VCCA Home Forums TECHNICAL - GENERAL Trucks and Vans Serial numbers

We are having trouble decoding the serial numbers on our 2 '39 pick up's. All of the books we have say the serial number should start with a number indicating where the truck was assembled. Both of ours start with XH (one is XHJC42308, the other one is very close in numbers to that one). The Vin plate on both is titled "General Motors of Canada Limited" Does the XH stand for Canada meaning they were both assembled there? Any help appreciated, thanks,
Maree

The XH prefix is the plant code for the GM Assembly Plant at Petone, New Zealand that opened in 1926. Your trucks components were shipped to Petone in CKD [completely knockdown] packing crates from the Oshawa, Ontario manufacturing plant.

Thanks so much for that info - its great to clear it up and its been bothering us for a couple of years now. I dont suppose you could tell us how to decode the rest of it? I read that JC stands for a 39 made in 38, but how about the rest of it? thanks again!!!

For the 1939 models, that started in production in the fall of 1938,
JA - Master Deluxe passenger car
JB - Master 85
JC - 1/2 Ton Truck
JD - 3/4 Ton Truck
JE - 1 Ton Truck
The number 42308 is unclear? It could be the sequence Petone Plant serial number for trucks since the plant open in 1926 or perhaps the 4 meant it was built in April with #2308 being the 2308 model year 1939 truck or 1939 vehicle built at the Petone Plant?

Thanks alot for that info, its great to finally know!