Vic, again I'm glad you were able to navigate the process and get it done. Also glad that the LEO was helpful and informative. I've had that go both good and bad. As far as the tags you installed, I'd guess the LEO was working on 2 observations; First, that you had no bad intent, This is where the law has trouble, because the internal 'intent' is a big part of the struggle to hold someone accountable. Second, that many states ignore any added tags and use either original tags, stampings or other ID, or place their own markings like the foil stickers mentioned. If they did not issue a new state issued number, it was probably a judgement call by the officer that all was in order and the supporting paperwork along with their due diligence was enough. There is a guy that stamps new option tags for OT cars that are very hard to distinguish from original. These are not used for strictly ID, but increase the value of restorations if the originals are lost then replaced. It has caused controversy because of this increase in value and that the tags describe the car where no other records exist. This can 'authenticate' options that increase the value. There are other places that do serial number plates which runs afoul of the federal law, but they state that they simply offer them to replace damaged ones or for memorabilia. Between the two, you can cover the two most visible IDs for a car. While there are legit reasons for both (and the assembly line sheets that are also reproduced) for people with good intent to restore a car the way it originally was produced, there is the open opportunity for others with bad intent to take a low value car and create a high value car with the typically checked documents. WARNING OT car info. behold the one of none http://www.wwnboa.org/70csed.htm and the second of none http://www.hemibill.com/article/index.htm
remember the guy with the restored corvette? he moved to kansas, and the state confiscated the car because he'd attached the vin plate with the wrong fasteners. last i heard, kansas intended to crush the car!
I’ve dealt with the DOT on a few cars of my own and for the shop, I’ve never met a group of people who were more anal than the ones I dealt with, and I was trying to do everything by the book as legal as I could. I pity the poor basterd that thinks he can slide things by them and gets caught.
IN Applied for a Wyoming title on my 29 ford A, no title when I bought it, had a notarized bill of sale, After I was done with the build sent the required paper work to the DMV along with pictures of the transmission, engine, frame, front and rear axle and body, with descriptions showing the parts were all Ford. First lady I talked with had trouble understanding I have a 1929 Ford Model A with a little modification and I wanted it titled as such. After several phone calls and some arguing on my part I asked for her boss, she knew more then her underling and was glad to help (first state govment employee I have run across that was willing to help) got it straightened out and the title is for a 1929 Ford Model A Coupe. State then sent me a vin #. which I promptly stamped on 2 pieces of 1" x 1/8" flat bar 2" long, then attached by welding to a couple of different places on the frame, one front and one rear out of sight. Called the local cops asked for a vin check, they arrived with their paper work matched the numbers from the state with the ones I stamped and put on the frame. Signed the paper gave it to me. I went to the county clerk gave her the paper and money, she sent me to the county treasurer to pay my fair share in taxes and prove I had insurance, bought plates, got the registration. Went back to the clerk proved to her I paid taxes, got the title and went home put the plates on and have been driving it ever since. Oh I did ask the cop where I needed to put the tag on the frame, he said probably under the back or front, so I made 2 just to make sure Im legal.
Forgot to mention no serial # where it should have been on the frame, was rusted away. I used the original frame with a little modification and some repair. Also straightened and boxed.
DMV employees will take the path of least resistance. If you have a clear title and they can match that number to one on the chassis you're golden. Model As were registered by the engine number - most states don't use that method anymore. The engine number was stamped on the Model A frame but is hidden by the body so not easy to verify so they take the path of least resistance and assign a number. I can see an easy problem arising when you car is stolen. The state ID is removed the guy creates a bill of sale for misc parts and goes to DMV claiming he built it. He gets a new assigned VIN. Yes when CA DMV sticks on the decal they drill holes and add blind rivets - it's a lot easier to weld over the holes and maybe a punch mark or two than build a new car......... I tried to have my engine # added to my CA title - With typical DMV wisdom they said that's just for motorcycles so they can identify stolen parts. Take a look at new cars and how many spots .gov requires the VIN to be stamped.
You guys are scaring me. I built my T "Bucket in the mid sixties and got a "Homebuilt" registration in Minnesota. They gave me a serial number (nothing else) in 1966, and I went to a company that made trophies (bowling and such) and had a brass plate engraved. I've been using it that way for the last 58 years. Now you are saying I have to worry about it? (I really don't think I have a problem, as I have a valid Minnesota title for the vehicle. Things were simpler "back in the day".)
those come with a MSO... and titled year when built in most states... then when you go to MVD/DMV they still assign a V.I.N to it...
you don't have a problem, the next guy does... a big problem was back in the 50 they would reg,. by motor numbers... then when you pulled the motor the numbers didn't match the title...
To be clear; my car has a State assigned (in 1966) Serial (VIN?) number that matches the standard Minnesota registration. It's just that the VIN (Serial?) number plate on the frame is self-made.
The rules will vary from state to state. How it’s done or what is allowed by a state other than the state issuing the new VIN means nothing. I would encourage you to submit a written inquiry with your state DMV and to keep their written response (or a copy of the response) with your vehicle registration. Personally, it would seem logical to stamp the issued VIN on the frame (both visible & hidden) as well as attaching the issued VIN plate/tag/decal. I have a state issued VIN for my ‘34 Ford (Tennessee). I’ll used the state issued VIN plate (installed as specified by the state), as well as stamping that same number onto the frame (on top of the driver’s side frame rail, near the steering box, as well as on top of the passenger side frame rail, near the rear kick up (only visible with the body raised from the frame). The installation of the state issued VIN tag is to satisfy the state regulations, while the additional stampings are for my satisfaction.
As of a few years ago NC was still doing the little stamped tags, don't know if it has changed. I have one in my desk from when we stripped a customer car frame and then actually had the numbers and was able to get the title corrected. A real pain in the ass, but it was important to them.
In the sixties, I was given an assigned number to stamp on my 29 Tudor A’s frame. In the early nineties, a CA CHP verifier refused to accept the visible original number which matched the expired registration, and proceeded to grind down a sheet metal B pillar cover held in place by tiny nails, and he then epoxied and blind riveted the Blue Tag on my Briggs Body 29 Ford cabriolet that had been in the family since new in 1929. Every state is somewhat unique, and VIN verifiers are too, just accept it and follow the process, stupid or not.
hey 4ever18, I agree the rules do vary form state to state, I also agree with your advice go to your state DMV and follow their regs. What Im saying is Woming makes it easy to get a vin # compared to what some other states do. I also like your thought on additional tags for your own satisfaction.
In 2011 , I "finished " my roadster and had to go thru the NCDMV Assigned VIN process..Semi Cluster F..k ,but not as bad as it could be When everything was approved , a NCDMV License & Theft officer came to my house to apply two decal -type stickers. He placed one on the firewall and another on the drivers doorpost.. Nothing on the frame !! So ,I guess technically I could pull the body and put it on a riding mower and be legal ... Stan
Sounds like your mind is made up. What I was told by a friend in the MVD, some night you maybe screwing around and get pulled over. An astute police office may start scrutinizing your stamp. If suspected to be a restamp, prepare to call for a ride home and you might loose your vehicle. I have a Colorado reissue number from the previous owner and registered my car in NYS with the same number just for a piece of mind. My fear was if I purchased a "32"registration and had the car titled as such, there's a possibility the original titled vehicle comes out of hiding from a barn with a history and an original stamped frame. Now you have some esplaining to do Lucie.
There is already a situation like this that popped up here a year ago! ( Thread) If I recall correctly one in the Midwest the other one in the east
Thanks, for all good information about titles @ Vin#’,s .Vic, can you send me contact number I have question abou a Colorado car I bought last year in Colorado. Greg gmduque323@gmail.com Thanks.
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