Nevada title question

[mrizzodpm]

The title to the 49 one ton Nevada truck matches the license plate but not the engine. How much of a problem is this for me here in California?

[albert49]

I'm not sure for you there in Cali but here in colorado they do a vin inspection on out of state trucks when you register them here. But it would only be based off the serial plate. I have yet to see them open the hood on anything I have registered here. Emissions shouldn't be required on something of this age and so I wouldn't think they would ask any questions. I would just not volunteer any extra info they don't require and go from there. If they want something else they will be sure to inform you and give you thirty diffrent forms to fill out! you could also search the state DMV website but most of the time I find state run websites to be a great waste of time.

[JBNeal]

When I had to file for a lost title to the '49 1 ton, eventually I had to get a rep from TX Dept.of Public Safety to do a verification inspection. At the appointment, I was reticent and answered all questions asked of me, without any anecdotes. He looked at the paperwork, glanced at that rusty beat-up Dodge, opened the hood to see the rusty dirty motor, and says to me "Yep, that's an old Dodge" and signed off on it. He didn't exactly verify every identification number because he knew that what he was doing was just a formality, and he told me in passing that his job was to look for stolen vehicles at auto salvage auctions. Unless there has been some obvious vehicle alterations, I don't reckon you should have a problem.

btw, the DPS rep was wearing a sidearm, so that helped me in keeping my trap shut.

[austinsailor]

Your problem probably stems from the fact that most vehicles of this era were registered using the motor number as the VIN. Motors were changed often, the documentation seldom was.

In Missouri if you change the motor, you are supposed to fill out a form, the owner and person who changed the motor sign it, send the form and $1 in to the state and they change it.

Assuming Nevada has such a method, you might change the registration to your name in Nevada (no inspection of numbers should be needed) then once it is in your name file a similar form. You could surely find someone to put the motor in. Then your motor number would match, and you could be off and running.

I'm guessing that if you start in California, you're going to be doing some pretty heavy duty work, bonded titles or whatever is offered there.

[DollyDodge]

I haven't done it yet, but I went down to DMV here in Bishop CA and asked what the process was to register the two old Dodges we have with no title or old registrations. The DMV employee said it wasn't a big deal on the old trucks. There are two forms to fill out, and she said one just explains the history of the vehicles and provide any documentation of where they came from, who you purchased them from etc. She was very interested in the old trucks. She suggested I get them road worthy before registering them.

[mrizzodpm]

The truck was an old Cal Trans vehicle that ended up in Nevada so it'll be coming back home to California. It doesn't sound like the mismatched #'s will be a big problem when I go to register it. Right now the engine is frozen from sittin' around too long (six years) according to the owner.

[Dennis_MN]

I haven't done it yet, (snip) She suggested I get them road worthy before registering them.

I wouldn't stick a nickel into a vehicle until I have a title to it. It would be really terrible to completly restore a truck and then find out it was stolen or something and you lose it to the law..

Just a thought

[mrizzodpm]

What would you suggest I do at this point? - Should I insist that the seller correct the title before the sale can take place?

[DollyDodge]

your thought is a good one. I live in a small community and the people at DMV know me, maybe that is why they suggested what they did.