1960 Pick up VIN location

[GMCNUT]

So to speak to the purpose of the two VIN tag holes in a 1000 series GMC trucks' door frame; they are stamped out as part of the manufacturing process for that piece of sheetmetal which was indeed used on constructing Chevrolet cabs, and larger series GMC's where a different type of VIN plate may have been used. I checked my 1960 parts truck and it came with the kick panel tag and I also called a friend who is a local expert on early "knee knocker" trucks and he's never seen a 1960 GMC with a door post VIN plate. So, unless someone can provide proof of a US made (Mexican or Canadian assembly plant produced trucks very well might have had a door pillar mounted tag) 1960 1000 series pickup coming with a door pillar mounted tag I think its safe to say that all 1960 1000 series trucks have the kick panel mounted VIN plate like the 55-59 trucks had. 1961 is when I believe GMC went to the slimmer tag mounted on the door jamb.

[David R Leifheit]

Originally Posted by AngryPirate

I just grabbed one of these on ebay. Not sure if original or reprint.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/182346385693...%3AMEBIDX%3AIT

It figures. I quit looking for a while and one turns up. Not only that, but for a good price (I see another one listed for $49, not "affordable") Congrats.
You will probably want the X-6023 as well though.

[AZKen]

Originally Posted by GMCNUT

So to speak to the purpose of the two VIN tag holes in a 1000 series GMC trucks' door frame; they are stamped out as part of the manufacturing process for that piece of sheetmetal which was indeed used on constructing Chevrolet cabs, and larger series GMC's where a different type of VIN plate may have been used. I checked my 1960 parts truck and it came with the kick panel tag and I also called a friend who is a local expert on early "knee knocker" trucks and he's never seen a 1960 GMC with a door post VIN plate. So, unless someone can provide proof of a US made (Mexican or Canadian assembly plant produced trucks very well might have had a door pillar mounted tag) 1960 1000 series pickup coming with a door pillar mounted tag I think its safe to say that all 1960 1000 series trucks have the kick panel mounted VIN plate like the 55-59 trucks had. 1961 is when I believe GMC went to the slimmer tag mounted on the door jamb.

I agree but I gave up, not worth it. The "proof" is hard to come by because there are 61's titled as 60's and, as I said, almost impossible to tell. Same motor, same series and so on. Especially with no title. The theory of different methods at different factories is weak in my opinion. You will find different methods at SAME factory, Then what do you say? Are you going to say that at the same factory they made two styles of tags in 1960 and workers had two different build instructions for 1960? More than likely a pillar tag 60 is a late 1960 build which was build like a 61. Is a 61, but titled/registered in 1960. As far as attitude, because I knew 60 had kick panel I thought poster was trying to pull a fast one on DMV. Thinking that he should have been able to get a title if truck had already been registered as he posted. So there would be a record of this truck and it's VIN in Texas. No mention of why no title or bill of sale. That was fishy to me. I guess he was not scamming, just not understanding his is not a 60. I guess Snazzypig and GMCNUT are wrong also.

[Funky61]

I wonder when was the last year those VIN plate holes were punched?

Could it be that the first location ended up being a bad spot and the plates would vibrate over time and fall off or the rivets were weak?
I see they got moved to the top part of the cab later on. Rivets on mine look cheap compared to the rosette style.

My 61 Suburban only has the kick panel plate. The two holes in the front pillar look clean and unused, but the truck did have a cheap repaint in it's past.
I'm the 3rd owner and the 2nd owner gave me original owner's old receipts and registration from 1975 showing it as 1961 model year. I have repair receipts going back as far as 1970 with the original owners name, listing it as a 1961.

First thing I tried to find was build sheet but no dice. I even looked on top of the gas tank. The original owner is still alive (89y.o., I think ) and I tried to call him but nobody picked up.

Either way 60 or 61 is all good with me

[AZKen]

Funky: Actual Mileage, wow, that's nice. Date first sold 00/00/61 is weird? I wonder if yours is a left over 60? We can now call this post a Trivia Post. Your rivets are correct for 60. Other 61 trucks show a different style. Rivets were under evolution as were plates.

Anyway the holes were punched in that upper A pillar section at the Pontiac MI GM truck assembly plant which built GMC AND Chevy assemblies. Most of the cab parts were interchangeable, would have holes for Chevy and GMC plate locations and would all be designed to accommodate Chevy or GMC dash sections. The Pontiac East Plant was on a massive GM campus which included the Metal Stamping Plant (Pontiac Metal Center). The Pontiac East was shut down and some plants were demolished on the property in 2009. "The shutdown of the last assembly plant in what was once a central production hub of GM is part of the forced bankruptcy and restructuring of the US automaker by the Obama administration". GM filled bankruptcy in 2009, was restructured (bailed out) and in 2015 was said to be spending huge money to renew the Pontiac metal stamping plant where many of our trucks were built. It has taken all this time to recover from the past "economy". We, the people, spent $50 BILLION to bailout GM and recovered all but $10.3B. We bailed out Chrysler too. Ford did not ask for our money.


RE: 60-61 ID.
Pictures of a particular truck in question including dash colors and the trim could possibly give some clues.
Windshield/glass code/dates, and other small indicators could maybe, possibly distinguish a 60 from 61. Wheels would, hub caps would, heater maybe.

[gmccollector]

Hub caps would ?

[AZKen]

Thinking of Chevy.

[AZKen]

So here is a picture of a truck from a member that is said to be 1961 and it's caption. This is what I said about same factory, different location does not make since. This could be a 1960 as the owner sort of indicates.
Same factory as poster. Kick panel location....and he has the unused pillar holes. This is a %100 nice original truck. Notice the rivet style also.

Caption:
"VIN 1001PN19787A breaks down as 10 = 1000 series, 01 = 115"; wheelbase, P = Pontiac, Michigan assembly plant, N was used for the 1960 & 1961 model years depending on when the truck was sold & titled new."

[AZKen]

One more bit: I only have Chevy info, sorry. But it does give insight to GM thinking on plates and has to be included to beat the horse dead. All 1/2T info.

Source: GM Heritage Center/Vehicle Information Kits

1960 no mention
1961 RPO 399 "Special Serial Number Plate"
1962 STD equipment "GVW Plate 5000 Lbs"
1963 STD equipment "GVW Plate 5000 Lbs"
1964 Index lists Regular Production Equipment p 6, no p 6.
1964 RPO Z55 "Special Serial Number Plate"
1965 STD equipment "GVW Plate 5000 Lbs" and RPO (no number) "Serial Number Plate (State of Pennsylvania)"
1966 STD equipment "GVW Plate 5000 Lbs" and RPO Z55K "Serial Number Plate (State of Pennsylvania)"

[jimjaz]

Hey there Angry Pirate!. and welcome to the site.

I (still) have a '63 GMC Suburban that I bought from my Dad in Feb 1973, and the VIN plate, or serial number, is in the same place as the pic you posted from Jolly's legacy page. The page does state that this ID plate should be in the location that is shown- outside of the door weatherstrip seal and about halfway up from the dogleg. Your 60 truck has the plate in the same location as my 63, and Jolly's info that he provided matches up for 60-63 as the right location. Also checked my K-1000 Suburban, and this VIN plate is in the same location. I've attached a picture showing this.

I do remember reading some time ago that Chevy trucks had the truck ID stamped on the driver side frame rail as you stated, but GMC trucks had no such stamping on the frame. This agrees with the several 62-66 GMC trucks I have owned over the last 40-plus years.

Good luck with your truck!

Jim