The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network







Register or Log In To remove these advertisements.

Go Back   The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network > 47 - Current classic GM Trucks > The 1947 - 1959 Chevrolet & GMC Pickups Message Board

Web 67-72chevytrucks.com


Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
Old 03-05-2018, 12:30 PM   #1
decodan
C-20 Long Stroker
 
decodan's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: Frohna, MO
Posts: 137
Bought "new" 1951 Suburban, need title help

Hey everyone,
Just picked up a new project, 1951 Suburban. Trying to get title changed but running in to a little issue. The Burb is an original CA car which used the engine serial number as the VIN number. However the engine number now does not match the number on the title. I am guessing the engine was replaced at some point. My question is can someone help with the two different numbers.

Number on title is JBA494609

Number on engine behind distributor is DCA338423

Please help id years of the numbers and any other in info available.

I have looked online but cannot find anything. Thanks in advance, Dan
__________________
"A Hand Shake Is Your Word."
Decodan
************************
1951 Chevrolet Suburban
1952 GMC Suburban
1963 Mercury Comet 2-dr (Sorry, I know)
1963 Mercury Comet 2-dr Parts Car, (better than what I originally started with)
2010 F-150 4WD
2015 Subaru Outback (what the hey, got to have one that is not a gas hog)
decodan is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-05-2018, 01:31 PM   #2
Az. Hank
Registered User
 
Az. Hank's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: Fort Mohave, Arizona
Posts: 207
Re: Bought "new" 1951 Suburban, need title help

Is there a vin # on the chassis or body that matches?
__________________
My 55 Build 55 C-4
Az. Hank is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-05-2018, 02:01 PM   #3
Second Series
Registered User
 
Second Series's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2015
Location: Tukwila Washington
Posts: 371
Re: Bought "new" 1951 Suburban, need title help

http://chevy.oldcarmanualproject.com/models/engine.htm
JBA is 1951 Series 3100, 216ci Truck Engine and DCA is ? 1946 second design made in Flint Michigan, according to this webpage. I bought a truck in Texas with no title and no engine. I had to put an engine in it to get a title issued. I swapped that engine out and then moved to Washington. I got a Washington title. Years later I wanted to clear up the paperwork. I drove to the state inspection and told them my story, there were no records of the number on the title, or on the ID plate, so the officer issued me a new title that matched the ID plate. I was honest about the situation and the outcome was positive. Good luck.
Second Series is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-05-2018, 02:10 PM   #4
joedoh
Senior Member
 
joedoh's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2007
Location: Doodah Kansas
Posts: 7,746
Re: Bought "new" 1951 Suburban, need title help

I agree with second series, call the DMV and be honest. kudos to you for straightening it out before working on it, most people take a done truck with no paperwork and cry a lot. a pretty truck is more suspect than a dirty one with rat nests!

most states titled on the engine number, and I guarantee they have run into this before. there will be a plate on the door jamb that has the body number on it, get it titled by that number!
__________________
the mass of men live lives of quiet desperation


if there is a problem, I can have it.

new project WAYNE http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=844393
joedoh is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-05-2018, 04:45 PM   #5
mr48chev
Registered User
 
mr48chev's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: Toppenish, WA
Posts: 15,246
Re: Bought "new" 1951 Suburban, need title help

Joedoh pretty well nailed it. Talk to the dmv and I'd suggest going as high on their food chain as you can get.

The engine number being from an older model might not be as big of a red flag as and engine number that is the same year as the burb in that it is obvious that it was changed and you aren't trying to pass off the burb with a title that didn't come with it.

If it has the old tags that match the title or match old registration slips that might be a plus especially if the nuts and bolts are rusted to show they have been there for years without being disturbed. Meaning that no one recently bought a title to try to pass off as belonging to that rig.

You might try and see if they will to Title purpose only on it on the transfer if it doesn't now run and drive so it can be driven in to be inspected or at least driven off the trailer to be inspected. Then you would just have to have a current inspection and proof of insurance when you are ready to tag it.
__________________
Founding member of the too many projects, too little time and money club.

My ongoing truck projects:
48 Chev 3100 that will run a 292 Six.
71 GMC 2500 that is getting a Cad 500 transplant.
77 C 30 dualie, 454, 4 speed with a 10 foot flatbed and hoist. It does the heavy work and hauls the projects around.
mr48chev is online now   Reply With Quote
Old 03-05-2018, 04:45 PM   #6
decodan
C-20 Long Stroker
 
decodan's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: Frohna, MO
Posts: 137
Re: Bought "new" 1951 Suburban, need title help

Thank you all.

There is a plate on the door but California used the engine number in the 50s as the VIN. I called DMV and asked if they could use the door plate number. I have to set up an appointment with State Police for inspection. They will issue new VIN if it is not stolen which I am not worried about. It is a one owner, I bought it from the daughter after her father passed. He bought it new. There were registration papers in glove box from 60s and 70s with the license tag number, and that is the tag number on the car still.

Paid a pretty high price but I spent more than the cost of this one repairing rust on my 1952 GMC Suburban, which is almost done.

Thanks again for the engine info, maybe if I relay that to police it will help. Why would someone steel a 46 engine to put in a 51. I get a 261 if I could find one.
Thanks, Dan
__________________
"A Hand Shake Is Your Word."
Decodan
************************
1951 Chevrolet Suburban
1952 GMC Suburban
1963 Mercury Comet 2-dr (Sorry, I know)
1963 Mercury Comet 2-dr Parts Car, (better than what I originally started with)
2010 F-150 4WD
2015 Subaru Outback (what the hey, got to have one that is not a gas hog)
decodan is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-05-2018, 04:54 PM   #7
mongocanfly
Post Whore

 
mongocanfly's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2015
Location: Alabama
Posts: 14,558
Re: Bought "new" 1951 Suburban, need title help

you do know we need pictures don't you?
__________________
Mongo...aka Greg

RIP Dad
RIP Jesse

1981 C30 LQ9 NV4500..http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=753598
Mongos AD- LS3 TR6060...http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...34#post8522334
Columbus..the 1957 IH 4x4...http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...63#post8082563
2023 Chevy Z71..daily driver
mongocanfly is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-05-2018, 04:54 PM   #8
b-mac
Registered User
 
b-mac's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2014
Location: Wichita
Posts: 516
Re: Bought "new" 1951 Suburban, need title help

Kansas DMV led me to the Highway Patrol, who were super helpful. Start making phone calls, and asking questions in the most polite way possible...worked for me.
b-mac is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-05-2018, 05:05 PM   #9
decodan
C-20 Long Stroker
 
decodan's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: Frohna, MO
Posts: 137
Re: Bought "new" 1951 Suburban, need title help

Here are a few pictures. The 1951 Chevrolet Suburban and the 1952 GMC Suburban. The 51 will be stock. The 52 is a complete restomod.





__________________
"A Hand Shake Is Your Word."
Decodan
************************
1951 Chevrolet Suburban
1952 GMC Suburban
1963 Mercury Comet 2-dr (Sorry, I know)
1963 Mercury Comet 2-dr Parts Car, (better than what I originally started with)
2010 F-150 4WD
2015 Subaru Outback (what the hey, got to have one that is not a gas hog)
decodan is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-05-2018, 05:16 PM   #10
mongocanfly
Post Whore

 
mongocanfly's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2015
Location: Alabama
Posts: 14,558
Re: Bought "new" 1951 Suburban, need title help

very nice....
__________________
Mongo...aka Greg

RIP Dad
RIP Jesse

1981 C30 LQ9 NV4500..http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=753598
Mongos AD- LS3 TR6060...http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...34#post8522334
Columbus..the 1957 IH 4x4...http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...63#post8082563
2023 Chevy Z71..daily driver
mongocanfly is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-05-2018, 09:57 PM   #11
1project2many
Registered User
 
Join Date: Mar 2012
Location: Lakes Region NH
Posts: 3,149
Re: Bought "new" 1951 Suburban, need title help

Agreed. Very nice.
1project2many is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-05-2018, 10:47 PM   #12
vintovka
Registered User
 
vintovka's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2016
Location: Hunkered Down
Posts: 1,771
Re: Bought "new" 1951 Suburban, need title help

Quote:
Originally Posted by decodan View Post
Thank you all.

There is a plate on the door but California used the engine number in the 50s as the VIN.
Old news to many but mine came with orig engine. Both the door VIN and the engine VIN were exactly the same. I recently registered it in OR. Our DMV inspected the well worn original door VIN and called it good. They couldn't care less about the engine.

I may add yours is very nice. Brings back memories of traveling from LA to SF to PA and then Upstate NY in a 52 suburban. Lived, slept, drove and did other memorable accomplishments in that old vehicle. I understand its still where i left it in 1969 --- being used a horse feed shed near Seneca Falls NY.

Last edited by vintovka; 03-05-2018 at 10:53 PM.
vintovka is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply

Bookmarks

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off

Forum Jump


All times are GMT -4. The time now is 02:08 AM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.11
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions Inc.
Copyright 1997-2022 67-72chevytrucks.com