VCCA Home Forums GENERAL DISCUSSION New User Forum Decoding VIN for 1936 Chevrolet automobile

I have a 1936 Chevrolet automobile. I would like assistance in decoding the VIN located on the passenger floorboard. The VIV is 21FC0537453. The cowl plate indicated Style No. 36-1211; Body No. J 19836Z; Trim No 50 and Paint No. 196. Any help with decoding would be much appreciated. Zim

Hello Zim, and welcome to Chevy Chatter II.

Here is the breakdown on some of your numbers.

The serial number (not a "VIN", as it is used today) 21FC0537453:

21-Janesville, WI factory
FC-Standard passenger car or 1/2 ton truck
05-Month of assembley, May
37453-sequential assembley number

Paint #196 is Black
Trim #50 is Brown mohair

Here are some links to additional info:

http://www.stovebolt.com/techtips/VIN.htm

http://home.znet.com/c1937/paint.htm

http://chevy.oldcarmanualproject.com/models/series1.htm

Happy Motoring,

Dan

FC is a Standard car.
A 1/2 ton truck is a FB.

Right you are, Chevgene. I was thinking Sedan Delivery but typed 1/2 ton truck.

thanks for all your help. zim

I know this is a really old thread, but have been looking to find the reference of the serial number and the title. My title only lists the engine number and I am thinking this is not accurate since everything I am finding starts with this 21F designation.

I don't exactly understand your question but 21 = assembled in Janesville and F indicates the month of June. That would be the beginning numbers/letters of the serial number.

On the car serial number the month of manufacture is designated by a number, such as "05". The "F" on the car serial number would be part of the indicator for the series such as "FA" or "FC".

Correct- Would be a FC if a Standard and a FA if a Master. The the next number ( from 1-12) would be the month assembled and then a series of numbers which is the balance of the serial number.

The system here in Aus is different but I believe most states in the US used the engine number as the main identification until 195?.
Tony

Thats what I mean, I have a project, has the body tag only, no serial number tag. Original frame modified with a mustang II front suspension, rear converted to 4 link. Still looks like the original frame. The original title lists make as Chevrolet, Body as Coupe, Year built 1936 a 7 digit engine number, 26 HP, Bore 3 5/16. There is a title number in different red font that are 7 different numbers. I am just wondering if this is one of the "historic documents". I have been reseaching a while, and its always been said the engine number is part of the vin. This is a 5 window coupe,
body tag reads style #36-1017
body no J2229
Trim No 53
Paint NO 186

None of these numbers are on the title. I got this abandoned project from Florida, got blasted and sat thru a hurricaine. Came with an injected engine, still dont want to start work on it if I cant find a way to title it in IL.

I have read where Ford stamped numbers in the frame, I DA'd the rust off the frame thinking any numbers or letters would show up, nothing.

The only place the serial number was on the car is the cowl plate.
Most states used the engine number for registration before 1955.

The main question was, with the guy with the 21 beginning number, did the engine number match the last 6 digits on the title?

I mean I am pretty much figuring I cant get this titled here unless its titled as a street rod, and the car needs to be built before that happens. You get a 90 day permit and locations to receive a current vin. I was just hoping to title this while it was rust before doing all the work.

The 1936 car engine numbers ranged from M5500179 through M6784512.
That is the number STAMPED into the block just behind the fuel pump. Any number beginning with 21 is part of the serial number....21 indicating the car was assembled at the Janesville plant...other number used for various plants.
Prior to 1955 most states used the engine munber for registration.

I was just seeing if the engine number was in the the serial number since that is all that is written on the title.