65 chevy vin

[mikebryant39]

I have a 65 half ton 2 wheel drive. According to the books I have the vin plate for 65 trucks should be located on the upper left hinge pillar. These same books say the vin plate for a 66 is located on the left hand roof rail, which is where the vin plate on my truck is located. However, the vin number itself identifies the truck as a 65, i.e. vin # C1445J100947. Also, the engine code shows that the truck has a 250 cu. in. six. The engine code is F0723TF which is a 66 or newer engine. The truck is a 4spd w/granny 1st, so the engine code matches the trans. Did any of the late production 65 models get 250 sixes instead of 230 sixes? I figure most likely the engine was replaced, but I'm not sure. Is there a way to date the engine? Secondly, I can't match the color code in the books I have. My truck has the paint code stamped as 540AD. Any ideas as to what that number means? The truck was originaly a turquoise which is coded as 510. Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks, Mike

[JJR]

My brother-in-laws 65 also has the VIN plate above the door. Color code 510 and 540 were both medium turquoise but 540 was used in two tone applications. Can't help you with the engine other than TF is a 250 used in 66-68 trucks. Hope this helps.