asilly 0 Posted February 2, 2007 I am trying to find out how many letters, how many numbers, or total characteristics make up a 1940 Chevrolet passenger car VIN numbers. I have been told most 1940 passenger cars start with a number followed by a couple of letters with a hyphen and have a total of ten (10) characteristics. I recently bought a 1940 Chevy 2door sedan with a vin number starting with the letter A and having a total of seven characters. Is it possible for that to be a bona fide VIN number. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ed1972 0 Posted February 2, 2007 my vin i think is considered the body # and my 41 is 6 numbers and my style # is 2 numbers a hyphen and 4 numbers Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
CarlLaFong 384 Posted February 3, 2007 Cars from the 40s did not have a VIN. They had serial numbers assigned by the manufacturer. They were not standardized as they are now, so you can expect just about anything. I would ask the Chev board. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
De Soto Frank 4 Posted February 4, 2007 According to the 1935-'42 edition of the MoToR's shop manual, the serial numbers for 1940 Chevy were found "on right side of dash under cowl" ( I believe this is an aluminum plate screwed or rivetted to the cowl, on the engine side of the firewall; this is the case with Chevy trucks).The serials ran in the following series:Master Six: KB-1001 and up; solid front axleSpecial De Luxe Six: KA-1001 and up; "knee-action" independent front suspensionMaster De Luxe Six: KH-1001 and up; "knee-action" independent front suspensionThe numeric portion of the serial number probably did not exceed 5 digits (99999)Engine numbers are found stamped into a flat boss right behind the distributor; 1940 engine numbers ran from 2697268 to 3665902 ( and possibly had the KB/ KA/ KH model code preceeding the number).Hope you find "the right number"...It's almost useless to try to point out to motor vehicle administration clerks, but US cars & trucks made before 1970 do not have "V.I.N" numbers(the 14-digit number on the dash, in the lower -left corner of the windhsield)... they have a serial number; and some states used the engine number ( so if the engine was swapped-out, that can make for some fun). Good luck ! <img src="http://forums.aaca.org/images/graemlins/cool.gif" alt="" /> Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Edd Robinson 0 Posted September 9 My 1940 Chevrolet Master Deluxe has the following serial number. Could someone translate it for me? 21KH0213266 Thank you Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Spinneyhill 1,413 Posted September 10 (edited) 4 hours ago, Edd Robinson said: My 1940 Chevrolet Master Deluxe has the following serial number. Could someone translate it for me? 21KH0213266 Thank you Just ask the www and you might find it. Try here: http://chevy.oldcarmanualproject.com/models/ KH = 113" WB, Passenger (Master De Luxe) with Knee Action (open spring type). 21 is probably the plant at which it was manufactured. That is all OK. There is more here: https://www.stovebolt.com/techtips/39_40specs.html#vin 21 = Janesville, WI K = 1940, H = model; 02 = month built; 13266 = sequence number out of that plant. Edited September 10 by Spinneyhill (see edit history) Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Edd Robinson 0 Posted September 10 Thank you. The translation is great. And it helps to build a display for car shows and cruise nights. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Edd Robinson 0 Posted September 10 I also looking to see if I can narrow down what day in February of 1940 did my car come off the assembly line. Given that the production # is 13266, the question is how many car where being produced per day and when did production start on the 1940 cars? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
mercer09 923 Posted September 11 just pulled out 3 random 40 titles............ 2 have 10 digits and one has 11 digits- all are KA all give engine numbers, which vary greatly Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
David Castillo 0 Posted Tuesday at 10:59 PM I need VIN numbers for my 1940 4 door special deluxe. The car doesn't have any and CHP won't issue me any. Please help Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Vila 124 Posted Wednesday at 05:21 PM (edited) Did you look for the serial number plate mounted on the floor just below the right front corner of the front seat and under the floor mat just inside the door sill. That is where it is located on my 1933 Chevrolet and that is where the info I found on google showed it when I did an image search of "where is a 1940 Chevrolet serial number located" Edited Wednesday at 05:24 PM by Vila (see edit history) Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
David Castillo 0 Posted Wednesday at 05:34 PM Yes nothing there. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
3macboys 70 Posted yesterday at 01:26 AM If this is any help. The first column is the VIN the second is the engine number Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
David Castillo 0 Posted yesterday at 01:57 AM Thank you so much. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Ben Bruce aka First Born 2,872 Posted yesterday at 01:25 PM 11 hours ago, 3macboys said: If this is any help. The first column is the VIN the second is the engine number Wow. Some book! Ben Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
3macboys 70 Posted yesterday at 01:57 PM 29 minutes ago, Ben Bruce aka First Born said: Wow. Some book! I picked it up in a huge lot of service manuals- this one is a keeper. I just looked it up on Amazon and after seeing the price there I'd say keep an eye out in used booked stores for a copy. Great reference piece. Don 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites