I've searched and haven't come up with much. Is there a site to search a model A VIN just to check any history. I feel it's pretty common to buy a bare model A frame so figured there's a way. Looking to buy a chassis with a VIN, pretty obvious it hasn't been on the road in a decade or two so I'm about 95% sure im good but I've heard the horror stories as a number coming back as stolen many decades ago and want to check before I go to CHP for verification. I would rather check on my own first before. Thanks in advance.
You can try the calling the DMV, they may be able to tell you if the serial number is in use, or has associated fees, etc.
You might ask a title company if there is a way to legally check the frame number but my guess is no.
first result searching for "Calif DMV vehicle history" after a couple ads from businesses. https://www.dmv.ca.gov/portal/custo...driver-records/online-vehicle-record-request/
I've always called Sacramento to check License plates, you could call them. I recommend to start calling right as they open, I believe you can leave a call back number now. 1-800-777-0133 Hours of Operation: Monday – Friday, 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.
I tried a couple of sites that the dept of justice approves and one kicked my 77 C30 out because it doesn't have a 17 digit vin. Another site popped my HHR right up and wanted 9.95 to tell me it's history .It did tell me what engine it had and that it was made in Mexico. That said, the DMV can probably run the serial number and see if it is use in Cali and maybe beyond and for an additional fee have a clerk search the printed records for the serial number and then if there is a title on file connected to it. I know this isn't exact Cali info but it is process info. When my aunt gave me my uncle's old truck it hadn't been licensed for so many years that it wasn't in the computer and I had to pay a fee for a clerk in the dmv main records center to go dig in the paper files to find their copy of the title and make sure that it was the last title issued for that truck. Another link that I checked brought up a car I own that hasn't had tags for 13 years but it wouldn't bring up my F250 with a shorter vin.
Thanks for all the replies. Just a set of numbers, no paperwork. Which I'm ok with as it's just a chassis and willing to jump through the hoops just would like to verify the number is clean beforehand. Make sure it wasn't stolen or anything in a prior life and make sure someone down the road hasn't pulled this chassis from a running car, slid under a aftermarket and used this number for the "new" build. I know all this is pretty unlikely as the ratio to possible serial numbers and A's registered is low.
I'd say that the odds that someone who is selling a A chassis has "pulled this chassis from a running car, slid under a aftermarket" chassis are quite high. The question is whether they used the A's title for the new build. It happens a lot.
I live in Tehachapi and had a verifier look at my Vin while having the exhaust done at a muffler shop near Buck Owen's palace and wandered across the street to verifier. Within 20 minutes and $150 later, I had my clear California title. You might give them a try. Very efficient!
Ford Model A's were originally registered by their engine VIN number not the frame number, back in that era there wasn't really a VIN number so to speak, the frame number usually does not match the engine number... When the body is on the car there is no way you would be able to see the frame number it is underneath the cowl on the driver's side. Now that being said with over 90 years of History there is a chance somebody somewhere registered the vehicle through its frame number. Also I have a Model A frame that the number is pretty much completely wore off from the body being loosely bolted probably for tens of thousands of miles. I've also seen numbers where they aren't fully stamped meaning they are a partial. The easiest way is to contact the DMV and tell them that you are looking to buy this vehicle and you were told it is out of the computer but you want to verify to make sure that it does not come up stolen or in the computer before you purchase it then you give them the frame number... I have done this probably 75 times in the last 30 years it works pretty well... I actually got a AAA membership originally just for their DMV services because they are quick and don't usually put you on hold but you can call Sacramento directly if you do not have AAA... In California where I live it is very simple to get a out of the system frame registered. The easiest way is to take it to a DMV service place as someone else mentioned and just give them 150ish bucks for their time plus typical DMV fees like title fees and documentation fees usually (it's about 50 bucks if you tell them you spent $100 on the vehicle) on top of that $150 for the DMV service person. You could technically go to the DMV directly and start the paperwork then you will have to go to a highway patrol and have them verify the frame number this is technically cheaper but definitely more time-consuming and from what I've been told the highway patrol is backed up and you have to make an appointment. Since discovering a DMV service person I will never again stand in line at the DMV it's worth $150 at all the time for this kind of headache type paperwork. This is related to frame numbers to hopefully help you identify a potential frame candidate this is a photo I took of the frame numbers form a good friend, where he got the information I do not know. You are more than welcome to copy it or repost it or print it or whatever you need to do.
I am not sure where you live but for anyone else that may live in Southern California and the Inland empire of either San Bernardino or Riverside I should add this information, this is who I use here in Southern California there isn't really a reason for other than the lady is nice and she understands the old car hobby. https://maps.app.goo.gl/7aLczdiGitkBvCLN8
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