VCCA Home Forums TECHNICAL - 1945 AND EARLIER 1929-1932 Truck Number Plate...VIN ?

Hi.
I am learning that 6BB123311 on the plate is not the VIN.
Chevrolet did not have VIN numbers until latter.
Do I use 6BB123311 an a VIN when I try to register it?
Thank you
Ed

Your Vehicle serial 6BB12-3311 number breaks down as follows:

6 = Oakland assembly plant
BB = Commercial (Passenger chassis)
12 = December 1931
3311 = 2311 commercial assemnbled in Oakland, 1932 model year.

Your vehicle was built in late December, 1931. Last serial number in December 1931 at Oakland was 6BB12-2421. The number sequence started at 6BB11-1001 in November 1931.

Ed
Most states today want to use the serial number plate that you have or assign it a new number. Some state will use the engine number. Hopefully they will use the serial number. Original cars they try to leave original for titling. Street rod usally get a new number. Good luck, Joe

Ed,
The only reason it is not a VIN is that in 1932, Chevrolet had yet thought to use the term "Vehicle Identification Number". VIN, Serial Number, I.D. Number, it's just semantics.
Yes, it is the appropriate number for your truck's title.

Mike

If you check you will find that there is a significant difference in the potential jail time between altering VIN, serial, car and other id numbers. VINs are a federally mandated sequence of numbers and letters. The others are developed by the vehicle manufacturer.

Chippy Dippy is correct. A "VIN" and a "car serial number" are two completely different forms of car identification and they should not be considered as being the same.

Thanks for the input.
So it looks like that I may be getting a number assigned by DMV?
I do not know if I will ever get this thing regestered.
It may end up being a large wall hanging.
Ed

I will not argue with Chip and the Jay Wye Dee with regard to the VIN vs Serial Number.
The fact remains that Old cars have been registered in every state for decades using the factory assigned number which is unique to the subject vehicle, whether that number meets the criteria for a VIN or not. It's the only number they had besides the engine number, which could usaully not be traced back to a specific vehicle by any ordinary means.
I don't think that in 1933, when the owner of his new Chevy truck went to register it, that he was told he would have to wait until the Federal Government invented the VIN before he could do so.
The number you have should do fine and if your state refuses to honor it, it's only because someone is a jerk, not because it is the wrong number.

Mike

Absolutely...the old vehicles have been registered for years either with their engine serial numbers or their car serial numbers, and even today an antique vehicle can be registered with it's original car serial number. That depends upon the state of course.

However, we were trying to point out that the modern day "VIN" terminology should not be confused with the old "car serial number" because they are two completely different things. So, when getting your old Chevrolet registered don't look for a "VIN" number on your vehicle 'cause ya won't find one. Look for the factory issued "car serial number" instead which would appear on the serial number plate.

As 35Mike indicated, if the DMV won't register your car with the original factory issued "car serial number" then you are probably dealing with a moron behind the counter. Or possibly the other reason is that particular state (because of state law) will no longer recognize an original factory issued "car serial number" since it is not a modern "VIN" number mandated by the government.

I paid a visit to DMV this morning.
The lady said that there is not much I can do until I get it on the road and get a VIN verification but it should not be a problem using the car serial number.
I have a pair of 32 Ca. plates that clear but are not commercial.
Anyone try to use non commercial plates on a 1/2 ton?
I believe that the chassis is the same as a car.
Maybe I can find someone who wants to trade.
Thank you for all the advise.
Ed

If you were here in Az I would tell you to put it together as close as possibe to resemble the truck, make sure the serial number plate is in place where it should be. put it on a trailer & take it to MVD so they could do a level one inspection. Then you file for a bond (that's to protect you)& then they will give you a bonded title.
It sould like the closer you get it done in California, the more taxes they can get from you. Az doesn't charge sales tax.
Talk to a supervisor at a different location. I've heard California can be a real bear sometimes
Joe

I know it has been awhile.
I finally got this thing in my name.
I paid someone who knew what they were doing.
They came to my place, took a look at it and used the serial number. Had it registered and Y.O.M. plates in no time.
The plates I used were not commercial plates but it did not seem to matter.
Well worth the money!
Now I have some incentive to go back to work on it.
Ed

Congrats...Joe

Congrats !!

Now back to the grind