VCCA Home Forums TECHNICAL - 1945 AND EARLIER 1929-1932 1931 Numbers

After six months my 1931 Cabriolet I bought in Texas is drivable and I'm finally getting around to registering it in California. The title shows a VIN No. 2602493 but I can't find it on the car. Can anyone help me with this? Also, I found other numbers which I'd like to interpret. On the side of the engine with the fuel pump there are large numbers on the motor "GM D 10 6" and under this "836010-6" Also, right near here in smaller numbers on the block is "M626785I". On the other side near the carburator are numbers "836010-3". When buying a new gasket the Filling Station suggested these numbers were from a 35/36 so at least this part of the car may have been changed or repaired. On the fire wall under the hood are the numbers "Job 31568, Body 11037, Trim 8, Paint 80"

This car has a solid body and drives fine. We think it had three owners and never left Texas. In many ways it seems like it's in original condition, not like it just came off the factory floor but more like it came off the factory floor in 1931 and had been driven ever since.

I know how to add and subtract but these numbers have me befuddled.

Paul Zucker, San Diego, paul@zuckersystems.com

The number of "2602493" that appears on your title is the original serial number for a 1931 motor of 194 cubic inches, which would have been the correct motor for your car. The block casting number of "836010" that is on your motor that is currently in your car is for a 1935-36 206 cubic inch motor. Your engine block was cast on April 10th of 1936. The engine serial number of M626785I also indicates that you have a 1936 motor. When ordering engine parts, don't order parts for the year of car, but rather for a 1936 motor since your car now has an incorrect motor for the year of your car.

Job Number 31568 = 1931 Chevrolet Cabriolet

Body Number 11037 = 11,037th cabriolet made in a specific factory. I would need the factory designated letter or number to tell you which factory.

Trim Number 8 = Leather

Paint Number 80 = Black body with Aurora Red wire wheels, body insert and body stripe.
:( :(

Paul,
I have bad news. The engine is a '36 the casting number 836010 and date D (April) 10 (10th) 6 (1936) confirm it. The Serial number 2602493 is actually the original engine number (VIN numbers not used until the 80s) and indicates the engine was produced in early May '31.

Job number 31568 is a Cabriolet. Body number 11037 should have a letter preceding it and is a sequential number indicating the 11037th Cabriolet produced. Trim combination 8 is for a leather interior. Paint color combination 80 is Black body with Aurora Red wheels, door insert and wire wheels.

Hum........I think that I just read that somewhere. Ha ha! :eek: :eek:

Some Cabriolets and Landau Phaetons do not have a letter preceding the body number. One possible reason could be that the body was made at Fisher Body in Cleveland where there was no Chevrolet chassis assembly.

So any advice? The person I bought the car from claims he didn't know this and I believe him. Should I try to find someone who needs a 36 engine and try to find a 31? Any ideas on how to do this? Sounds like an expensive lesson. Thanks for the advice. Paul Zucker

Whenever you purchase a car, and if your intentions are to keep it totally stock, you should always check out all of the numbers before purchasing because it is not uncommon to find an engine swap in these early cars. A 1931 Chevrolet Cabriolet is a very desirable car to have, therefore, I would suggest that you find an original 1931 engine to swap out with the incorrect 1936 engine. Check your transmission also, because it could have been changed sometime in the past as well. Good luck!