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Old 10-11-2024, 10:45 PM   #1
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Join Date: Oct 2024
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Blue Bird VINs

Hi there! I have a 1966 Dodge D400-based Blue Bird bus which I just got a couple of weeks ago. I've added it to the registry.

I am trying to figure out which set of numbers is the VIN, because somewhere long ago the bus ceased being registered for driving. This bus being from the 60s is not making it easy, but from what I've been able to research thus far, it seems like Blue Bird was just using the Body Number as the VIN? In my searching I found a picture online of one VIN tag allegedly from a 1960s Blue Bird and beside what was clearly a body number it said 'VIN'.

Here in BC, vehicles are registered via the provincial government insurance company, ICBC. I'm hoping to figure out the VIN so I can get proper registration papers and liability insurance put on it for now, and then maybe drive it later. I know prior to 1981 VIN numbers weren't always 17 digits. I could just register the body number or the Dodge serial number off the chassis tag, but it's a lot easier if I have continuity to whatever ICBC has on file. It would be problematic if the bus were from out of province - the VIN would clear that up. Their files go back to the 1940s, so if I can get the right number I should be able to register again with minimal fuss.

unclefalter is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-11-2024, 10:50 PM   #2
Bus Nut
 
Join Date: Mar 2021
Location: Central Kentucky
Posts: 662
Coachwork: Busless for now
Welcome to the family, Uncle.

I wish i could help with the Canadian legal stuff, but I'm just a simple uneducated hillbilly.

There are some smart folks here from north of the border that may be able to help.

Good people here.
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Old 10-12-2024, 03:17 PM   #3
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Many thanks! I think all I'm after is 'what is the VIN?' on these 60s Blue Birds. Google is not super helpful on that. It's totally possible this bus is registered under some other VIN - possibly one I haven't found yet, or you can also apply with older vehicles for an ICBC assigned VIN.
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Old 10-12-2024, 03:28 PM   #4
Skoolie
 
Join Date: Dec 2023
Location: North Georgia
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Year: 1992
Coachwork: Thomas (Thomas Vista)
Chassis: International 3600
Engine: DT360
Rated Cap: 60
on '61-'71 D series trucks the VSN plate was on the driver sides door lock pillar..uncle had a '68 as a farm truck, I also think they had them stamped on the chassis. Check the outward facing side of the frame located above the front right leaf spring. Hope this helps some and welcome to our little mad house!
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Old 10-12-2024, 03:34 PM   #5
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Many thanks! I think I found such a tag on the firewall, but on the passenger side (maybe different for Canada?)

It reads: Serial: S4L2971982 Also says Trans 4 SPD NP 435 W.B. 157
can't read the next label but the number is 16000, then RR Axle 6.83 CHRY RA 115, CAP 11500, there's a blank label, then FRT AXLE CAP 5000, FRT SPRG CAP 2500.. unreadable 7500, think the next one is HP AT RPM Net 165-3900, GROSS 202-3900

I've tried using various 1960s medium duty chrysler truck sites to decode my VIN but they all start with numbers. 14 for example is D400, I'm guessing S4 denotes school bus use or something. These are all Canadian issued so who knows what applies vs the US.

That said, I'm not sure if that's what's considered the ultimate VIN when it's a Blue Bird. In some Blue Bird documentation I found, they say prior to 1994 the sequence number for VIN purposes was the 'Body number', which I have on a separate 'Canadian Blue Bird' tag as C-62629. That same number is also stamped by itself near the doorway.

Blue Bird is really hard to pin down once you go beyond the 1970s it seems.
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Old 10-16-2024, 06:25 PM   #6
Mini-Skoolie
 
Join Date: May 2010
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Year: 2001
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on the windshield post inside the bus usually on the curb side there should be a small 4-5 digit plate,screwed onto the post.
About midway up the post.
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