I just got home with my 49 Chevy pick up. I got a title with it. I did search this site and found out there is no VIN tag on these trucks and the serial number is on the door jamb. The VIN on the title does not match the serial number on the door jamb. The engine is long gone and so is the original frame. Do I just take the title in and register it in my name? It seems odd there is no proof that the title belongs to that truck. I live in WI if it makes any differance. Thanks Steve
You maybe right but I read in this forum that the number on the door jamb plate was the serial number for the body and not the VIN. The VIN was stamped on the engine back in 49 so if the engine is gone so is the VIN. I really need to figure out what is what before I go to the DMV. I don't want any problems. If that is the VIN then my title does not match my truck VIN.
steve, i did the same thing, i bought a car with no title,took a New York title and SENT it in, no fuss no muss, is it right ?probably not but it got me registered. i also live in wi.
Thanks. I have no doubt that this truck OK as far as its not stolen and there is a good chance its the original title if the VIN was indeed on the engine like I have read here. I will do some more research and make up my mind on what to do. I don't have much in it. If it looks like a problem I will part it out and get more than what I paid for it.
Well you do some more checking. Then you'll find that whoever said that wasn't the vin didn't know what he was talking about.
This spreads a bit of light on the subject. http://www.mongosgarage.com/tech/adstuff/vin.htm When I bought the 48 It had a 194 out of a Chevy II in it and the P/O had taken the trouble to go to the dmv and have engine change put on the title. That was in Texas. It did save me some grief when I moved back to WA with the truck. I'd go ahead and get the title changed over and register it in your name. If the title you got shows to have an engine number instead of the serial number on the door post you mignt want to have "engine change" put on the title when you get it up and running. If ther title has a serial number, You can tell by comparing to the info on the site I listed above, you might just want to let that serial number tag on the truck end up in the tool box for a while.
If you are going in modern terms, the serial number on the door jamb is the 'VIN'. But back in the day, the truck could have been titled in numerous ways. It may be based on the number stamped on the engine block or the serial number on the cab. If the frame was stamped (unlikely), it would have been the serial number. Some states would use either number, but base the year on the year it was sold. If you have a 1948 model, but it wasn't sold until 1949, it's a '49. Obviously things have been standardized over the years. The serial number is the number you want and the title is worthless, and may not even be for that truck. Based on your serial number, I'd ID your truck for what it is, and then attempt to get a matching title from Wisconsin.
chevy frames had no number until 55. the vin is on the door but some states used the engine serial back in the day. a good mvd agent should know all this. but then i said good didnt i. if there is a lesson to be learned here it is verify the title matches the vin" the first thing you do not the last when it is to late to do anything.
Thanks alot everyone. I looked at the web site in the link. Not sure what to think.The VIN on the title starts with 3 letters then the rest are numbers in the link it looks like the vin/serial number would start with one ot two numbers then a letter for year, plant and month. I better do some more digging thanks again Steve
Well I ran the serial number on the truck and it turns out to be a 1952. I guess I bought myself a parts truck. Thanks everyone for the help. I think I can come out OK should not be too expensive of a lesson.
So, go to one of the parts suppliers and get a new VIN door jamb tag and a set of stamps and fix that. What doors are on the cab? If it has push button handles and vent windows, then it was a '52-3. There are other ways to find out as well. Check with your DMV and see what the rules are before you decide it is a 'Parts' truck. Can you apply for lost title with the door jamb #? There are those here that are looking for 'historical documents' that might want to look at that '49 paper you have.
So what exactly did you buy it for, To build a pre 50 hotrod? There is little difference between 47 and 53. When I bought mine it was titled as a 51, come to find out it was actually a 50, went by the serial # engine was swapped. I went to the DMV and inquired about changing. She took my info and called the state office. She called me a couple days later to tell me state of Michigan didn't start keeping rercords on vin #'s until 55 or 56, wierd. So I did what any honest person would do, had it changed to a 48 As long as the serial number matches who cares. Do they issue salvage or kit-car titles in WI? Bring in the door plate and explain that you just bought a body. They might work with you....oh wait we're talking about DMV, nevermind.
I wanted to build a hot rod beater type truck just for the fun of it. I have always been carefull of what I was buying in the past but I just got sloppy. I took the guys word that the title was OK and right for the truck. I am mad at myself. It has push button door handles and vent windows and like I said the serial number shows it as a 52. Looks like I have some options. I might look into broadway title or see if I can get a bonded title. The VIN on the title does not look like a serial number so I don't know if I can stamp it on a new plate. Thanks for all the comments.
in az i can get a bonded title for a no title vehicle that has a vin#. it involves a inspection by mvd, a bill of sale and a bond from my insurance agent. cost about 150.00 total.
I just got off the phone with broadway title they said they were having problems with WI and it cost a bunch more to get titles here. They said 350.00 to get a title in WI. I guess I will try International.
Thanks for all the info and help. I think I have it all figured out. I sent in my paper work today to get my title so I should have it before too long. Then I can start the hunt for parts.
Hi, If the title vin# starts with GAC, GAP,GBA, or GBM it's the engine# Located just behind the distributer. Would'nt be to hard to find another engine and change the#. go to chevyoldcarmanualproject.com Good luck ,JIM
having a "bonded title" is no big deal, just means your not legal owner yet. in washington state you can sell vehicle with "bonded title" just that new owner still has to wait out 3 year waiting period. you can still drive vehicle and most vehicle sit around way past 3 years before they hit the road if they do.
The title for my 52 came today in the mail. Now I can start working toward getting it on the road. I picked up a 200R4 for it for 80.00 last week and I bought a complete 83 S10 long bed with a super clean frame for it($125.00). Now I am going to be on the look out for a chevy small block and I should be close to ready.
I bought a 1949 studabacker pu no title and no marks showing what it is I need to get a title any idea on how and where i can go to get a title? I need help please
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