Customs Have the title on a 50 chevy but door pilar tag doesn't match

Like the thread says. This is very nice modified 50 coupe, been on the road for over 10 years. The owner sold it to my son, when my son goes to register it the BMV see's the pilar number does not match the title. The car originally had a Minnesota title and was transferred to Illinois [10 years ago]. The seller does not recall any problems transferring the car to Illinois. Any suggestions on what to do? Bill Rinaldi Post an answer or PM me

 

Get a bonded title with the actual number on the car.

 

it matches the original engine. still shouldn't be a problem.

 

I thought you were supposed to look at that before paying for the car?

The guys in Indiana will be better suited to answer your question, than those of us who live elsewhere. Each state has it's own rules.

 

Did the seller have two 1950 Chevys? And, if so, is it possible he got the titles mixed up?

Almost happened to me when I bought an old VW from a psudo-hoarder. He had to dig through a mountain of titles, but he found it.

Gotta check that stuff before you lay down the green.

 

Sure there isn't another state issued VIN plate on the car? In KY you can get a state assigned VIN plate if you go through the steps when you don't have a title, and it supercedes any other numbers on the car.

 

Is it just a typo, like someone transposed a couple digits, or is the number on the title totally different?

 

I have a CA. nightmare on my F-1 pickup. Rust free, the stack of paperwork was bogus. Price was so right I didn't care, but would rather put it together than part it out.

 

I bought a 51 chevy truck from the original owner about 30 years ago. The number used as the serial number on the title was the engine serial number. Turned out that back in the 40s and 50s at least Wisconsin would use either number to register the car or truck. Of course, this was when the people at the Wisconsin Dmv had a clue as to what and how things were done. At that time, they just issued me a new title with cab serial number on it. Now I would have to get a bonded title. If it has the original motor check the serial number and bring that to the attention of the DMV if by chance it matches. Larry

 

The VIN used on the early 50s Chevies was the engine number stamped on the block. The plate on the door jamb is the body serial number. That would not match the engine number. Most of these old Chevies had their engines replaced and along with the original engine went the original engine number and in turn the VIN. Many then used the door jamb plate if it was still in place and intact. The issue that sometimes arises is how that plate is attached to the door jamb. Many were screwed with early Chevy screws that had a rectangular opening for a tool. Some where spot welded. If you still have the original engine, look to see if the number stamped by the distributor matches the Title.

 

Bill, good luck with that, can we see a couple pics of the car?

 

Well in Indiana when you buy a car with an out of state title you have to have a form filled out with a police officer before you go to the BMV. They should have caught that when they checked it. It's been awhile since I bought an out of state car so things may have changed.

 

You have a clean title from Illinois, you want to transfer that to an Indiana title, and they still walked out and checked your door tag? I’ve never seen that hassle. Maybe it’s time to move? Ha, ha.

 

Does your state have folks doing private DMV services ? if so talk to one. They can get things titled the average dmv clerk will balk at.

 

Now that just sounds iffy to me. Nothing will happen at all-until there's $$$ invested in the car.

 

Every state that I have lived in verifies the numbers on vehicles coming from out-of-state, at the time of registration.

 

Check the block numbers or body numbers to see if they match. If they don’t your in for one pain in the ass ride. I bought a car from Minnesota where they clearly transposed 2 numbers. After a year of trying to straighten it out I just said screw it and had the old owner send in the title to get it straightened out. It took Minnesota 2 weeks.

 

Yep, same here in Kansas.

.

 

You all got some good ideas till you visit a BMV in Indiana. It's like Alice your not in Kansas anymore. Our license branch in my home town has a goal of sending everybody back out the door for more paperwork.

 

That's how we do it here in NY.

 

Not sure how I can make this any more clear:

If the number on the title is not on the car, then the title is not for the car.

Why? Because there is no way to prove that it is for the car.

Using the title for one car, on another car, is a violation of Federal law.

Stamping the numbers found on a title for one car, on another car, is a FELONY.

At this point, there no way of knowing, and no way of proving that the title in-hand goes to that car.

If the number was on the engine, and the engine is gone, then the chain-of-evidence has been broken.

If that title is NOT for this car, and the car it belongs to surfaces, you will need a very good lawyer to clear this matter up.

Call whatever agency handles this sort of thing for your state. Don't give them any specifics. Ask them how to handle it.

Do not listen to, or follow any other advice but theirs.

 

Arizona used to, but hasn't for at least a decade.

We just present the out of state title, give them some money, sign a form, and get a new title in our name.

 

early mopars had the car titled to engine also...however , drivers side rear outer frame rail behind the tire had the same numbers stamped into the frame...Never heard of GM doing that..Anyone know of frame stamping like that on a GM car ???