New to the site, new project

[58GMCSB]

Hello. I just picked up a 58 (i believe) GMC stepside. The last time this thing saw the road was probably about 5 years ago (as I'm told). This thing has sat in a field for at least the last 4 years. It needs a lot of work and isn't going anywhere anytime soon

The title on this thing is somewhat sketchy. I don't think its stolen, but i think the vehicle has probably went through a couple owners that never titled it (the two i know of are older farmer gents that aren't in great health and have a slew of older vehicles sitting around) and just moved it from one field to another to sit.
Im in FL, the last place this thing was titled was in GA. The guy i got it from tried to give me a 57 title. It does have the ID tag, and by what research I did on it, it appears to be the correct tag but obviously not the right title. He does have a bill of sale from the guy he got it from. But its your standard hand written piece of paper that wouldn't even begin to stand up in a court or an inspection station. The georgia DMV says all i need to do is fill out a form send it, a copy of this bos and $5 and they'll basically send a letter that will enable me to get it titled in FL, but i want to find the VIN.

I can't find the VIN on this thing. nothing on the cowl, supposedly its stamped in the top of the frame about 4" in front of the steering box, not seeing anything there either. I don't plan on this thing being on the road any time soon, but I definitely want to get it squared away before that time comes. There isn't even any place i can see that a vin would have been.

This thing looks pretty much stock. Im guessing even things like the shocks are either stock or at the very least probably 30-40 years old.

Where should I look for the VIN?

[pugs]

well your cab is a gmc. its not really a vin but a serial number. Is there a tag on the driver side door jam between the hinges.. if the numbers match your good. now its possible its a 57 and maybe in the past the front clip was changed out for some reason or it is a 58 but was sold in 57 so there for titled as a 57. let us know what the numbers are and I or someone will chime in and let ya know what it is

[58GMCSB]

Originally Posted by pugs

well your cab is a gmc. its not really a vin but a serial number. Is there a tag on the driver side door jam between the hinges.. if the numbers match your good. now its possible its a 57 and maybe in the past the front clip was changed out for some reason or it is a 58 but was sold in 57 so there for titled as a 57. let us know what the numbers are and I or someone will chime in and let ya know what it is

I do have the tag in the door. For whatever reason it had been popped off, but i have it now
the serial number is 101 P S20700A

[chopit]

Pretty straight ol truck ya got there.

Yep, as pugs said....door hinge pillar if its still there

[58GMCSB]

Originally Posted by chopit

Pretty straight ol truck ya got there.

Yep, as pugs said....door hinge pillar if its still there

yeah its surprisingly in decent shape. Frame is solid, cab appears to be pretty decent, doghouse is ok, but getting little pinholes here and there. There is a bit of cancer around the drip rails, bottom of the doors and inside the doors. Im pretty sure if nothing else, new doors are going to be required.

The engine appears to be pretty much bone stock

[chopit]

Here ya go to check your serial #

http://www.1955gmc.com/1955-59gmcguide.html

[58GMCSB]

Originally Posted by chopit

Here ya go to check your serial #

http://www.1955gmc.com/1955-59gmcguide.html

Yep, used that. from what i can tell model 101, 6 cylinder, s series, made in pontiac mi, produciton #20700

I believe the A means it has a Spicer rear end

Its a 6 bolt lug al lthe way around. My question is, will the pillar ID number on that tag be whats used to register/plate it

[chopit]

Originally Posted by 58GMCSB

Yep, used that. from what i can tell model 101, 6 cylinder, s series, made in pontiac mi, produciton #20700

I believe the A means it has a Spicer rear end

Its a 6 bolt lug al lthe way around. My question is, will the pillar ID number on that tag be whats used to register/plate it

Yes that is the ser # to register it (your dmv will refer to it as the vin. they just didn't call it that back then lol)

[pugs]

yup will be registered with that number as that's whats on the title as a VIN

[BIGglaSS]

VIN # is stamped on the upper frame rail, approximately under the drivers seat. You'll need a mirror to see it. 58's also had a metal VIN tag spot welded in the lower door jamb, under the data plate. I'd try to get it titled by the real VIN or you could have trouble selling it out of state later down the road.

[58GMCSB]

Ok, i went all over this frame last night with a mirror and my phone's camera. Now i haven't scrubbed the frame off yet and it has a fair amount of general dirt/scale and crud on it. I dont see any tag. It could be stamped in but i'll have to wait to see that when i get the frame off.

Digging around on the internet through various websites, i keep seeing that GMC's in this era didn't have VINs, the truck was registered by the ID number in the door.

The explanation i keep seeing is that until about 1980 every manufacturer had different formats for VIN. In the 50's for trucks, Chevrolet had VIN number/tags on the frame and firewall, but GMC had just the ID plate. GMC's also had numbers on the frame, engine, transmission and rear end, but they weren't ID numbers that linked the part to a particular vehicle, just numbers to identify that particular part of the vehicle and the features it had (gear ratios on rear ends, CID on engines, type of frame..etc).

I don't see any place below the ID in the door where there was a VIN plate welded in. I see 2 square recessed spots where something was obviously riveted or screwed in. By the placement of the rivets, the top recessed area is obviously the ID tag, the bottom one looks to be maybe the size for something like a tire size/rating badge or something like that.

Can anyone with a 58/59 GMC give me more info or tell me if what im reading is right?

[OrrieG]

Not sure about GMC but the Chevys have the vin stamped on the top of the frame top rail just in front of the steering box and under the driver step. If the truck has been restored before the one in front of the box may be painted over. The one under the step can be cleaned and a transfer made using paper and lead pencil to get an image. The one under the cab was supposed to be a secret known only to law enforcement for vehicle recovery. All GM cars have a second one too, on my Chevelle it is on the back top of the rear passenger inner fender where you can see it from inside the trunk.

[58GMCSB]

I don't think its every been restored before. It seems, from what im reading, that even though they were both gm lines, that chevrolet and gmc were somewhat different when it came to this particular facet of their vehicles