Technical Did I get Lucky? Can I get 1932 Ford registration papers in California?

Not if the rest of the car is currently using that number on their title.

 

California uses the number stamped into the frame, do you have that? The 18-7006 is just the part number of the casting.

Charlie Stephens

 

He has the serial number in the middle pic.

 

You've got to ask yourself one question: "Do I feel lucky?" Well, do ya, punk?

 

Serial numbers on engine/trans is useless. CA wants to see the VIN stamped on the frame and if you don't have any paperwork, even that is marginally useful and you'll likely be sent to the CHP for a VIN assignment.

 

Bob , you still have to wire the car before you register it.

 

Not if I sell the Factory numbered 1932 Ford transmission to somebody in California.

 

I do not see how a transmission with a VIN is going to get you a registration/title in any state.

 

I got my ‘29 registered from only the number stamped on the engine, but it matched the Montana Title. I had an independent authorized person verify the VIN and get a new CA title. I found NO VIN on the frame ever

 

In Illinois you can’t register a transmission. If you had a title with that transmission, then you could transfer the title in your name and get plates. Be prepared to pay taxes on the states value of the 1932 Ford.

 

I have a 1932 Ford serial number on my 1947 flathead block.

 

On the B the serial number moved from the engine to the top of the flywheel housing. These were not a "VIN". They are the serial number Henry assigned to the engine/trans assembly for accounting. States used the numbers to issue registration documents. Many states only issued registrations and not ownership titles in the early days.
https://www.fordgarage.com/pages/ABenginenumbers.htm#C6

CA wants to see a complete car before they will consider issuing a title. I've always found it odd they want the frame number when that is hidden by the body. Someday I'll lift the body on my car to check if it matches the engine. It has an assigned VIN which makes engine swaps a no brainer.

 

In kansas, you only need a VIN (that a HyPo checks out as clear on the stolen/registered car list).

You then fill out a generic, online bill of sale from yourself. To yourself.

Then only register it and pay the processing, Since I wasn't tagging my car at the time, it was 17bucks.

37 days later I had a title.

-rick

 

So you can just make up a VIN and pay a fee? I find that hard to believe.

 

I'm thinking that is one of that list of states that the Washington State Patrol goes over cars with the extra fine tooth comb when they are inspected to get a Washington title . I am out of the loop now but there used to be a "don't buy a car from because you will have a hassle getting a title here" list of states.

On the OP's question I have to go with the concept that if you have the title that matches that serial number the serial number could be used in the "Yup this car goes with this title" but the chances of using it in Cali to get a title for a 32 are well below slim and none.

 

It's not California that makes a 32 serial number transmission desirable. It's the guys in Europe that can use those to get titles.

 

I didn't say you can make up a VIN.
I called the Highway Patrol, they came to my house, read the VIN, ran it through the database to verify it wasn't stolen (and probably also to prove that a salvage yard hadn't already turned it in as scrapped), then they gave me a piece of paper saying it was a clean VIN.

I assume it came up as having a valid registration maybe 30 or 35 years ago, but i know the shell has been in 3 different barns totaling every bit of 28years. And that was AFTER it was done racing on the track.

They didn't ask me if it was previously an out of state car, but it was built in Kansas City and probably never left KS. I'm assuming the VIN database pulls from all states.

In KS, if you bring ANY car in from out of state, you have to have the VIN inspected by the HyPo so that's a safe bet....
Last time I did that, it was $20 cash to the officer since he's off the clock on his rotation day to inspect VINs. No other inspection is required.

I was supposed to take the VIN paper to the registration office, but I forgot it. I handed them my Bill of Sale and 17 bucks. They mailed me a title. So I own it now, but haven't tagged it.

-rick


PS

Admittedly, maybe i'm behind the curve with the OP's post- I didn't realize that a transmission was the only part of the car he owned, LOL.

 

Just like any title/reg serial/VIN question, it depends on the state and the people behind the counter involved.
I imagine that between the feds, insurance and states, there are a lot of numbers gathered that you will never get to dig through. I'd also bet that there are holes, misprints, mistakes and duplicates.
It comes down to who is SOL if there is an issue and I'd bet solid money it's always the little guy, not the gov't (immunity) or big corp (deep legal pockets and no malice to prove).

 

Too bad!!I was going to get you a fire extinguisher for Christmas.

 

Fine, a lot of that was omitted in your original post; leaving it to sound as if you just call the highway patrol and they run a number through their database..
No dif in California, CHP or DMV need to actually see the vehicle and VIN... therefore a transmission is not gonna get you a registration/title. Cheers.

 

As what was mentioned, I’d think the selling point of it would be to a ‘32 restorer. I’ve never heard of judges asking for a title to match it with.
Now Corvettes may be different

 

I have a 34 title that has a 32 # on it, and the transmission to match, which is....good for nothing.

 

I've heard this, too. Hey Bob, (@The37Kid) put it on eBay with a strong price and see if somebody in Europe bites. I have a case with a '33 serial number in my swap meet pile, and I've been meaning to try that myself.

 

That was my goal starting this thread, maximizing the value of it. There are two things out there that need funding, and I'm fully stocked with things I don't have a need for. It is always fun scrambling around to magically unload stuff to pay for really neat needed stuff. Merry Christmas!

Bob

 

ha, ha, - pretty sure that is an I, not a 1 - ( but you knew that ? )
you can check here ……..
http://www.vanpeltsales.com/FH_web/flathead_serialnumbers.htm

 

Ha, ha, pretty sure it really is a 1, not an I. Read your own link.

 

Looks like an "I". Would never pass as a "1".

 

Aber es ist eine Eins, bei meinem 31 4 Banger ist sie auch als Motornummer eingestanzt.
Ford hat die Zahlen 1-6-9 ab Februar 1931 geändert, so steht es auf Fordgarage.com.
Grüße Harald

 

I'm being a little picky here, but NO car before January 66 had an official "VIN", which is a Vehicle Identification Number that follows specific convention that ALL manufacturers selling car in the US had to use. Prior to that there were vehicle serial numbers and each manufacturer could use their own formula. Some, especially Ford and GM, used a number that had a lot of information, but it was to their own pattern and was not required by law. Others (such as AMC) used a simple serial number. The AMC numbers had a letter that indicated the plant 55-57 (probably Nash earlier than 55 as well -- I'm just familiar with the AMC era numbers, 55+ year models), the model and engine size 58- early 66. AMC started using the US standard 13 character VIN on cars made from January 1966 on. Early manufactured 66 models have only the older one letter/number arrangement. A few transition cars have both, but those are extremely rare to find (and it doesn't make them any more valuable, it's just a novelty). That would be cars that started production in December but rolled out of the plant in January.