i know this thread has been beat to death... but i think i have a different situation... the guy i bought my car from no longer lives where he was when i bought it.. i dont know where he went.. and i dont have his number.. and the bill of sale i had was lost when i moved, also the "VIN" number that is located on the inside of the door on my 49 is missing, or is somewhere in a pile of junk i have yet to sift though, but if i cant find it how the hell am i gonna get a title so i can have insurance?? i live in south dakota dont know if that matters or helps.
Sell the car to a Kansas Hamber. Any pre 1953 vehicle in Kansas, with a good vin # and a bill of sale can be titled - just by going to the the court house. If its a 1953 and on, you have to get Johnny Law to come out and look at the VIN tag. Looks like maybe you need a parts car (e.g. parts car VIN #) at least to get the job done.
Why not check your state DMV office and see what procedures they have for your situation, OR try a title company, it's their job and they do it well.
This kind of stuff makes me want to make CERTAIN that I don't wait around to get my car at least titled in my name if I think for a minute I'm going to keep it. At least you have GOT to leave the VIN plates on the car or know what the VIN is for just such an occasion. I'm definietely going to the DMV soon!
Every state has it's own set of tricks, unfortunately. Some are hard to impossible, some just need a DMV or police inspection, and some (NY) are so easy it's not funny. Once you go through it the first time, it's no big deal to do it again though. Anyone from SD who knows what to do? No matter what you will need that serial number tag, so I'd start looking for it. If you can't find one, there are some people who would just get a parts car with a clean number and do what they gotta do.
as suggested , check with your local DMV. i've been told by a few people in South Dakota that your state is a very user friendly for titles
yes id start with ur dmv but i searched for 2 years almost and finally got it all str8 with a company in washington called nastalgic reflections there slow but they got me a legal vin number thats a last resort
No title, and no VIN? I'd advise to do ALL of your homework and know the rules better than the paper shuffler and have a real good story before you get anywhere near a DMV office. Otherwise, They are going to treat you like someone who walks in and asks "How do I register this car I stole?"
I just got the title for my 49. You need a vin or it is no dice. Go and get purchase another like car and use it's VIN. Once you have the VIN go to teh court house and fill out the form for a title history. You will need to include a letter stating why you need the history. When you receive the last known owners name you have to send a certified letter to them asking for the title. Keep a copy of the letter and the recept for the cert letter. If the letter comes back unopened bring it to the court house as such and pay ten bucks to register your new title. If the old owners respond you have to deal with them to get the title but the court house will help you. I have done several lost titles, it is frustrating but it will work out. You need a VIN an d a bill of sale.
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