Hi, Is there a national registry that lists Vin numbers ? I would like to make sure a VIN is clear and not connected to a stolen car or being currently used. I don't want to go into the DMV to register a car and find out it is red flagged as stolen or already in use. Entering in a 1932 vin does not work with the national database of stolen cars.
If you have proper paperwork and it matches the serial number on your frame, this should not be a problem.
Not quite true there, there have been some cases where someone had an original Ford Frame with a clear serial number (they are serial number not an Actual Vin number) who have gone in and then been told that that number was in use. Probably by someone who faked the number before or after finding out that it wasn't registered at the time.
Problem is there is hardly a ford on the planet that still has its original transmission, and the numbers off the dead ****** could be used to apply for a new ***le before the days of the computer national data base
True. I was thinking more on the found sitting in a field ch***is. I've got a 51 Chevy 1-1/2 ton truck sitting in the yard with an Oregon ***le to it that still has the engine serial number on it and no engine block. It still has the 84 Oregon plate on it with very rusty bolts that I am not going to disturb as that plate number is also on the ***le.
A buddy of mine built a 1931 model A coupe on a 1932 Ford frame. He sold the original model A engine to a model A engine re-builder. After a couple of years he got a letter from the motor vehicle Registry telling him his registration was invalid. he went to the registry, and they told him there was a model A registered with that number, using the engine number. It took him about 2 years to get the mess straightened out.
Call the DMV and see if the serial number is clear. I did that then had to have our CHP verify it. Your state may vary, but start with a phone call.
That is probably the safest way to check. California is a nightmare when they inspect VIN numbers now. The last time I visited the DMV it resulted in a "go home and look for another vin location. This one has sanding scratches on it so I can't use it because it's now considered altered."