The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area General Truck Talk Is a truck built in Sept 1945 a '45 or '46?

I want some input from the Stovebolt community on this one...

I have an art deco Chevy with a cowl tag that reads 3CK09-1779. I know that this translates to the 779th truck off the line in St. Louis built in September 1945. This truck has been in the family since new and the title reads 1945.

So, I have restored the truck and have taken it to a few car shows over the past year. Without fail, at least once per show, I get some guy who wants to argue with me that "there's no such thing as a '45!" I explain when it was built and what the title says, but that doesn't make them any happier.

I have done a lot of research on this topic. I have the book" Chevrolet Pickup Color History" which states, "Chevrolet resumed full-scale civilian truck production on August 20th, 1945, just six days after the surrender of Japan."

I have seen some places consider these "interum '46" trucks. I understand the theory behind this, but they still call early '47's '47's even though they have the '46 body style. How is this any different?

I call it a '45 and get nothing but greif at car shows. Sometime I think it is because I'm relatively young (33 yrs old) and these old-timers don't think I know what I'm talking about.

So what do you guys think. Am I wrong for calling it a '45?

Seems to me if you can show it came off line in 45 then you should be able to describe it as a 45.

The argument over 45 or 46 is just based on Detroit and marketing. Let them that worry about that trivia do the worrying for you.

Dan Bentler

Usually, a vehicle with a September build date is considered the next years model, in this case, a '46. But some state registered them by the year sold, rather than the model year, which has lead to some confusion, especially when there were definite technical or cosmetic differences between years.
Another issue, especially with the Wartime production, is during the '42-'45 period, GM listed them as '42 models, rather than the actual production year (this information varies by source).
They way I see it, it has a '45 build date, a '45 title, then it's a '45 in my book.

45

An explaination of the Early '47 and late '47. The Advance Design '47s didn't come out until May 1rst of '47, the early '47s with the carryover styling are still considered "47s" since GM did sell tham as such. It's not the only time GM has done this, they did it several times during the 20s, as well as 1955, 1987, '99, and as recent as 2007.

Thanks for the input so far...

I have read that war time production was built under the '42 code of "BK" through '45. From what I understand, however, "CK" was started immediately after the war ended in September of 1945. Does anyone know how long the "CK" production code went till? It is my understanding early 1946's where "CK" as well.

Mark,
I have an original magazine ad that is dated 1945 and the ad states that 1945 models are now available on a limited basis. This ad is on the wall of my shop (over 100 miles away) where my '42 resides. This is a color ad and the pictured truck looks just like mine, green with black fenders. I will be up there later this week and can add some more detail about what the ad says. My view is that people who state there is no such thing as a 1945 model are just in error. Maybe I could scan it and send you a copy, it would go well with your truck and then you can educate those who doubt you.

Kent

Kent,

That would be great! I don't beleive I've seen that one. I have been watching a couple sales brouchures used at dealerships on ebay that are titled "1945 Chevrolet 115 Inch Wheelbase Light Delivery Pickup Truck". I need to buy one of these, but they are pricey!

Thanks,
Mark

When I had my '45, I've run into that alot at car show and every where else. There's subtle differences between a '45 and a '46. On mine it had an unground weld on each A-piller to cab connection (46's were ground clean), leather grommet on the gas inlet ('46 had rubber), 6 bed boards ('46 had 7 bed boards), 3 bolts above the bed holding on the rear fenders. I've recently sold my '45 though and I really miss that truck.

CK's are considered '46 models. And if the truck is one of the first 1000, that just adds to the case. The military used trucks from Dodge, Chevrolet, Ford and Studebaker during the war and there are 1944 and 1945 models out there from all four.

In this case, you have an early '46 that was titled as a '45 due to the sale date. Some states even titled vehicles using engine numbers instead of the serial number. Every state was different and nothing was standardized. Many of these odd rules carried on into the 1960's until serial number locations were federally standardized.

My truck seemed to be a hybrid when it comes to early and late 41-46's. My truck was completely a black out model. No chrome. All the door handles inside and out were plastic. Window posts were not ground off. However, it did also have 7 bed slats and 5 bolts above the floor in the fenders.

Sometimes it's just easier to say it's a '46 just so I don't have to argue with people. I always find it amaizing that people feel the need to try and correct me, like I haven't done my research on MY TRUCK! I can't imagine walking up to someone at a car show and telling someone they don't know about their vehicle.

Oh well. I'm gonna have some printed documents with me from now on stating that civilian production restarted fully on August 20th, 1945 and let people decided what they want from there.

Swifster, Yes, here in Nebraska, they did use engine block numbers on my title.

Keep in mind starting production didn't mean that there still weren't restrictions and rationing. The War Resources Board held control over all materials vital to the war effort. The Japanese did not formally surrender until September 2, 1945. Chromium would have been one of those restricted materials.

Most trucks in '45 and early '46 WERE hybrids. Trucks were the first vehicles allowed into production for civilian use. Most cars weren't permitted back into production forvarious reasons, including plant conversion, until between October of '45 and January of '46.

Having been involved in Studebakers, I can tell you there were many running changes between the extremely few '45 models and the end of 1946. Studebaker did have seperate model numbers for '45 models

You have to look at the times. There were no absolutes except what was put on a serial number or build plate. Most military vehicles had there own serial & model numbers. The production numbers on these trucks were limited to hundreds. The engine numbers for your truck should start with BG1001 or BL1001, depending on the engine plant.

Everyone wants a '42 or a '45 model. Easier to find a '42.

One thing about old cars. Just like anything else, if it walks like a duck and quacks like a duck...Missouri also used the date of sale for the year on the title. It was reasonably common.

If you don't want to here from others about the truck being a '46, I would suggest call GM. From this website...

GM Resto Pak

Don't get me wrong. I'm not out to prove to everyone it's a '45. That's why I'm asking the group. Just curious if my fellow stovebolters out there owned the truck, what they'd put on the window sticker when you go to car shows...

Moroney stickers were not used until 1958. If just for information, I'd say it's a 1946 but give and short explanation that states titled cars in various ways.

Pretty much as it is today.The new vehicles are brought out in Sept.,or Oct. of the previous year.And they are titled as the new model year.

In the tractor world, we call these people the "Correct Police"! They're full of unasked for advice, and quick to point out anything THEY deem "incorrect" about someone elses project. Sometimes they don't even have a vehicle of their own, but they like to impress everyone with how smart and how important they are.

"Moroney stickers were not used until 1958."

Swifster -He said window stickers at car shows - entry cards that go on the windshield. Ever been to a car show? I'm sure you've seen them.

Sure I have. I also know the difference between a sticker and a card. Stickers actually stick. Cards kind of lay there. Anything else you'd like to know?

maybe why you think his asking "what they'd put on the window sticker when you go to car shows" had anything to do with a MoNroney Sticker?

Bill

You've never seen in imitation 'window sticker' put in the window of a restored vehicle? I have. That is what a Monroney Label (sticker) is. Ever pay sticker price?

These stickers are relatively common and can be made for trucks as well as cars. I guess I'd have to ask again, "Why would a car that sticks to nothing be called a sticker". Must be a west of the Mississippi thing. Lived in Detroit, St, Louis (I know, west of the Mississippi), and Central Florida. Haven't heard anyone call card board a sticker.

I'm glad you guys worry about this. I bet you also call your license plate a 'tag' like the folks here in Florida...

We're getting off topic here. Regaurdless of weather the truck is a 45 or 46...I bet more people at the car shows will come up and tell you a small block chevy will drop right in.

I don't know if anybody could positively ID your truck as a 45 or 46. It is in that gray area. Any explanation of it's model year should include the alternate theories of production.

Maybe you should really try and confuse people and call it a 45 and 1/2 or a 45.2.

What is absolutely certain about your truck is it is a very early post war civillian truck.

I tried to scan the ad I referred to earlier in this thread and it is professionally mounted and won't sit correctly in my scanner. It is from the Saturday Evening Post, Aug. 11, 1945. Mine is a copy, not original, as it turns out.

The title is "NOW AVAILABLE--CHEVROLET LIGHT DELIVERY PICK-UP TRUCKS FOR 1945"

Here is part of the text; "Chevrolet's popular pick-up truck is in production again-because the Government recognizes the importance of this versatile vehicle to agriculture, industry and trade, and their need for replacements...Of course, production is limited-still, thousands of essential users will be enabled to procure the high utility units."

Later on the ad states "These 1945 models are all Chevrolet-with chassis, cab and pick-up box engineered and built by Chevrolet..."

Now, of course, just because some ad copy refers to these as 1945 models, doesn't mean that it is official, (whatever official means!)

I tried to look on Ebay and the Aug, 11 1945 issue has on its cover a popular illustration by Norman Rockwell so it may be pricey to purchase.

Kent

I think that answers the question and who cares what anybody else thinks they know.

I wouldn't back down when I had my '45. At car shows, I could care less what others thought. It's a '45 is what I said and that's it.

Chevy, as far as I know, looks at all CK trucks to be 1946 trucks. That is why I suggested getting the restoration pack from GM. It will say without doubt if the truck is a 1945 or 1946 model.

There is no Rstoration Pack available for the '44/'45 trucks, it skips from '52 to '46, with '46s listed as DK. As mentioned, many states registered vehicles by year sold, rather than model year. I've seen cases of '57 Bel Air coupes (which has very distinct differences from the '56) registered as '56s, simply because they were sold in '56. Same goes for cars sold late in the year, like the late production '69 Camaro.

In reference to steppenwood's 1945 chevy - my truck was sold to me as a 1946 but ther was no serial # & no ID tag on it. It was registered by the engine block # which is V14765. I don't know if that # means anything or not, but the A pillar welds are showing down low at the cab in a semi circle down in the middle and up at the ends and they definitely look original, the grommet around the gas fill is leather. The bumper was reattached with new bar steel front & rear and there was no bed wood or strips ( ther still isn't ). To me it looks like there may have been 7 boards by the # of holes but hard to tell. I'm thinking this truck might have benn made lte 45 or real early 46. I"m going to look up the # on the differential again - I forgot what teh date was from it. Thank you Mr. Sandoval - This made my day. Jon G

I think you may find that number is a casting number which can be used over numerous years.

After Lightholder's Dad graciously sending me a scanned copy of a truck ad for 1945 pick-ups, I searched on-line and found a great copy of the ad on flickr.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/autohistorian/4024848052/sizes/o/in/photostream/

Thanks for all the input. Whenever I have needed info on old Chevy's, Stovebolters come through for me. On more than one occasion, I've posted something on the forum, and recieved photos and scans that fellow bolters took the time to download and send me. Stovelbolt is truely a unique place in that regard.

I've determined that this is a topic that can never totaly be proven one way or another. The fact is, trucks where made in 1945 for civilian use. Whatever model year people consider them is up to them I guess.