1961 M37 new to me but I see a problem

[Gibbser]

I purchased a 1961 M37, my first. Once I got it home I started doing more research, the VIN tag is on the door, and instead of M37 it says M201. So first thing I do is go and measure the wheelbase to see if it is 126" but nope, its 112". So I go looking at the frame in front of the driver wheel to see what the VIN says....heavily painted of course but it looks like someone did a grind job, I am going to clean up the spot with a wire brush in the morning but I am now worried that I got a VIN and title from a donor, which normally wouldn't upset me on this old of a vehicle but its not the right donor title.

Am I over thinking this, did the M201 come in a short wheelbase? My knowledge ends where the Google universe takes me on this subject. I have not taken the title into the DMV yet to get it registered, should I find a junked M37 with title and make the swap?

Gibbser

 

[Evil Dr. Porkchop]

m201 is a long wheelbase only, things have definitely been changed around. Data tag should be on the map compartment door, and as you know the serial number should be on the frame as well.

 

[NDT]

DMV does not care about the M designation. If the frame VIN does not match the title, you can retitle the truck via bonded title. If the frame number matches the title but the dash plate is wrong, contact Vintage Power Wagons for a blank plate.

 

[Gibbser]

Was there any real tracking of VIN numbers? The frame has its VIN still I am just wondering if this is actually a 1961, any way that the VIN would tell that? The VIN on the title and the VIN on the frame do not match, had to use a wire wheel to clean off the paint but its still there.

 

[Evil Dr. Porkchop]

Was there any real tracking of VIN numbers? The frame has its VIN still I am just wondering if this is actually a 1961, any way that the VIN would tell that? The VIN on the title and the VIN on the frame do not match, had to use a wire wheel to clean off the paint but its still there.

You probably can find the year without issue. There is a database of over a thousand trucks on g741.org. If you also post up some pictures of the truck that can help a little bit, most parts that tell the year are parts that can be changed but there are some production differences between early and later trucks.

 

[Gibbser]

Thanks for all the responses, I am going to do the right thing and get a bonded title. I want to get this thing titled correctly with the right information. Thanks again!!