VIN # Problems

[nhranut]

I live in Nevada. Recently purchased a 1949 Coronet in California. Went to DMV to register and title. Had to have a VIN inspection because of out of state car. It was discovered that the VIN # on the CA title is the number that is stamped on the block of the engine. Of course the car has a VIN # on the door pillar. They told me I have to get CA DMV to correct the title. What a headache! Has anyone else ever had this issue?

[Don Coatney]

Go to another DMV branch and see if you get the same answer. If you do have the clerk call in a supervisor for clarification.

[JerseyHarold]

The original engine number is stamped on the frame near the left rear wheel on Plymouths.  It may be the same for Dodge.  This might help the DMV tie the paperwork together.

[dlrides]

I live in Nevada. Recently purchased a 1949 Coronet in California. Went to DMV to register and title. Had to have a VIN inspection because of out of state car. It was discovered that the VIN # on the CA title is the number that is stamped on the block of the engine. Of course the car has a VIN # on the door pillar. They told me I have to get CA DMV to correct the title. What a headache! Has anyone else ever had this issue?

 

 

I could write pages !

 

Hope it's easier than NC !

 

[greg g]

Is the engine number correct for a 49 Dodge? Lots had engine swaps as normal maintenance back in the day. Many constituencies used both engine number and series number for ownership documents. Here in NY, DMV runs through county clerks offices. In my county the used serial number, next county over used engine number..... Contact the Cali DMV and see if they will fax something that engine number is legal/binding in Cali. Also, if you are an AAA member, they can assist with that stuff sometimes.

Edited August 25, 2014 by greg g

[ptwothree]

You might want to check with the Ca. Highway Patrol.  That's where DMV is sending me when I get my newly acquired '52 running to varify  the vin.  

[40desoto]

I have the same issue with my 1940 Desoto.  The VIN on the title is stamped on the engine that I have now pulled out of the car and have no plans to put back on the car.  The VIN begins with a 'CAL' 

Im thinking of temporarily putting the engine back in the car and getting everything squared away at CA DMV

[Jerry Roberts]

I have the same issue with my 1940 Desoto.  The VIN on the title is stamped on the engine that I have now pulled out of the car and have no plans to put back on the car.  The VIN begins with a 'CAL' 

Im thinking of temporarily putting the engine back in the car and getting everything squared away at CA DMV

 Instead of putting the old engine back in the car , can you remove the new number from the new engine and then stamp in the old number ? 

[ptwothree]

 Instead of putting the old engine back in the car , can you remove the new number from the new engine and then stamp in the old number ? 

You might want to consult an attorney first.  This used to be illegal but in today's "anything goes" climate, maybe it's o.k....

[Huzzad]

had this issue a few days ago purchasing another 49 plymouth they wrote down the block id not the actual vin number so I explained to them before they finished the paper work it would match up with over 50k other cars if I register it as that vin, so he corrected it. there are many things you can do at this point which are all not illegal. 1 take the actual vin number and the block id number and check if it is stolen, if they both come up clean you go to california dmv show the paper proof of sale or nevada dmv should allow it and have the title given to you. This is the gray area what you could do, if it does not show up in any records take it to dmv ask them for a form to reclaim a lost title and lie tell them it was in the family and you need a new title made for it in your name it requires all the same inspections and cost, it just cuts out the 80+ miles of dmv driving.

 

 

Should point out. For california, a master mechanic may remove and reinstal a vin for the purpose of restoring or rebuilding, also in cases of cab swaps, I learned this from my father when we rebuilt a 1963 gmc, you could check on your state and see if they will fix it all, and remember they do not need to see the car to run the numbers just write it all down first.

Edited August 27, 2014 by Huzzad

[40desoto]

 

Edited August 27, 2014 by 40desoto

[Dodgeb4ya]

Your  Engine # D30-.XXXXXX should be also stamped on the LR frame . That is if the engine is the original 1949 D30 engine.

I have several 1946-52 Mopar cars that the title ONLY uses the engine # that matches the frame # on the left rear kick up behind the LR tire.

Sand the frame well to find the frame number stamping.. It is there.

Hope they match!

[Jerry Roberts]

You might want to consult an attorney first.  This used to be illegal but in today's "anything goes" climate, maybe it's o.k....

 I will venture to say that there are many of us who would consider it just a number , and we would keep the attorneys out of it . We could also remove the original number on the old block . We would know in our hearts that nothing has been stolen . 

[49roadster]

I California prior to 1955 the engine number was used for the title.

[BobT-47P15]

When I registered my car and got an "antique" license plate in 1973, I used the engine number that was on the title.

No problem then in Missouri.

 

So far, I have installed 3 different engines after the original, but until such time as the car would be sold, I will

keep going with what I have.   Next owner will probably have to change the number used on the title.

The number found on the doorpost would likely be the one to use....as that's where people today expect to

find the "vin".   As I recall, in MO, changing such a thing involves an inspection and a check to see if stolen

by the Highway Patrol.   

[Dan Hiebert]

I would start "fresh" and apply for a new title, unless you have a reason to have a title history.  Most states just require a check from any agency authorized to use NCIC to verify the car isn't stolen (some specify the State police agency, tho, i.e. Highway Patrol, State Police, etc.) and some proof you are the actual owner of the car.  That way you can use the VIN (or "serial number" back then) that stays with the car regardless of engine swaps. 

[falconvan]

In Missouri I had the same issue with a 51 Chevy. I just threw the old engine block in the trunk and took it with me to the inspection station. It was obvious that i just put a fresh engine in so the guy said it was cool and sent me on my way. I kept the old block and gave it to the guy who bought the car a few years later.

[Eneto-55]

...  in MO, changing such a thing involves ... a check to see if stolen

by the Highway Patrol.   

 

I once had a less than ideal experience with the MO Police, but didn't know they were in to stealing cars....  (Just kidding you.)

[40desoto]

In Missouri I had the same issue with a 51 Chevy. I just threw the old engine block in the trunk and took it with me to the inspection station. It was obvious that i just put a fresh engine in so the guy said it was cool and sent me on my way. I kept the old block and gave it to the guy who bought the car a few years later.

Your lucky the guys you sold it to didnt argue for you to lower the price 35% for not having matching numbers.   Or did red the paperwork to match the number on the car and not on the block ?

[40desoto]

I California prior to 1955 the engine number was used for the title.

uhhmm..??  Im not sure..If that was the case I think all pre 55 mopars would all have VIN numbers starting with T, P, D, S, etc... in California.  What I was told was aftermarket replacement blocks where available with blank numbers and shops would stamp numbers on them so the owners can change the title to match the newly stamped engine number..   Horrible Idea IMO.

[Purevil]

I had similar problems when I moved back to Montana with a motorcycle and car I bought in California, They were trying to find the motorcycle VIN  on the frame neck of a 1959 Harley-- Vin # is on the engine only, and Cali used the engine # on the 55 Chevy nomad. All I had to do was have the local law enforcement inspect them and fill out a VIN inspection sheet, make a call to verify they were not stolen and apply for a bonded title with prof of purchase (bill of sale).

[austinsailor]

Your only problem is you found a clerk who doesn't know what the hell they are doing. That was the way most cars were registered back then.

I've registered half a dozen in Mo. that way.

These are Missouri specific things, but I'd be surprised if you can't do the same in most states.

1. I've had a state trouper come verify the numbers, VIN and motor, and fill out a simple form to change the registered VIN from the motor to the frame number before I went to title it. Cost? $0.00.

2. Since motor numbers were usually how they were registered back then (before about 1925 Model T Fords only had a motor # - what would Nevada do with that?!) you filled out a form, signed by the guy who changed the motor, and for a $2 fee, they change the #. The law is still on the books here, and it doesn't require a "master mechanic" or anyone else special to sign the form. I've done about every off the wall thing here the law allows here with licensing and registering, but haven't personally done this yet. I am keeping it in reserve, though, in case I end up with a car that is registered by the motor number, was changed and not updated.

It would be crazy to go through the bonding process and expense, or to go back to California because some clerk doesn't know what they are doing.

[martybose]

I California prior to 1955 the engine number was used for the title.

Could have fooled me; my 47 has always been a California car, and it is registered with the body number, so I didn't have anything to worry about when I changed the engine.

 

Marty

[jcmiller]

I emailed Nevada DMV:

 

A friend bought an antique car in California that has a valid CA title.  He wants to move the car to Nevada and get a Nevada title.  On some older cars, California used a code stamped on the engine block as the official VIN instead of the serial number stamped on the car body.  This car still has the original engine so the engine code matches the VIN on the CA title.  He has been told that he cannot title the car in Nevada until he gets the title "fixed" in CA. That doesn't seem correct because the title is valid in CA and doesn't need to be fixed there.  Can you advise on what his options are to title this car in Nevada?

 

Response:

 

Good Morning,

 

This title is fine.   Bring the vehicle  to the  Vehicle Inspection Station first before going into DMV.  They may issue a new vehicle identification number at that time.

 

Betsy Burg
Central Services Department
Title Research
DMV Tech I
775-684-4810
BBurg@dmv.nv.gov

 

I can forward the email to you if you PM your email address to me.

[bobjob55]

You will have to go to a port of entry station and have it inspected by the highway patrol in your state ... they don't need the motor ,, numbers are usually done off the frame and sticker in the door frame ... just make sure that they match ....