Chevrolet Genuine Parts 1929-1950 Effective April 1, 1950, car model serial identification page 5, Year 1942, clearly in print has the prefix "BK" as follows: 115" Wheelbase, Commercial 1/2 Ton Truck. In addition, per the 1942 Chevrolet Truck Operator’s Manual Page 3 it states the following: Light delivery and Medium Series “BK” 115”. Page 5 states the following: Identification Numbers. The serial number, on all conventional models, is stamped on a plate which is attached to the right side of the cowl and is visible when the bonnet is lifted. No doubt the ID tag is a 1942. As for the rest of the truck, well, cant say without further ado. However if the cab has any original glass, it could have a date code of 1941, as production of 42 was released in June of 41, or glass dated 42 if produced later in 42. Many ways to dig, radiator has a date code engine side, casting on engine block, casting on transmission, intake, etc.
As for if it is a 1945, (1946 1st design) I vote no. I have noticed that after/mid 42, the “trucks” were produced with plastic covered steel shank interior window cranks and interior door handles. When I came across them used in truck (It Ran When it was Parked) they have all been weathered and cracked. The interior door lock “T“, drivers side is also rose tan plastic. The exterior door handles are made of a lighter metal, are painted, not chrome and also shaped in a more of a crescent figure. Appear to not be cast, but wrapped with stamped grooves for grip. Same for handles & knobs for the GMC’s in the “CC” Models that I have had the pleasure of.
James, good luck on your rod/restoration. My take is to title as a 1942, this was a great year, low production (Dec 7, 1941) (rare, very rare) raising value and pride!
| | | | | Joined: Mar 2001 Posts: 629 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Mar 2001 Posts: 629 | plastic covered steel shank interior window cranks and interior door handles......The interior door lock “T“, drivers side is also rose tan plastic. ???? Got any photos of this... this is the first i have heard of this................ 
Last edited by Sheridan; 07/07/2008 3:56 AM.
Tim Sheridan 1947 First Series Chevy 1/2-Ton"Liberty Series" - "Art Deco" - Whatever you'd like to call it. In the Gallery | | |
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