1957 or 1958 panel truck?

This looks like the best place to start for answers to the question I've had about my panel for the last 21 years: it's registered as a 1958, originally from California but now registered in Mississippi as 'Historic'—and currently residing in Bethel, NY. The front fenders/grill appear to be all '57 with the single headlight and '57 grill bar. The other odd thing is the old inline six seems to have a 1958 VIN (no plate on the truck door frame). The rear tail lights are NOT the horizontal type I've seen on other panels with no indication on the inside or outside of the upper rear corners that there was ever any other type installed. It just has the old Ford shaped metal tail light housing at the lower corners that I've seen on older Ford panels. One of the old shop manuals at a dealership in San Bruno, Calif showed a single headlight front end on a 1958 shop manual. Was Ford in such as rush to produce the dual headlight truck that they built some '58's with a single headlight? Or has this thing been cobbled together over the last half century to the point where there is NO answer? Please, bring on the ideas, folks, 'cause I'm not sure what to call this thing. And thanks in advance as I get started on this long overdue project!

It could be either-or.
57 had the vin tag on the drivers side door jamb, although I did see one truck with it on the pass side once-in 58 they moved the tag to the inside of the glovebox door, so unless it's missing the original door, you may not see it there.
The original vin is also stamped on the top of the pass side framerail right behind the engine and that is exactly where I would look to confirm the actual year of your panel.
You may need to wire brush it if it's rusty as they usually are.

Great tips! I'll check next Tuesday when I get back to Bethel-Thanks!

I'm curious to know what year it turns out to be so let us know when you find out!

Found the VIN on the frame thanks to truckster. Posted a a longer description but it got deleted.....It's a 1957 F100 paneltruck built in Milpitas, California (seven years before I went to work on the truck assembly line). It came with a 145 horsepower 'Y' block V8. DMV's have been using subsequently installed 6 cylinder engine number. I've got some work to do.......