1955 Chevy 3600 “9 Years or Less”

[MadManAndrew]

Definitely unaware of how bad the suspension was on these trucks. Thanks for the info.

The plate does not contain the vin. Vin should be where arrow is pointing but is not. AFAIK it would be difficult to impossible to get a new vin for this thing without being able to prove its original VIN. Really hoping I can just find it somewhere else on the truck.

[joedoh]

Originally Posted by MadManAndrew

AFAIK it would be difficult to impossible to get a new vin for this thing without being able to prove its original VIN. Really hoping I can just find it somewhere else on the truck.

i dont think that is true, looking into it briefly turned up texas document VTR-68-A https://content.govdelivery.com/atta...8-A_SAMPLE.pdf

this may be new to you but they have seen it before no doubt, in the "important" section it says that if the original VIN can not be determined a new one will be assigned. and the "vehicle theft investigator" they refer to is usually a state trooper, or at least it is in kansas.

I am familiar (now that you show it) with those type of VIN plates, they used them through the 60-66 models (which did have a frame VIN on the left front rail) and for a lot of years they just fell off because they were spot welded (poorly) in little dimples on the plate, I think in 64 they started riveting them. you can mention that to the DMV too, that the spot welds sometimes failed even under the BEST circumstances, but they are probably familiar with that detail too.

make sure you take your chain of ownership, and any proof you have of how long it sat. here in kansas trucks are sold on bills of sale when they havent been registered in a long time, and even if you have an old title they tell you not to bring it because after 20-25 years they drop registrations and an old title is just a historical document. be honest, dont answer anything you dont know, they have done it before and you can get a new VIN assigned on an old rusty pile of parts a lot easier than a 2003 ford focus.

[Fitz57]

Vin numbers on frame in two places. Under cab on top of frame drivers side. Gonna need a mirror or pic with phone to see it. On top of frame behind steering box. Going to need some serious scraping to see it.

[MadManAndrew]

Originally Posted by Fitz57

Vin numbers on frame in two places. Under cab on top of frame drivers side. Gonna need a mirror or pic with phone to see it. On top of frame behind steering box. Going to need some serious scraping to see it.

Would it be the same for a '55? The frame in the engine compartment was pretty clean already, gave it a little scrub and sure doesn't look like there was ever any number there. Under the cab is pretty rusty but I gave it the mirror treatment and didn't see anything there either.

[joedoh]

i dont remember the frame number under the cab thing on 55-59 trucks, only on tri five (55 56 57) chevy CARS. I have heard people say the production number (not a full VIN) is stamped in front of the steering box on the top of the framerail but I have never seen one personally.


that motor number is gone for sure, probably a remanufactured engine somewhere in history.

also, its worth noting that a few weeks ago a guy showed a 55.2 GMC that had a 55.1 style frame under it from the factory. if the chevys did the same thing that may be why the VIN Isnt stamped there on a 3/4 ton.

[Fitz57]

Sorry, I just checked mine and it’s 12” in front of most forward steering box bolt. Not sure if they did it this way in 55.

[Fitz57]

Just checked under cab, vin on mine is about 13” behind center of m/c inspection plug on top of frame

[MadManAndrew]

Originally Posted by Fitz57

Sorry, I just checked mine and it’s 12” in front of most forward steering box bolt. Not sure if they did it this way in 55.

I grabbed the tape measure and measured 12” from the steering box and thought “there’s nothing there”. Decided to wire wheel it anyway and there it was! Didn’t think the crud was that thick on there but it was just enough to hide the stamp. Thank you so much!!!