Changing a '47 to a '46

[wdoland]

A while back I found out that my 1947 Chrysler Windsor was actually a 1946. Placement of the starter button, door lock covers, etc.

Called the Virginia DMV to see about changing the title so I could use vintage 1946 plates and was told I would have to trace all the titles back starting with PA where it was titled before VA. She couldn't tell me why but it was what her supervisor told her to tell me.

From what I understand, back then, a car was titled in the year it was sold. So I guess my car sat on the dealers lot past the New Year. Has anyone gone through this?

What good is tracing all the titles back?

I want 1946 tags because i would only need one tag as opposed to 1947 which switched to two tags that year.

Wayne

 

[casper50]

bureaucratic hoops.  Sometimes you just have to bite the bullet and do what they say.  Before I did that though I'd try and get a 2nd opinion from a knowledgeable source.

[Young Ed]

Have you ordered your build info from Chrysler? That might help your case with them.

[jcmiller]

If you are only worried about the single-plate issue, stick with a '47 plate and make the argument that the "original manufacturer's design of the antique motor vehicle allows for the use of only single license plates."  See below.  The code specifically allows single plates for 1946, but also allows it for other years if that is how the car was designed.  I would also call a different DMV office.  But why not just get a pair of '47 plates? 

 

VCS § 46.2-730

B. On receipt of an application and evidence that the applicant owns or has regular use of another passenger car, autocycle, or motorcycle, the Commissioner may authorize for use on antique motor vehicles and antique trailers Virginia license plates manufactured prior to 1976 and designed for use without decals, if such license plates are embossed with or are of the same year of issue as the model year of the antique motor vehicle or antique trailer on which they are to be displayed. Original metal year tabs issued in place of license plates for years 1943 and 1952 and used with license plates issued in 1942 and 1951, respectively, also may be authorized by the Commissioner for use on antique motor vehicles and antique trailers that are of the same model year as the year the metal tab was originally issued. These license plates and metal tabs shall remain valid so long as title to the vehicle is vested in the applicant. The fee for the registration card and permission to use the license plates and metal tabs on any of these vehicles shall be a one-time fee of $50. If more than one request is made for use, as provided in this section, of license plates having the same number, the Department shall accept only the first such application.

 

C. Notwithstanding the provisions of §§ 46.2-711 and 46.2-715, antique motor vehicles may display single license plates if the original manufacturer's design of the antique motor vehicles allows for the use of only single license plates or if the license plate was originally issued in one of the following years and is displayed in accordance with the provisions of subsection B: 1906, 1907, 1908, 1909, 1945, or 1946.

[William Davey]

Instead of calling the DMV, I suggest going to a small town office and speaking to them in person.  If you don't get the answer you're after, try another office.  The smaller offices tend to be more "liberal" and understanding - at least they do here in central NY.

[greg g]

I went through that process in NY. My car :-) was a 46 production sold and titled new in Pa. In Jan of 47, the Pa paper work showed it as a 47. When we moved to NY, the title changed to a NY transferrable registration, when

I filled in the paperwork,

I put in 46, the serial number was in line wirthe what the state had on record for 1946 production, so nobody blinked. Tracing back the titles would give you the date of issuance of the original document, my guess I'd that Pa purged older stuff over time. If you can get them to accept Chrysler published serial number blocks and build dates you might have a case if you're does fall in the 46 year production lists.

[wdoland]

JC, I have a copy of that in my glove box just in case a cop pulls me over because of one plate. Let him find out if my car was designed for one or two plates. I doubt he would want to put that much time and effort into it.

It's not just a single plate issue, I would like to have what the car is, a 1946. It's one of those things, not a big deal but I know it's there kind of thing. Also I would have to explain that it says 47 but it's a 46, blah , blah, blah.

Bill, I called the main Richmond branch and she didn't know anything so I might try my local branch.

And I might try what Greg said, take the serial numbers into DMV and tell them they made a mistake and nobody noticed it for 69 years!

[wdoland]

Sent off for the build sheet from the Chrysler Museum in Detroit. So now it begins...

Hopefully, the build sheet will confirm that it's a 1946 based on the vin number then I can take it to DMV and get it changed over. We will see.

[wdoland]

Got the build sheet from the Chrysler Museum in Detroit. They confirmed my car is a 46. A friend told me about a small dealership that does everything the DMV does except give out licenses.  I'll be heading over there this week to see about getting a new title.

[BobT-47P15]

If you have either a repair manual or a parts manual, I think it lists serial numbers for given years...........within a range of

numbers.......and which plant produced them.    Hopefully I am remembering right.   If so, you might use that indicator of

year along with the build sheet.   Sometimes the more ammunition, the better.     (My  title says mine is a 1948 model when

it is really a 47 model.  And the numbers do not match those on the frame.   I got antique plates back in 1973 based on that

title,  and they are good as long as I own the car.  So, I call it a 47 model and nobody argues about it.)  Might be some

question if I ever have to transfer the title......will wait til then I guess.