The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Engine Shop VIN/ID/Engine number decoding help

I have a 1938 chevy 1/2 ton truck I am restoring. Just obtained the old Nevada title for vehicle from the owner, my father in law. It lists the VIN number or ID number as 6NCKK1376.
On checking the identification plaque on the passenger side of the firewall it is clearly stamped 6HC111376.
Is the first number as listed on the title an engine number since it was originally titled first in the late 40's? Before they had true VIN numbers starting in around 1955?
The id number on the firewall comes back to a 1938 chevy truck (HC) 1/2 ton manufactured in October/November 1937 and with a production number of 1376 and matches the vehicle as it sits. BTW vehicle when I started restoration did not have an engine or transmission to cross reference block, head or any other serial numbers. Is there any other numbers on the cab, frame, etc which would assist in identification? THanks for your help

Oldbald2 (AKA Don)

That looks like an engine number. A lot of states titled by engine number prior to about '55 when they started using body numbers. I don't know where you got the idea about "Before they had true VIN numbers starting in around 1955". The VIN numbering system was developed in the '80s.

There will be no other number location matching your serial # plate.

Every state has their own procedure for engine swaps. Texas issues an assigned number if you swap to an engine with no number.

http://chevy.oldcarmanualproject.com/chevyresto/3809.htm

I know nothing about identifying that year vehicle.

HC (page 4 at the link above) was used in 1938 for 1/2 ton trucks (112" wheel base). There is no indication of the preface of "6".