VIN number question for a '54 Chevy - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

KIILew · 10-16-2003, 05:41 PM

Hello '47-'54 truck people:

I have a question concerning VIN/Serial numbers...

Many years ago, my father purchased a 1954 Chevrolet 3/4 ton pickup (not running nor licensed since 1979) from an older couple, and I am now realizing that the vehicle I.D. number as shown on the title does not resemble the number that shows on the serial number plate in the driver side door jamb.

The VIN on the title page reads: 84516DF54

The serial number in the truck's door jamb reads: J540013513

Otherwise, the description of the vehicle on the title seems to be consistent with the actual vehicle, and the truck's license plates agree with those shown on the title.

Can anyone give me any ideas as to why the numbers are different? Could the number on the title reflect some other kind of serial or I.D. number marked elsewhere on the vehicle?

swede413 · 10-18-2003, 12:45 AM

I cant tell you why the # dont match but the numbers on the title are not consistent with a 54 truck. here is what the # on the door jamb mean
j540######
J=medium duty or 3/4 ton
54=1954
0=O what I mean is the next number is the letter O it represents the assembly plant so O=Oakland, Ca
######= the production number
hope this helps

Phat · 10-21-2003, 03:29 PM

Your truck was probaly titled by its engine #.
I have seen it happen a lot around here. Lucky here in CT we are a non title state. If you still have the original motor check on the pad by the dist to see if those # match up. Is your state a title state? You might have to do a little trickery to get it reg. I know you well not want to do it the way most MVD wants you to.

I would also caution you not to post the full VIN here on the internet as its easyly copied and stolen with a new tag. Just leave off the last 4 # when you post and you will never have a problem.
IT DOES HAPPEN!

KIILew · 10-23-2003, 01:56 PM

swede413:

Thank you for the info...very interesting that the truck was made in Oakland.

Phat:

Thank you for your response! I haven't checked the engine number yet, but your suspicion sounds like a possibility.

And thanks for the advice about the VIN/internet thing. Unfortunately, I can't seem to go back to edit my own message, so I don't know what I can do about it, short of deleting the whole thread! I don't even know if I can do that, in fact!

Oh well; live and learn!

Ken Lewis

Phat · 10-28-2003, 09:50 AM

I dont think you will have any trouble here and its pretty rare but i have seen it happen. Also on another site there are a few people that try to keep track of who has what and were it lives. You wont have any problems. Check the engine # sometime i will bet thats what happened. Have 2 titles for my 54 and one is by the engine # and one is correct for the door tag. Same truck LOL

solidaxel · 11-14-2003, 01:28 AM

So I learned something too!!!!!!!! My numbers are out there also, and I just broke out in a sweat when I read that about the numbers being stolen

10-16-2003, 05:41 PM	#1
KIILew Active Member Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Prosser, WA 99350 Posts: 147	VIN number question for a '54 Chevy Hello '47-'54 truck people: I have a question concerning VIN/Serial numbers... Many years ago, my father purchased a 1954 Chevrolet 3/4 ton pickup (not running nor licensed since 1979) from an older couple, and I am now realizing that the vehicle I.D. number as shown on the title does not resemble the number that shows on the serial number plate in the driver side door jamb. The VIN on the title page reads: 84516DF54 The serial number in the truck's door jamb reads: J540013513 Otherwise, the description of the vehicle on the title seems to be consistent with the actual vehicle, and the truck's license plates agree with those shown on the title. Can anyone give me any ideas as to why the numbers are different? Could the number on the title reflect some other kind of serial or I.D. number marked elsewhere on the vehicle?

10-18-2003, 12:45 AM	#2
swede413 Registered User Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: Las Vegas NV Posts: 183	vin ID I cant tell you why the # dont match but the numbers on the title are not consistent with a 54 truck. here is what the # on the door jamb mean j540###### J=medium duty or 3/4 ton 54=1954 0=O what I mean is the next number is the letter O it represents the assembly plant so O=Oakland, Ca ######= the production number hope this helps __________________ 70 blazer 350 3on tree 98 GMC 3/4 ton 4x4 5 speed manual Last edited by swede413; 10-23-2003 at 10:55 PM.

10-21-2003, 03:29 PM	#3
Phat Registered User Join Date: Sep 2003 Posts: 105	Your truck was probaly titled by its engine #. I have seen it happen a lot around here. Lucky here in CT we are a non title state. If you still have the original motor check on the pad by the dist to see if those # match up. Is your state a title state? You might have to do a little trickery to get it reg. I know you well not want to do it the way most MVD wants you to. I would also caution you not to post the full VIN here on the internet as its easyly copied and stolen with a new tag. Just leave off the last 4 # when you post and you will never have a problem. IT DOES HAPPEN! Last edited by Phat; 10-21-2003 at 03:32 PM.

11-14-2003, 01:28 AM	#6
solidaxel Registered User Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Cactus Patch So. Az Posts: 4,749	So I learned something too!!!!!!!! My numbers are out there also, and I just broke out in a sweat when I read that about the numbers being stolen __________________ 53 TuTone Extended Cab 350 4-Spd 3:08 (SOLD) 53 Chevy Moldy pearl green ZZ-4 4L60E 9" 3:25 55 GMC 1st Black Mll (ZZ4) ZZ6 TKO 600 5 sp 3:73 62 Solidaxle Corvette Roman Red (327 340hp 4spd 3:36) C4 & C5 suspension tube chassis LS 3 4L70E 65 Corvette Coupe 327 350hp 4spd 4:11 78 Black Silverado SWB (350/350) 5.3 & 4L60E 3:42 2000 S-Type 3.0 (wife cruiser) 2003 GMC SCSB 5.3 4L60E 3:42

10-23-2003, 01:56 PM	#4
KIILew Active Member Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Prosser, WA 99350 Posts: 147	swede413: Thank you for the info...very interesting that the truck was made in Oakland. Phat: Thank you for your response! I haven't checked the engine number yet, but your suspicion sounds like a possibility. And thanks for the advice about the VIN/internet thing. Unfortunately, I can't seem to go back to edit my own message, so I don't know what I can do about it, short of deleting the whole thread! I don't even know if I can do that, in fact! Oh well; live and learn! Ken Lewis

10-28-2003, 09:50 AM	#5
Phat Registered User Join Date: Sep 2003 Posts: 105	I dont think you will have any trouble here and its pretty rare but i have seen it happen. Also on another site there are a few people that try to keep track of who has what and were it lives. You wont have any problems. Check the engine # sometime i will bet thats what happened. Have 2 titles for my 54 and one is by the engine # and one is correct for the door tag. Same truck LOL



Register or Log In To remove these advertisements.

Register or Log In To remove these advertisements.