1956 VIN – Model – Series Identification

RPO = Regular Production Options

Serial Numbers locations

 

 

*ENGINE* *TRANSMISSION*
V8 Numbers = Top of Right Hand Bank at the front.
6 Cylinder Numbers = On boss at the rear of the distributor
3-speed conventional, overdrive and 4-speed = rear face.
3-speed Heavy Duty = left side at rear.
5-speed = right side rear bottom.
Automatic = left side at rear.

 

 

*REAR END* *VEHICLE*
Series 3100 = front face. All Other = top.
Forward Control = left hand side on steering column.
Flat Face Cowl = front face of cowl top panel.
All Other = body hinge pillar.

 

Vehicle Serial Numbers

Example: 3C56F 001234
3C = Series*, 56 = Year, F = Assembly Plant,
001234 = Unit Number beginning with 001001 at each plant regardless of Series.
* = The letter “V” prefix to the Series designation will identify models equipped with optional V-8 engine.

Series DesignationTon Series Wheel Base (in) Model Type
3A 1/2 3100 114 Flat Face Cowl Chassis, Cab Chassis, Pickup, Panel, Suburban W/S Cowl Chassis & Cameo
3B 1/2 3200 123.2 Cab Chassis, Pickup
3C 1/2 3400 104 Forward Control, Step Van
3D 3/4 3500 125 Forward Control, Step Van
3E 3/4 3600 123.2 Flat Face Cowl Chassis, Cab Chassis, Pickup, Stake & W/S Cowl Chassis
3F 1 3700 137 Forward Control, Step Van
3G 1 3800 135 Flat Face Cowl Chassis, Cab Chassis, Pickup, Panel, Stake & W/S Cowl Chassis
4A 1-1/2 4100 130 Flat Face Cowl Chassis, Cab Chassis, Stake & W/S Cowl Chassis
4B 1-1/2 4400 154 Flat Face Cowl Chassis, Cab Chassis, Stake & W/S Cowl Chassis
4C 1-1/2 4500 154 School Bus Chassis
5A 2 5100 112.6 Cab Chassis
5B 2 5400 136.6 Cab Chassis & Stake
5C 2 5700 160.6 Cab Chassis & Stake
5D 1-1/2HD 5100S 112.6 Cab Chassis
5E 1-1/2HD 5400S 136.6 Cab Chassis & Stake
5F 1-1/2HD 5700S 160.6 Cab Chassis
6A 2 6100 130 Flat Face Cowl Chassis, Cab Chassis, Stake & W/S Cowl Chassis
6B 2 6400 154 Flat Face Cowl Chassis, Cab Chassis, Stake & W/S Cowl Chassis
6C 2 6500 172 Flat Face Cowl Chassis, Cab Chassis & W/S Cowl Chassis
6D 2 6702 194 School Bus Chassis
6E 2 6800 220 School Bus Chassis
6F 1-1/2HD 6100S 130 Flat Face Cowl Chassis, Cab Chassis, Stake & W/S Cowl Chassis
6G 1-1/2HD 6400S 154 Flat Face Cowl Chassis, Cab Chassis, Stake & W/S Cowl Chassis
6H 1-1/2HD 6500S 172 Flat Face Cowl Chassis, Cab Chassis & W/S Cowl Chassis
7A 2-1/2 7100 112 Cab Chassis & Stake
7B 2-1/2 7200 124 Cab Chassis
7C 2-1/2 7700 172 Cab Chassis
8A 2-1/2 8100 132.5 Cab Chassis & Stake
8B 2-1/2 8200 144.5 Cab Chassis
8C 2-1/2 8400 @ 154.5 Cab Chassis & Stake
8D 2-1/2 8500 @ 174.5 Cab Chassis
8E 2-1/2 8700 @ 192.5 Cab Chassis
8F 2-1/2 8800 240 School Bus Chassis
9A 2-1/2 9100 112 Cab Chassis
9B 2-1/2 9200 124 Cab Chassis
9C 2-1/2 9700 172 Cab Chassis
10A 2-1/2 10100 132.5 Cab Chassis
10B 2-1/2 10200 144.5 Cab Chassis
10C 2-1/2 10400 @ 156.5 Cab Chassis
10D 2-1/2 10500 @ 174.5 Cab Chassis
10E 2-1/2 10700 @ 192.5 Cab Chassis
10F 2-1/2 10800 240 School Bus Chassis 
  	S = "Special" Model 
@ = Optional Tandem Axle Equipment is available on these models; 
for 8000 Series see RPO 682; for 10000 Series see RPO 467.
	Series 3000 = Light Duty
Series 4000, 5000, 6000, 6000S & 6000H  = Medium Duty
Series 7000, 8000, 9000 & 10000 = Heavy Duty
	ASSEMBLY PLANTS:
A = Atlanta
B = Baltimore
F = Flint
J = Janesville
K = Kansas City
L = Los Angeles
N = Norwood
O = Oakland
S = St. Louis
T = Tarrytown
W = Willow Run

Rear Axle Identification (Chevrolet)
Example: AF 2 12
AF = Type, series and assembly Plant designation
2 = Month
12 = Day of month

Axle numbers are stamped on the front or top of the Carrier.

Capacity (lbs) Type Ratios Series
3300 AF 3.90:1 31 and 3200 Regular Production
3300 AG 4.11:1 31 and 3200 with RPO 315
5000 CA 5.14:1 34-35-3700 Regular Production
5000 CB 5.14:1 34-35-37-3800 with RPO 299
5000 CC 4.57:1 3600 Regular Production with RPO’s 314-316-318
5000 CD 4.57:1 3600 with RPO 285
5000 CE 5.14:1 34-35-3700 with RPO’s 316-318-321
7200 CF 5.14:1 3800 Regular Production, (34-35-3700 RPO 205)
11000 CG 6.17:1 4000 Regular Production
11000 CH 6.17:1 50-70-8000 Regular Production (except 8800); (6000 with RPO 252)
13000 CJ 6.17:1 6000 Regular Production
15000 CM 7.20:1 5-6000 RPO 252
15000 CM 7.20:1 7-8000 (exc.8800) with RPO 252
15000 CM 7.20:1 8800-10800 Regular Production
15000 CL 6.40/8.71 50-60-70-8000 with RPO 201-415
30000 DA 7.20:1 10400-10500-10700 with Tandem Equipment RPO 476

Rear Axle Identification (Eaton)
Example: 7.17 001250 S-9460
7.17 = Ratio
001250 = Serial Number.
S-9460 = Eaton Spec. Number

Specification Number is stamped on the Housing Arm.
Ratio and Serial Numbers are stamped on the Carrier.

Capacity (lbs) Spec Numbers Ratios Series and Capacity
16000 S-9460 7.17:1 7000-8000(exc. 8800) RPO 467
16000 S-9460 7.17:1 9000-10000 (exc. 10800) Regular Production
16000 S-9460 7.17:1 10800 RPO 468
16000 S-9461 6.50/9.04:1 7000-8000 (exc. 8800) RPO 475
16000 S-9461 6.50/9.04:1 9000-10000 (exc. 10800) RPO 479
18000 S-9458 7.17:1 HD 9000-10000 (exc. 10800) RPO 468
18000 S-9459 6.50/8.87:1 9000-10000 (exc. 10800) RPO 479

Front Axle Identification

Make Capacity (lbs) I-Beam Height (average) Spec Series
Chevrolet 2200 2.09 31-3200
Chevrolet 2500 2.19 – 2.34 3600
Chevrolet 3500 2.19 – 2.34 3800
Chevrolet 4000 2.19 – 2.34 41-4400
Chevrolet 4000 2.44 – 2.59 34-35-3700
Chevrolet 4500 2.44 – 2.59 45-5000-61-6500 (RPO 41-4400)
Chevrolet 4750 2.44 – 2.59 6700-6800
Eaton 7000 3.25 70-80-90-10000

Engine Serial Numbers (Loadmaster Excluded)
Example: 001234 F 56 E
001234 = Unit Number starting with 001001 at each source; 6 & 8 cylinder engines are numbered separately.
F = Flint; T = Tonawanda.
56 = Year.
E = Type and Series designation.

Type Series Description
X 31-3200 Thriftmaster 235 with 3-speed (regular production)
XG 31-3200 Thriftmaster 235 with Hydramatic
VC 31-3200 Thriftmaster 235 with HD clutch
A 31-3200 Trademaster 265
B 31-3200 Trademaster 265 with Hydramatic Transmission
M 31-3200 Trademaster 265 with HD Clutch
W 34-35-3700 Thriftmaster 235 (regular production)
WA 34-35-3700 Thriftmaster 235 with Hydramatic Transmission
D 34-35-3700 Trademaster 265
DA 34-35-3700 Trademaster 265 with Hydramatic Transmission
DB 34-35-3700 Trademaster 265 with HD Clutch
XA 3600 Thriftmaster 235 (regular production)
XGA 3600 Thriftmaster 235 with Hydramatic Transmission
VA 3600 Thriftmaster 235 with HD Clutch
AA 3600 Trademaster 265.
BA 3600 Trademaster 265 with Hydramatic Transmission
MA 3600 Trademaster 265 with HD Clutch
XB 3800 Thriftmaster 235 (regular production)
XGB 3800 Thriftmaster 235 with Hydramatic Transmission
VB 3800 Thriftmaster 235 with HD Clutch
AB 3800 Trademaster 265
BB 3800 Trademaster 265 with Hydramatic Transmission
MB 3800 Trademaster 265 with HD Clutch
V 4000 Thriftmaster 235
XGC 41-4400 Thriftmaster 235 with Hydramatic Transmission
UA 4000 Thriftmaster HD 235 (regular production)
UD 41-4400 Thriftmaster HD 235 with Hydramatic Transmission
AC 4000 Trademaster 265 (Light Duty V8)
BC 41-4400 Trademaster 265 with Hydramatic Transmission
MC 4000 Trademaster 265 with HD Clutch
HA 4000 Taskmaster 265 (Heavy Duty V8)
E 5000 Taskmaster 265
EA 5000 Taskmaster 265 with Powermatic Transmission
U 6000 Thriftmaster 235
TA 6000 Jobmaster 261
TD 6000 Jobmaster 261 with Powermatic Transmission
H 6000 Taskmaster 265
JB 6000 Taskmaster 265 with Powermatic Transmission
K 7000 Taskmaster 265
KA 7000 Taskmaster 265 with Powermatic Transmission
KC 7000 Taskmaster 265 with AOHB
KD 7000 Taskmaster 265 with Powermatic Transmission and AOHB
KE 7000 Taskmaster 265 with 4BC
KF 7000 Taskmaster 265 with 4BC and Powermatic Transmission
KG 7000 Taskmaster 265 with 4BC, Powermatic Transmission and AOHB
KH 7000 Taskmaster 265 with 4BC and AAOHB
L 8000 Taskmaster 265
LA 8000 Taskmaster 265 with Powermatic Transmission
LC 8000 Taskmaster 265 with AOHB
LD 8000 Taskmaster 265 with Powermatic Transmission and AOHB
LE 8000 Taskmaster 265 with 4BC
LF 8000 Taskmaster 265 with 4BC and Powermatic Transmission
LG 8000 Taskmaster 265 with 4BC and AOHB
LH 8000 Taskmaster 265 with 4BC, Powermatic Transmission and AOHB

AOHB = Air Over Hydraulic Brakes

Loadmaster Engine Serial Numbers (322 cu. in. V8, Buick)
Example: CA2 – 001234
CA2 = Source and Designation
001234 = Unit Number starting with 001001

Type Series Description
CS2 9-10000 Loadmaster 322 V8
CA2 9-10000 Loadmaster 322 V8 with Powermatic Transmission
CS4 9-10000 Loadmaster 322 V8 with 4BC
CA4 9-10000 Loadmaster 322 V8 with 4BC and Powermatic Transmission

Transmission Identification

 

Three Speed Conventional and Overdrive
Example: M 2 28
M = Muncie; S = Saginaw
2 = Month
28 = Day of Month

Four Speed Syncro-Mesh
Example: T 2 28
T = Toledo
2 = Month
28 = Day of Month

 

Four Speed Automatic (Hydramatic)
Series 31-3200 – Orange Plate Color
Series 34-35-36-38-4000 – Black Plate Color

 
Three Speed Heavy Duty
Example: W B 28 6 2
W = Borg Warner 
B = Month (February)	
28 = Day of Month
6 = Year
2 = Shift


 		 
  
 
  
  
Five Speed Syncro-Mesh (New Process)
 Example: 2 28 6
 2 = Month.
 28 = Day of Month
 6 = Year
 		  
Five Speed Syncro-Mesh HD (Spicer)
 Example: D B 28 6
 D = Manufacture (Dana Corp)
 B = Month (February)
 28 = Day of Month
 6 = Year.
 
 
 		 
  
 
  
  
Six Speed Automatic (Powermatic)
 Series 61-64-6500 = Red Plate Color
 Series 50-70-80-90-10000 = Green Plate Color