Truck VIN - 55 or 56???
 

Hi Guys

My name is Mike Barr and I live in Northern Ireland. I was hoping some of you might be able to help me. I just bought a 1955 chevy stepside (or so I thought) but having difficulty in decoding the VIN. On the frame rail under the cab it reads 562003138

Does this mean its a 56? What does the 2 stand for after the 56? Is it series 2?

Is there anyway I can trace the rest of the numbers / letters? It now has a 79 Camaro front end so no vin at steering box or door jams.

Any help would be much appreciated.
Cheers
Mike

Re: Truck VIN - 55 or 56???
 

Hello, Mike. Welcome to the forum.

Your truck ID number does not comply with US truck VIN numbers.

http://www.stovebolt.com/techtips/VIN.htm

If it is a VIN number, it looks like the series is missing. The remaining information would decode to 1956 model year, produced in unknown plant (2) with sequence number 003138. This is speculation though without more information.

If the truck was made in North America then you might be able to contact GM USA or GM Canada to obtain more information.


Do you have any pictures of the truck? Does it look like other US trucks or are there unique differences like Canadian trucks have?

Re: Truck VIN - 55 or 56???
 

Hi

Yes, it does seem like a strange number. here is my truck....

http://i233.photobucket.com/albums/e...psncewtv77.jpg

Is there a link or contact to someone good in GM who might be able to shed some light?

Mike

Re: Truck VIN - 55 or 56???
 

There may be another stamping on the chassis. Most trucks on this side of the pond would start out with H255.... or 3A59..... depending on assembly plant. There should also be (on US trucks) a vin stamp on the drivers A pillar or door hinge area.

Good Luck

Re: Truck VIN - 55 or 56???
 

VERY nice truck. Are those an oddity in Ireland? Any trouble registering it in your country?

Re: Truck VIN - 55 or 56???
 

Hey Guys, yes these trucks are very rare over here. That said a mate of mine also has a 59 Apache about 2 mins around the corner from me! Where else on the frame would the VIN be stamped? I found that number on top of frame rail under cab on drivers side. Is there a stamp on door A-pillar or should there be a plate? Is it the side with hinges or door catch? Where roughly is it? Might get the thinners out :eek::eek:

is there any other way to distinguish between a 55 and 56?
Mike

Re: Truck VIN - 55 or 56???
 

Check to see if you can figure out where the original front fender badges were located - they were above the body line one year, below the other year, I just can't keep track of which is which.
Sweet ride, I'm sure it's a head-turner over there...as it would be here!

Re: Truck VIN - 55 or 56???
 

Not really.

The GM Heritage Center has specific information by VIN starting with the 1976 model year.

Here is a generic info packet, which should option content and packaging, but I don't think it would help in your situation.

https://www.gmheritagecenter.com/doc...1st-Series.pdf

https://www.gmheritagecenter.com/doc...2nd-Series.pdf

https://www.gmheritagecenter.com/doc...2nd-Series.pdf

Vintage Vehicle services of GM of Canada has build information by VIN for vehicles that were either sold in Canada or vehicles that were built in Canada for US consumption. Perhaps they could help.

Link: http://www.vintagevehicleservices.com/

K

Re: Truck VIN - 55 or 56???
 

the third digit on the top of frame rail might be an S (not a 2) so 56S003138 - would this make any more sense? Going to go out a rub it down so I can see more clearly.

Re: Truck VIN - 55 or 56???
 

Very nice looking truck! What a great location for a photo, too.

It seems like registering a vehicle in Europe can be a very complex process. An old truck like that here is usually not a problem. Local law enforcement agencies can usually issue a VIN number if sufficient documentation exists to show the vehicle is not stolen.

'55 and '56 are extremely similar. As mentioned, the fender badge locations vary. You could look for paint codes on parts indicating assembly dates but there's no guarantee the part is original to your truck.

A US issued VIN is affixed to the cab above the upper LH door hinge. In this photo it is the plate above the steering wheel centerline.

http://blog.hemmings.com/wp-content/...ban_04_700.jpg

There is also a plate with the vehicle model and/or Gross Vehicle Weight Rating attached to the cab between upper and lower hinges. It looks a bit like this one from a '53:
http://www.agtmotors.com/uploads/Ima...%20idplate.JPG

If the truck still has an original style axle you might be able to locate build dates there.

Re: Truck VIN - 55 or 56???
 

Guys, just checked front of LMC book. Although I'm missing the first few numbers the rest appears to make sense, see below:

56 = Year
S = St Louis
003138 = production number

???

Re: Truck VIN - 55 or 56???
 

I'd missed the post where you corrected the VIN. That number makes sense.

Re: Truck VIN - 55 or 56???
 

So now to trace the first part!?!?!

Re: Truck VIN - 55 or 56???
 

The first part would consist of a V designation if it were an original V8 truck, and the model designation. Most trucks were six cylinder so the V would be omitted. The remaining two designators are most likely 3A for 1/2 ton 3100.
http://chevy.oldcarmanualproject.com...4.htm#56series

Re: Truck VIN - 55 or 56???
 

Is there a way to tell if it was a v8? Is the bulk head / firewall a different shape?

Re: Truck VIN - 55 or 56???
 

http://i233.photobucket.com/albums/e...ps2xtgmfdf.jpg This is my engine bay...

Re: Truck VIN - 55 or 56???
 

There aren't many differences and most of them wouldn't be present in your truck. The original V8 engine mounts were in a different location than the sixes, the radiator was mounted farther back, and the bell housing was slightly different. Most six cylinder trucks used a pedal activated starter with a rod that came up through the floor near the throttle pedal.

What is that tag near the battery? Is that where your VIN is located?

Re: Truck VIN - 55 or 56???
 

Its a tag that the previous owner made up - has incorrect info on it. starts 565 which initially threw me a little. 5 should be an s.

You seem to know your stuff so second and third questions...

How wide a wheel can you fit on the rear of these trucks? Would an 8.5 x 15 torq thrust original work on rear with 7s on front?
Rear axle is ten bolt with 5 x 4.75. Numbers on it are

g81561
GM24
1254333
F18

Is this a camaro axle or original?Front end is 79 Camaro (I think). Appreciate all you guys helping me out!!

Mike

Re: Truck VIN - 55 or 56???
 

Well, I guess I've fooled you, then. ;)

1254333 appears to be a Camaro or Firebird axle number.
F18 ... is this F78? That would be a casting date of June (F) 1978.
Look at the RH side axle tube for those. There's a decoder that might help here:
http://www.thecamaro.com/Decoding/Ch...-End-Decoding/

As far as wheel spacing and size, maybe someone with more information can help out.

Re: Truck VIN - 55 or 56???
 

Makes sense, since if the guy had a '79 Camaro and used the front suspension he would probably use the rear axle, too.

K

Re: Truck VIN - 55 or 56???
 

Just noticed my UK tax book states the car was registered on 31 Dec 1955 - I have no proof of this but was there any cross over period between 55 and 56 trucks were later 55 models received the 56 in the vin? Silly question but just making sure before i go to hassle of changing year on my tax book. eg was there ever a truck starting H256S003138.... (guessing mine should be 3A56S003138

Re: Truck VIN - 55 or 56???
 

With Christmas closely following our Thanksgiving few people are in the mood to make large purchases in the first couple of months of a new year. So American auto makers typically start the next model year around September. It's perfectly reasonable to see a 1956 model truck sold in the last few months of 1955.

Re: Truck VIN - 55 or 56???
 

Great, so it's definately a 56 and not a 55? 100% sure? ��

Re: Truck VIN - 55 or 56???
 

Vin indicates it was a 56 model year, trim differences between 55 and 56 could verify that. But sometimes in the fall during transition extra 55 parts got used on early 56 models. And the jurisdiction that registered the truck originally may have registered it based on calendar year not vin model year. Not a big deal if you have a title that matches the vin, only big differences are in hood and fender trim, which should match the vin not title date. Since your hood and fender trim have been deleted everything else looks correct since grilles and parking lights look to same. If you are ambitious you could look at the back side of the hood and fenders and see where the trim holes were filled to see which fenders and hood you have.

Re: Truck VIN - 55 or 56???
 

I'll do that, what is the difference between 55 and 56 trim holes? Are they drilled in different places?