 jcurtis200
Silver Supporting Member
Posts: 5
Reg: 01-01-25
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01-16-25 08:19 AM - Post#2877121
Just talked my dad out of his old '53 (that's what he tells me) Chevy truck and wanted to confirm the year / model. The registration plate on the side of the driver door panel has the Serial No. 5UK D 1957
Checked the site chevy.oldcarmanualproject.com/models/serial.htm but I can't get the Serial No to tie out to a '53. Maybe a '51? Looking for help from anyone with better knowledge of what this Serial No means.
BTW - pretty sure the 1957 is the sequence number (they start at 1001) so this is likely the 957th truck off the line. Thanks!
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 RAM_51
"8th Year" Silver Supporting Member
Posts: 6800
Loc: Yakima, WA. USA
Reg: 12-28-02
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01-16-25 09:01 AM - Post#2877122
In response to jcurtis200
I only see the "UK" designation being used in 1951. And that, for the 1-1/2 Ton trucks. I'm getting this information from my 1961 edition of CHEVROLET Parts and Accessories Catalog - Body. The "5" would be a Kansas City built truck and the "D" signifying an April built truck. You are correct, the 1957 would be the Unit Number. 1951 was the only year that had both wing vents and pull down exterior handles...so you can check that as well. 1953 had fixed push button exterior door handles.
On my 1953 2 Ton, these numbers (which include the year - "53") run horizonatlly along the lower edge of the plate, while on my 1947, they run veritically along the left edge of the plate. I'm not sure how they were doing it in 1951.
1951 Fleetline Preservation
'51 Fleetline DeLuxe, POWERglide 2-DR (Fathom Green)
'51 Styleline Special BUSINESS COUPE (Shadow Gray)
'53 6500 Dump Bed (Faded Red)
'50 Styleline DeLuxe 4-DR (Mist Green) |
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jcurtis200
Silver Supporting Member
Posts: 5
Reg: 01-01-25
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01-16-25 10:13 AM - Post#2877125
In response to RAM_51
Thanks for the quick reply.
The numbers run horizontally on the bottom of the plate (the plate is mounted sideways). The plate lists a Max Gross Weight of 14000 lbs.
The truck has pull down exterior handles but no wing vents.
Best guess is it's the 4400 model.
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RAM_51
"8th Year" Silver Supporting Member
Posts: 6800
Loc: Yakima, WA. USA
Reg: 12-28-02
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01-16-25 10:57 AM - Post#2877126
In response to jcurtis200
If the truck is orignial (the doors could have easily been replaced with earlier doors that did not have the wing vent), the front bumper is of a "U" channel construction with a single rib on the 1-1/2 Ton and 2 Ton trucks, and a simple dished bumper on 1 ton and below models. Note the construction of the bumper on my 1947 2 Ton. As I mentioned, this type of bumper was used on 1-1/2 and 2 Ton trucks.
1951 Fleetline Preservation
'51 Fleetline DeLuxe, POWERglide 2-DR (Fathom Green)
'51 Styleline Special BUSINESS COUPE (Shadow Gray)
'53 6500 Dump Bed (Faded Red)
'50 Styleline DeLuxe 4-DR (Mist Green) |
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jcurtis200
Silver Supporting Member
Posts: 5
Reg: 01-01-25
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01-16-25 11:55 AM - Post#2877127
In response to RAM_51
I'm reasonable sure the doors are original. It does have a wing vent below the windshield - center of the truck/hood but just small slit vents on the sides near the doors. Thanks again for the response!
I just signed up to attached pics but looks like it takes a little time to add that feature. I'll attach asap.
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RAM_51
"8th Year" Silver Supporting Member
Posts: 6800
Loc: Yakima, WA. USA
Reg: 12-28-02
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01-16-25 12:45 PM - Post#2877128
In response to jcurtis200
A "UK" serial number would have been a 1951 body. The only thing that comes close to that is "QK" which is 1947 or"VK", which is 1952. Maybe the top of the "Q" did not stamp completely? In 1951, the left cab side vent would have been eliminated in leu of the door glass wing vents. Maybe any photos you post can clear this up.
1951 Fleetline Preservation
'51 Fleetline DeLuxe, POWERglide 2-DR (Fathom Green)
'51 Styleline Special BUSINESS COUPE (Shadow Gray)
'53 6500 Dump Bed (Faded Red)
'50 Styleline DeLuxe 4-DR (Mist Green) |
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jcurtis200
Silver Supporting Member
Posts: 5
Reg: 01-01-25
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01-16-25 03:17 PM - Post#2877135
In response to RAM_51
Would love your input but I'm beginning to think the truck is a '51 rather than a '53.
Edited by jcurtis200 on 01-16-25 03:25 PM. Reason for edit: No reason given.
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RAM_51
"8th Year" Silver Supporting Member
Posts: 6800
Loc: Yakima, WA. USA
Reg: 12-28-02
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01-16-25 04:42 PM - Post#2877139
In response to jcurtis200
The truck has pull down exterior handles but no wing vents.
"UK" and it does have wing vents in the doors...it IS a 1951 1½ Ton.
1951 Fleetline Preservation
'51 Fleetline DeLuxe, POWERglide 2-DR (Fathom Green)
'51 Styleline Special BUSINESS COUPE (Shadow Gray)
'53 6500 Dump Bed (Faded Red)
'50 Styleline DeLuxe 4-DR (Mist Green) |
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jcurtis200
Silver Supporting Member
Posts: 5
Reg: 01-01-25
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01-16-25 06:32 PM - Post#2877141
In response to RAM_51
Good info. Thanks for filling in the blanks!
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RAM_51
"8th Year" Silver Supporting Member
Posts: 6800
Loc: Yakima, WA. USA
Reg: 12-28-02
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01-17-25 02:21 AM - Post#2877151
In response to jcurtis200
This image is from a 1951 Chevrolet truck brochure and features the truck you have. The small trianglar window in the door is what more accurately, Chevrolet called; ventilator panes. I call them "wing vents".
1951 Fleetline Preservation
'51 Fleetline DeLuxe, POWERglide 2-DR (Fathom Green)
'51 Styleline Special BUSINESS COUPE (Shadow Gray)
'53 6500 Dump Bed (Faded Red)
'50 Styleline DeLuxe 4-DR (Mist Green) |
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