VCCA Home Forums TECHNICAL - 1945 AND EARLIER 1937-1945 1940 VIN where to find?

Hello,

As I posted before, the vintage car Virus got me again and I bought a 1940 4door now from a car restoration shop in Wisconsin.

Must know the VIN number to start all needed things for shipping and later registering in germany.
But the seller is no Chevy-Specialist and has no idea where to find the VIN number.
Is it stamped in the frame anywhere or as I had it before on my 1931, just a plate? Where?

Regards
Stefangermany

Most states used the engine number on the title in '40.

look on the passenger side floor below the front door. you will have to pull back the mat. it is located on the side floor pan. it is rivited in. good luck. this is where my tag was.

VIN numbers were not used in 1940. It is called the car serial number.

whooooooooof,
ok, have not been on Oktoberfest in Munich that year, but having a cool beer just now...tastes fantastic.
VIN Number, serial Number, not important how to call it. It must just be the number where the customs and police and anybody else can check "ok, the title and the car have matching numbers" otherwhise it will end in a big disaster and the car cannot be shipped.

Thanks for input about under the floor mat. Will tell the shop to search there.

Stefangermany

To complete the question:

The title shows following:
Vehicle Identification Number:
CHV410F0502229730WI

Hmmmmmm???? Did Chevrolet in 1940 really use that complicate VIN number? Or is there a mistyping or misunderstanding of anything?
The VIN plate of the car is still not found, but it is for sure, if title and car dont show matching numbers the idea to get that car is over. No chance at all to ship it here.
Shipping will end at customs office at harbour.

Hope to get out of that confusion soon.

Stefangermany

That is not a 1940 car serial number. However, just guessing but I would say that is a assigned VIN number from the state of Wisconsin that was assigned years later, probably because the original car serial number is missing. Also, in reading the assigned VIN number (again, just guessing) it appears that they have the car listed as a 1941 and not a 1940.

With discrepancies such as this, and the fact that you live in Germany and the car is in the USA, I would tend to back away from the vehicle and find something else.


On the contrary, it is important to use the correct terminology regarding the car serial number vs. the VIN number, especially when the early vehicles never had VIN numbers.

Stefon,
if you find the original serial number it should read something like 9KA0213657. the letters may be different, as to what the model is. but you will know when you see it. good luck! drink one for me!!

Good news!

They found the tag with that funny unknown VIN number at the door post! It seems, it is just any kind of computered fantasy number. Nobody knows why they did it, the main interst is: It's found and it does match to the title.

The original serial number was found too, and it is
3KA02 29730.
Will try to find out what it means.

Tomorrow I must go to my bank and organize the transfer of some money...to get the car.

Will attach a picture of it later and let you see what will be my next chevy after my 1931 is gone.

Thanks for all informations.
Did buy in ebay owners manual and repair book, hope it will not need to much time to change my knowledge from 1931 to 1940.

Regards
Stefangermany

As promised, here you can see pictures. The car was damaged by a garage fire and later sold to a restoration shop and now I did buy it.
http://de.fotoalbum.eu/stefha/a538117

3 = assembled in StLouis, MO.
KA = 1940 Special Deluxw
02 = assembled in Feb of 1940
Number is production sequence number of vehicles assembled at that plant for 1940 models

oktoberfest ! can you mail me a wonderful beer ? just kidding , but the beer is the best ! wonderful looking car . frank