"Zeros" in Production Numbers?

[ChevroletWT]

Hey all,

I was curious about 55-59 truck VIN numbers. Did the factory ever put a zero IN FRONT of the production number, say if it was a low production, five digit production number, in order to keep a 6 digit format? Here's an example:

If a 1956 stepside built in St. Louis was the 26,356th truck to come of the line, would the VIN be

3A56S026356

OR

3A56S26356

If anyone has a 55-59 truck that has a zero (or zeros) at the front of the production number, then that answers my question. Thanks!

[Maximus]

yes there were zeros. a california truck gets trickey though, because as your St. Louis truck has an S, a norhtern california truck has an "O" but the O and 0 look almost identical.
My '55 is from Oakland, and the O and 0 look so close that the vin at the dmv i

but yea, the first truck would be H255(Location)0000001 or H255S000001


worth noting, in 1955 they still used the 1954 vin coding of "H" for half ton, H2 would be 1/2 ton 2nd series...
1956 they started the 3A system

[ChevroletWT]

Originally Posted by Maximus

yes there were zeros. a california truck gets trickey though, because as your St. Louis truck has an S, a norhtern california truck has an "O" but the O and 0 look almost identical.
My '55 is from Oakland, and the O and 0 look so close that the vin at the dmv i

but yea, the first truck would be H255(Location)0000001 or H255S000001


worth noting, in 1955 they still used the 1954 vin coding of "H" for half ton, H2 would be 1/2 ton 2nd series...
1956 they started the 3A system

Thank you very much sir!!!

[dwcsr]

In that series the first truck built on a line would have the production number of 001001.

So it would look like 3A59S001001 for the first Chevy 31 series off the line in ST. Louis for 1959

[Highsider]

So, does "L" indicate a Los Angeles plant?
As in: 3A57L116...

[ChevroletWT]

Originally Posted by Highsider

So, does "L" indicate a Los Angeles plant?
As in: 3A57L116...

Yes sir!

[Highsider]

I learn something useful every time I visit this place!