The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Paint and Body Shop ID Plates

Question for the leagal dept. or anyone else that may know. My truck came without and ID plate on the door jam. If I find a wrecked truck is it OK to use the ID plate on my truck. My truck is reg. and I have the title or bill of sale. I just would like to put the paint colors and ect on the tag. As always, thanks for any help. Steven

Depends on which plate you mean. If you mean the plate with the serail number on it, the answer is no, as that amounts to a falsified vin. If you just mean the data plate that's riveted to the door jamb, then yes, you can replace that no problem. No need to pull one from a wrecked trck, those are redily available in the aftermarket.

If Steven is referring to a 1949 truck, which factory plate would be on that truck other than the plate riveted to the door jamb?

That's the one I'm talking about. My truck did not have one when I got it. It was reg. with some other number. Not the engine number. I can see where the two holes are that held the tag but, no VIN plate. To make this simple, I know the original color, I have the 216 engine, original but was wondering if I could just get another junked "49" VIN plate and use it. Probably can't but thought someone my know how I could. Legal like. Thanks again, Steven

The only thing on the plate is the GVW and the serial number no paint codes or other information is on the plate see picture for how one looks.

http://good-times.webshots.com/photo/2158606000102454676KaGrBJ

Where is the VIN # located on these trucks? My truck has been in our family for nearly 40 years, so I have never had to look before. Just wondering.

Red 49

after market ID plate

You could stamp the vin # from your reg/and title on that plate and place in drivers door jam.

As stated above no paint or engine info is on the plate.

On my 50 the door jam s/n is my vin. Other states used engine numbers.


door post id plate

If you had your original s/n you could get some history on your truck. I know my truck was built in Oakland California In January of 1950

http://www.chevytrucks.org/resources/ad_vin_id.htm

Good luck

I have a 55 2nd, besides vin plate on door jam the vin number is stamped into frame on drivers side top of rail near stearing gear box. this is some what covered by inner fender and more than likely covered with greese and dirt, I did not find untill resto. I would look to see if your truck has the same stamp in the frame and would not use any other plate. I saw a show were an auction was stop because cars had new vin plates or plates that were pop rivited in.

It's my recollection that GM didn't start stamping ID numbers on the frames until 1955. My '55 210 has one in the same location as
Dan's '55 truck.

My problem is getting the paint off of this plate. It was painted over, it appears several times. I just don't want to damage the writing on the plate itself. Thinking of soaking it in vinegar or something to break up the paint.

Any ideas?

Looks like spray paint was used

My plate was painted over also.
You can see it in this pic Drivers door jam painter over.

I was able to take the paint off with a razor blade ID plate pic After the razor blade I cleaned it with some thinner and a rag

The original plate is silk screened I think.

Only a little bit of the edges came off.
The S/N is stamped on the plate.

Good Luck

Mine was spray painted over also. I used a buffing wheel mounted on a drill. It stripped the spray paint and left ID plate paint. It came out OK. The paint is worn but very readable.

Wow, that is awesome. I thought it would ruin the plate. I will try this first thing tomorrow morning. Thanks guys

Thought I may join in. Regarding the vin plate on the door jam, what if you swap cabs? Can you not substitute the vin plate to match the frame stamp?
Thanks.

There is no frame stamp. That plate on the door jamb is all you get, and there are way too many of them that have been put on the wrong trucks already.

Sorry FriedGreen Tmater. I have a 58'. SN stamped on
frame near steering box. So, would it be acceptable
to transfer the door jamb plate if you swap cabs?

True, your 59 has a frame stamp, but the subject of this thread is a 1949. It is my opinion that it is NOT acceptable to remove, move, modify or alter the data plate.

EDIT: It's the same thing as filing the serial number off a midnight special.

Good and bad news..

Good = I was able to remove enough paint to see the stamped #'s. Stamped #'s on the plate match my tittle

Bad news = When removing the paint build up, the rest of the paint went with it. So basically I have a stripped plate with stamped numbers.

Guess I will need to purchase a replacement and have the ID numbers stamped. Where can I get that done at?

Call some machine shops in your area or a buddy who works in one.

Or do it your self

be careful how you attach to the door pillar, The guy at my DMV freaked out when he saw my plate was attached with screws.

Good Luck

You got that right;
He had to call an older Worker from the inspection section. My s/n plate is attached with Philips head screws. It’s been that way since my Dad bought the truck in 1973 anyways. After a little bit of discussion with the older guy he signed off on my VIN inspection.

But I have read storied on this forum of problems with the inspection in some states. Especially when they see them held on with modern pop rivets

To be honest, I was alittle shocked myself to find out that was all that was used to identify my truck. Thinking about getting the stamp kit listed so I can stamp the frame and various sheet metal as well.

Not to thread jack, but I have a smilar problem. I bought a 1950 suburban& the vin tag was handed to me along with a bill of sale. I have to take the vehicle in for a vin tag verification, so the HWY patrol can verify frame& body tag match, if they don't, they will keep the burban. Is there a frame number some where? I am worried I will lose the burban. Took me years to find one. Guy told me he removed it to do the body work.

fabguy, frame numbers were used starting with the TF series - might do as suggested and stamp the frame yourself

Bill

Found out where it goes, has the old factory screws still there& they line up to the holes on the tag although which way do they face, reading from outside door or reading from interior.?

Wow, I opened up a can of worms. I know the answer now. Get a new plate and stamp the numbers on it my self. I also liked the idea of stamping the frame. Down here in Mississippi we weld our initials under the tralier somewhere in case some low-life steals it. Nobody knows but me! Thanks again "brothers." Steven

I had a friend who bought a trailer from a guy at a construction site who was contracted from out of town. He said it was not worth it for him to drive the trailer back home so he was going to sell it. It was a well built trailer. My friend bought it. Later he was at a gas station with the trailer and he notices a guy snooping around his truck and trailer. My friend leaves the station as is pulled over and arrested for stealing this trailer. the guy that was snooping around at the gas station had welded his social security number to the bottom of the trailer. the friend of mine does not get in trouble but looses the trailer, this stuff only seems to happen to him.

I assume the social security number guy had a police report on the theft and was not related to the officer

haha... prob something like that.

I know this post is old but a guy I know just bought a 54 (with a title) but the plate is missing. If he were to buy a plate and restamp it is there anything special about the stamps (special font or serifs, etc) or will a set from harbor freight "pass the test" so to speak.

J

mendonjo,Hello from Ohio. I am in the same the same situation.Thought I would share my experience with you. It is mostly time consuming,and it all depends on how the BMV in each state operates,in these situations.I was told by our BMV,here in Ohio,that it is a felony to put your ID plate,on yourself.So I went the way our,BMV here in Ohio,told me to go.It is time consuming,but every situation is different according to which state that is involved. Thanks

Hi mendonjo,this was my experiance with my 49. I bought my truck almost a year ago and it also had no tag/plate by the inner door pillar. I towed it to a CHP station and it was inspected.When it was all done the CHP inspector assigned it a new plate/number AND rivited a tag on the door pillar.I thought i was done but when i took the paperwork to the DMV they said my truck needed a weight certificate.Well here i go again.......towed my truck to a local certified weight station and got my cert. Back to the DMV and this time i got my plates and tags.One thing i noticed on my registration was the placement of my new tag.It says WHERE it was rivited by the inspector. Just my experiance hope this helps....and yes it is very time consuming,i did not touch my truck untill it was all legal.....i was afraid they were going to take it away.....it took 2 months and staring at it in my garage killed me!!!!

BTW this IS in California

1949 Chevy 1/2 ton 250I6 TH350

Hello,mendonjo,again,thought I would give you an update,on getting the ID plate back on my 51 Chevy. I just received the paper work back from the BMV here in Ohio,about 3hrs,after my first post this morning.Which authorizes the OHP,to rivet the ID plate,on to my door post. They authorized,a new title,and had to re-register,my vehicle. Not trying to discourage you,but I would check with your local Bureau of Motor Vehicles,in Tennessee,there. But that is your decision, Good Luck,Best Regards

Wouldn't it be a heck of a lot easier to buy a plate, stamp the numbers, and rivet it on? The title is already taken care of.

At least in the antique motorcycle world (I am a veteran there) nobody wants a "restamped by the DMV" anything.

Z71, I re read your post. If they are going to reattach your plate with the original numbers you are in great shape.

mendonjo,I am waiting to get a call from the OHP,they are waiting on the plate,that was authorized by BMV headquarters to allow the ID plate,to be riveted to the vehicle. It has been a paper chase,for sure.I don't know exactly what will take place,but at least I will be legal,if I ever try to sell the truck. Thanks for your input, I hope i have been some help.Have a great weekend.