Help Decode Yet Another 1955 2nd Series Mystery!

[ChevroletWT]

Hey guys,

As some of you may know, I have been working on a 1955 2nd series 3100 Stepside project for a little while now.

The truck came with no title, only bill of sale. There is no VIN plate on the A pillar, and there is no sign that one has ever existed there, either.

Today I got the chance to start wire brushing the frame in hopes of finding a vin. I finally found a number stamped on the driver's side frame rail right where the cab meets the frame. My only problem is that the number is only 6 digits. This seems strange.



It almost looks like there could be some very light characters before the number, but if there are they are impossible to read.

Does anyone have any insight to this problem? Am I going to have to lift the cab to find the full number?

The only other marking I found on the front frame area was a big "S" stamped right in the middle of the front crossmember. Does this mean anything? St. Louis??

I am dying to find a full vin. After all, the truck could end up being a '56 for all I know.

Thanks!

Will

[Kim57]

The VIN on my 57 was under the cab. It's possible that that is your VIN. You should see if you can read the other numbers in front of what is there.
As far as the tag missing from the A pillar they were just spot welded on and could be removed and leave no indication it was there at all.
Kim

[mr48chev]

This is worth saving for every Task Force truck guy who hasn't saved it before. http://www.gmheritagecenter.com/gm-h...olet-Truck.pdf

I'd think that your truck is the 21774th truck built that year.

[OrrieG]

That's the same info that is at the Old Car Manual site in my link below. It has most years we are interested in, autos too.

[ChevroletWT]

Originally Posted by mr48chev

This is worth saving for every Task Force truck guy who hasn't saved it before. http://www.gmheritagecenter.com/gm-h...olet-Truck.pdf

I'd think that your truck is the 21774th truck built that year.

I appreciate that info. If you think that 21774 is the production number, does that make the "O" for the Oakland plant? I'm just trying to assemble a full VIN.

I know that it is for sure a 1/2 ton 3100 pickup. I'm mostly sure it is a '55 and not a '56. I do not know for sure if it was originally a 6 or 8 cylinder. But here is a VIN estimate -

H255O21774

Just shooting in the dark here.

[hammerdog57]

There are two locations for vin on frame. one in front drivers side by steering box and another between cab mounts under cab. Mine had vin stamped in both locations.

[OrrieG]

I have always assumed the "S" was the frame component mill manf. mark. I have seen it on other parts and on Chevy autos too.