Hi Folks,
I bought a 51 Styleline Special Spt. Cpe from a guy in Kansas back in 2001 as a builder. As I restore it, I've been curious as to the car's history (who owned it, where, etc.). While cleaning out the inside, I stumbled upon a dealer envelope from Miller Bros Chevrolet in NE and SD (they had 4 dealers). I contacted the KS,SD, and NE DMVs, paid my fees and had title searches done. I was only able to find the guy who sold it to my seller in KS and he was unwilling to tell me anything. The SD and NE searches came up empty. So here's my question--I used the body number (51-1227) to search in KS because that's on my title and had a little luck. The NE search turned up one owner using that number too , which was not my car. I then tried searching for the serial number (5JJ-C 6504) and again came up empty in SD and NE. Does anybody out there know what numbers the States used back in the 50's? Did it differ by state? Did they use the body number and Serial number, or one or the other?? I've run into a dead end. I wonder if anyone else has info on how to search for a car's owners? The guy's story about finding his dad's 65 Chevy inspired me. I don't have the buckolas to hire a private det..
Oh, and btw--if anyone KNOWS this car, please contact me!!

Thanks

Most states for vehicles prior to ~ '55 used the engine number on the title. That may get you more information.

Was that the casting number (starts with "38----"??

Should be stamped on a raised boss next to the distributor. You can see it just to the left of the distributor on my '38.

Thanks for the great photo , Tiny.
I see it. Unfortunately, my car didn't have the original motor in it when I bought it--someone swapped in a '52 235 in. I guess I could have tried it anyway, but I scrapped it and installed a '54 235 so that avenue is closed to me.
Very informative though. Thanks again.

One more thing--you'd be interested to know I bought the car in Geneseo, Kansas--probably not far from you! The previous owner before my seller was in Lyons, KS.

Hope you haven't gotten much snow yet on the plains.

Happy Holidays.

One more dumb question--did GM provide engine numbers anywhere else other than the engine block? As my car didn't have the original engine, would I be able to find that number elsewhere in the car? Otherwise, I guess I'm s.o.l..

Thanks

My engine number is written in some service literature found in the glove box.

You're lucky. No love there for me. My glove box only had rat poop and a gazillion holes in it!!
Thanks anyway.