The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network - View Single Post - 47-55.1 VIN for 1949 truck?

mr48chev · 12-04-2011, 01:48 PM

Most states used the engine number up into the early 50's. I've never found anything to back it but I believe that the theory was that in the early days the value of the vehicle was all in the engine and not the body/chassis.

The door tag number served more for info on what equipment was on the truck rather than being a vin number.

If you got a title with the truck the vin should match the stamped number on the pad on the engine by the distributor if it has the original engine. Even if you plan an engine swap I would keep that block if it has the correct vin number that matches the title. I'd get the title in my name and then after an engine swap check on getting an "engine change" designation on the title. That way you won't run into trouble if the truck gets checked for the vin matching the registration somewhere down the road.

12-04-2011, 01:48 PM	#6
mr48chev Registered User Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Toppenish, WA Posts: 15,367	Re: VIN for 1949 truck? Most states used the engine number up into the early 50's. I've never found anything to back it but I believe that the theory was that in the early days the value of the vehicle was all in the engine and not the body/chassis. The door tag number served more for info on what equipment was on the truck rather than being a vin number. If you got a title with the truck the vin should match the stamped number on the pad on the engine by the distributor if it has the original engine. Even if you plan an engine swap I would keep that block if it has the correct vin number that matches the title. I'd get the title in my name and then after an engine swap check on getting an "engine change" designation on the title. That way you won't run into trouble if the truck gets checked for the vin matching the registration somewhere down the road.