And i spoke to the DMV again today. The guy that sent me the letter found the original title work and verified that that number was on the paperwork just in the incorrect spot. So my new title with the matching VIN is in the mail.. Thanks for the help

 

No such thing as a VIN plate on trucks until 1980 (cars had one beginning in 1968). The VIN plate is located on the left corner of the dash, visible thru the windshield.

1948/60: Rating Plate located on the inside of the glove box door, has the VIN and etc. codes stamped on it.

1948 and newer trucks (1949 and newer cars) are registered by their specific VIN (Vehicle Identification Number) which registers the entire vehicle.

The last 5 digits of the VIN (1948/60) is the Numerical Sequence of Assembly, the trucks specific serial number. 1961 thru today: The last 6 digits of the VIN is the serial number.

1947 and earlier Ford trucks were registered by their engine number which was also stamped on the hogshead.

The problem was, if the engine was changed, the numbers no longer matched.

 

But it seems that the NHTSA agrees with my comment

 

I think you're both agreeing. There were VINs, but not VIN Plates.

 

No Joe, according to the NHTSA the FIRST VINs appeared in 1954. The Patent plate calls it a 'Serial Number' while the rating plate still called it the Engine number.

 

OK. I'm staying out of it...

 

Ford trucks: It all has to do with the year, for example:

What is the difference between a 1953 11 digit VIN & a 1954 11 digit VIN?

What is the difference between a 1948 11 digit VIN & a 1949 11 digit VIN?

Just because some auto makers didn't have a VIN until 1954, doesn't mean that no one else did.

Les Kelley, the largest used car dealer in the world and a Ford dealer at 1225 S. Figueroa Street in downtown LA (where Staples Center & the L/A Convention Center is located today) came up with the VIN system.

 

Well my 1950 F5 has a 10 digit Serial number, not 11.
I have read a lot about Les Kelly and his history in the used car business and later as a Ford dealer. I read how he left the car business in the 50's rather than move and devoted his full attention to the Kelly Blue book company. however I have been unable to find anything about him having anything to do with the VIN system.

 

If your family was in the autobiz in the 1940's/1950's, and/or you had owned dozens of 1940's/1950's vehicles, you'd know more about VIN's.

Look on your engine block and the hogshead for a VIN. There isn't one, as it's stamped on the Rating Plate.

1947 and earlier trucks were registered by their engine numbers, the number was also stamped on the hogshead.

But if the engine was changed, the numbers no longer matched. Since Les Kelley was the largest used car dealer in the world, he fixed the problem, coming up with the VIN system.

Les Kelley introduced Blue Books in the 1930's, were used by dealers, banks and other lending institutions to establish the loan value % based on the wholesale prices of vehicles.

I have dozens of 1930/70's blue books, passed along by my grandfather, then by my dad as they owned an Olds dealership.

I've owned...at least 60...1940/50's cars. Packard's predominated, but also owned FoMoCo cars, GM cars, several Chryslers and Studebakers.

Since 1956, I've owned 335 vehicles, not too many other people have owned as many, unless they were in the autobiz.

 

Bill, I know that you have been saying for a long time that Les Kelly came up with the VIN system, but there does not seem to be any documentation out there to verify that. All references to the VIN system history that I have seen, places it beginning in 1954.
BTW, Les Kelly started distributing his price list to dealers and banks in the early 1920's and began publishing the Kelly Blue Book in 1926.

 

Sample 1953 F100 VIN: F10D3R10001 / Sample 1954 F100 VIN: F10D4R10001.

F10 = F100 / D = 215 I-6 (1953) & 223 I-6 (1954) / 3 = 1953 / 4 = 1954 / R = 1953/55 Richmond CA (R = San Jose CA 1956/80's) / 10001 Numerical Sequence of Assembly.

Packard VIN introduced in 1955, previous years were registered by their engine numbers. 1940/54: 5 main bearing straight 8's used a different engine number than 9 main bearing straight 8's.

1955 sample Packard VIN's: 5580-5582 (Patrician 4 door sedan); 5580-5587 (400 2dr H/T); 5580-5588 (Caribbean Convertible).

 

I thought VINs came out later (1980 for trucks 1968 for cars)

 

It's all here:
https://sizes.com/society/vehicle_id...on_numbers.htm