help decoding my 61 C VIN?

[ANDYSRED61]

Hello, I'm new to this site and look forward to anyone's input. I have a 1961 chevy step side that is sitting on what I believe to be a K5 blazer frame. I need help decoding the VIN# I found on the drivers side door frame. I've been searching everywhere but cannot fully decode it. The VIN # is 1C853S120790. I know the 1st digit is the year 1961 and the 2nd digit "C" is for a 2 wheel drive, but I cannot figure out the 3rd, 4th & 5th digits? The 6th digit is an "S" for St. Louis... I appreciate any help I can get to figure out the 3rd, 4th & 5th digits. Thanks!!

[aerotruk63]

Looked at the 1961 Shop Manual and it says to refer to the 1960 Shop manual for Series and Model identification.
C is for Conventional1`
3rd digit 8 according to the book is a 2 1/2 ton H.D.
4th digit 5 is a CA dimension of 8ft. ( has something to do with the GVW )
5th digit according to the book reads 03 which is Cab & Chassis
There are supposed to be 4 digits following the 1C.
S as stated St. Louis plant.
Last six digits are the production sequence number.

[ANDYSRED61]

Thank you aerotruk63... your info is very much appreciated! Here is a pic of the VIN. As you can see, there are only 3 digits after the "C". I was told this truck was ordered new for a fire department in GA. This might explain the "cab & chassis" designation. I did not know they made a 2 1/2 ton...? Do you know if this makes sense? I'm also still a little confused about the CA Dimension of 8ft... Again I appreciate your knowledge & input.

[aerotruk63]

There are supposed to be 4 digits following the 1C.

I was wrong on that statement, there are only 3 digits after 1C. It's my new med's I'm telling you, it's the med's.

[jtrichard]

PICS of frame would help ..Hard to be-live that they used a 2 1/2 ton frame under that truck .... aerotruk '' CA dimension of 8ft.'' is the distance from the back of cab (C) to the center of rear axle (A) .... nothing to do with GVW just wheel base/bed length/load centering.....

[ANDYSRED61]

Thanks for chiming in jtrichard... However, as I mentioned in my original post, this truck is currently sitting on a K5 blazer frame so I do not have pic's of the original frame.

[aerotruk63]

Thanks for explaining the CA measurement. I went back and looked at my books

1960 U.S. shop manual says CA DIMENSION ( 1 1/2 ton & up )
1960 Canadian shop manual says CA DIMENSION ( 10,000 lb. GVW and up )

Now that you mention it I remember seeing those definitions in the Truck Data Book.

From The 63 Price and Facts book. C85 has a 175" wheelbase
Link to page to use magnifier:
https://photos.google.com/album/AF1Q...IiXrDadaAV0HLL

[jtrichard]

OOPS I missed that the vin was in the cab ......I would guess that the floor has been modified for a hump and the fenders/bed are from another truck ....... Fire truck would explain the CA of 8" and it would have also had duels and wide flare fenders.... Probably the only things used from the original truck was the cab and maybe the hood every thing else has been Frankensteined together NOTHING wrong with that

[ANDYSRED61]

Thanks for the new name jtrichard... I think I'll call it "FRANKENSTEIN"!

Easy on the med's aerotruck63...

I appreciate both of your input.

[jtrichard]

I did make a mistake the hood is not from the 61 (hood is 62 up) park lenses are 63 to 66.... Cowl corners could be from the 61 2-1/2 T (not sure where the badging was on the 2-1/2 T in 61) ...Grill is 64 to 66.. Bed could be 55 to 66.... Whomever's Monster that is did a GREAT job looks beautiful...... ever hear the Johnny Cash song One piece at a time? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rWHniL8MyMM

[ANDYSRED61]

It is a mutt! But coming along nicely. New gages, new steering column, new front end, re-upholstered seat, re-located the fuel tank under the bed... all this winter. And the 327 run's great! Thanks again!