VCCA Home Forums TECHNICAL - 1945 AND EARLIER 1937-1945 1938 Chevy Coupe VIN Number

I'm having problems trying to register my 1938 Chevy Coupe, here in CA. According to the CHP the VIN (Body Number) does not match anything on record. The engine block number references a 1937 engine. They are asking from me to stream clean the under carriage and return for another inspection. Are there addtional numbers on the under carriage? Any assistance would be greatly appreaciated. Thank you for your time.

Do you have a title, BOS? What information is on those documents.

You should never go to a DMV unless you know more information than they do.

Give us all the information you have that is on the 38 and tell us what paperwork you have and we will attempt to assist.

Like Ray said, what number is showing on the title. Most likely the engine number since most states used the engine number at that time. There's no place on the frame "that I'm aware of" with a matching number. The only two numbers I've heard of being used for titling is the engine number and the unit serial number on the data plate on the passenger side of the cowl under the hood. If the number on your title is no where on the car you have issues to discuss with whoever sold you the car.

Thank you for your response.

Yes I do have the Bill of Sale. Along with the Title.

VIN #5HB0526962
Engine Block Stamped # I8b4023

Thanks again for all your help..

Arturo.....Like Tiny said... the engine number is in most cases used for the registration number...These cars DO NOT have a VIN.....Do not use the ENGINE CASTING Number.
The ENGINE NUMBER is located on a SMALL raised area on the engine block, on the left side of the distributor.
GOOD LUCK......ED

5HB0526962
Do you have this number on a tag on the body where indicated previously? This is the serial number that California should reconize as "the serial number" for this year Chevrolet. It breaks down to a Kansas built 1938 master built in May of 1938 & 26962 is the last part of the serial number. That entire number should be used for titling today. There are no numbers on the chassis.F**d did that...Joe

Here is some additional information:

The stamped number is I8(b or 6)4023
The raised number is GM 83871012
Style No. 38-1217
Body No. K5769

a 1938 Chevy Sport Coupe with a Rumble Seat
Master or Master Deluxe...unsure

First off, Refer to you vehicle serial number as a serial number and not the VIN. The VIN term didn't come along until the Federal Goverment mandated it sometime in the 60's.

Your 1938 Vehicle should have a serial plate affixed to the cowl right side outer verticle surface. Raise the hood panel right side to view this plate. Your serial number should look something like (Example)1HA09-XXXXX (Deluxe Passenger) or 1HB09-XXXXX (Master Passenger). First digit(s)preceeding the HA is the Assembly plant identifier (Oakland Ca was 6). HA-HB is the vehicle model. Next two digits are the month of assembly. (example 09 = September). The last digits XXXXX are the vehicle build sequence number.

Many states used the engine serial number to register a vehicle in the time period you are working with. If your engine is a 1937 unit as you suggest its serial number should fall somewhere between 1 (first unit assembled at Flint) and 1187821 (last 37 engine). If your engine is a 1938 as it should be, its serial number should fall within 1187822 (first 38 unit Flint) and 1915446 (last 38 unit Flint) unless it was assembled at the Tonawanda engine plant and then the number range was B-1 (first 38 unit assembled) and B-10502 (last 38 unit assembled).

Steam cleaning the vehicle under carriage in search of numbers will be a waste of time. There were none located any other place except for the Fisher Body Tag located on the front vertical surface of the cowl (firewall) which has no bearing on what you are attempting to solve.

I'm glad to see a "k" on the Fisher body tag. The "k" also indicates Kansas. It was the 5769th 38-1217 built in Kansas.
If the serial number tag is missing you may have another problem...Joe

The problem I'm running into is that there were two plates on the passenger firewall and now there one large plate on the bottom and the top one is missing, however a new smaller plate is now there stating Body Number (VIN?) 5HB052962. Thanks again gentlemen. I do really appreciate All your help.

Print everything we've told you & go to motor vehicle.

This shows my coupe before rescue and restoration. You'll notice the two plates on the side of the cowl. The upper is the one you're missing. These are available as reproductions. A VCCA member sells them stamped with your number. He advertises in the club magazine. I also see them on ebay and I believe The Filling Station sells unstamped repops that you have to stamp yourself. I bought a repop and stamped it myself because my original had been painted over. The bottom pic shows a bit of my repop plate and the original hex/clutch head fastening screw.

Gentlemen...this is what the CHP is stating...

I must remind you that our records search revealed the VIN number on the vehicle is non-conforming to that vehicle. I understand that the State of Iowa has records dating back to 1976, however, their records appear to have the wrong VIN number. As I mentioned before, the "Body Number" plate on the firewall appears to be a replacement tag and not the original. As requested please steam clean the under carriage of the vehicle and I could check a couple of confidential locations.

They can look all they want..there is no ID number on the frame or body other that the tag on the cowl. I've looked at my car for hours and have never seen any number of any kind. If you come up with this number PLEASE post that information.


If it were me...I'd go to another county and try the process all over again. It makes a difference in who you talk to about old car titles, go to a woman if you can. (don't tell my wife I said that)...grin

I'm guessing CHP doesn't like the new serial number plate. Looks too nice for a older car.
Where is your title from?
If you can get this resolved, make a copy of the old title before you give it to California..Joe

So is the engine no. I8b4023 or I864023 or 1864023 ? Thanks
Also the orignal serial number plate was replaced with smaller tag...which states BODY no. 5HB0526962

That is correct Joe. I really do love this car and dont want to lose it. Any and all help is really appreciated.

It's just an assumption on my part but I remember someone posting some time back that California was an engine number state and they may be saying in a round about way that the number on your title isn't the engine number. Buy a repop data plate, stamp the number you have on it, mount it in the appropriate spot and take it for inspection. As Steve said please post the "confidential" location where they find the number because I've never heard of their being a number hidden anywhere. For what it's worth I've heard of folks in CA having troubles in the past and taking their vehicles to a different location to get them inspected successfully.

Sorry Joe...The title is from IOWA...from what I was told a Mr. Cook from Council Bluffs owned the vehicle for some 40 odd years.

Hey , Arturo...The CHP's just dumber than #!*%...your engine number is your VIN # if it don't match there's been an engine "swap" and not taken care of at the DMV in the past...I feel your pain...I was down @ the DMV recently and they insist on seeing my '47 to check my #'s before issuing me "tags" because it's been 10 years since I last registered the jolopy...And I have my "GOOD TITLE" in hand ! I Think DMV is where you oughta be ! Tell'em the engine has been swapped ...obviously !!! Kevin

...Thought I'd read that the #'s also on the "top" of the tranny and the rear-end...good luck seeing that ! Head down to DMV for a chat...see what they've got to say....

...cool car by the way...

Hi Kevin

It was the DMV that started this whole mess. Their remarks colum stated. "Do Not Process - Refer to CHP; Plate that VIN is stamped on has been replaced". So now in order to register my vehicle I need CHP to sign off.

...Those guy's... I'll tell ya ...well you could go back to the CHP and inform them of the obvious engine swap...you know they are just so jealous of your '38 they just can't think f*%#ing straight ! Kevin

Anybody know a CHP that's a car guy. California may be a engine serial number title but because Arturo's car came from another state (Iowa), they use the car serial number....Joe

There ya go ! Thanks , Joe