2 different VIN numbers. Which should I go with?***Updated***
 

I slid the body back on the frame today to get a look at the number stamped in it. It is a totally different number than the on on the engine. I am thinking I should use that as my VIN. If I use the engine number and were ever to change out engines it would make my registration totally bogus. Actually, my frame number is a 1931 number and my engine number is 1930. Any thoughts?
Thanks,
Todd

Re: 2 different VIN numbers. Which should I go with?
 

Well...Is your car a 1930 OR is it a 1931?

WELL DUH PLUCK...OF CORCE THE CAR IS A 1931!

Pluck

Re: 2 different VIN numbers. Which should I go with?
 

I think your answer may be easy (you may not have a choice). Ask your local DMV. I am in California and would expect the DMV to say use the frame number. After they looked at the frame number and checked to see it was not stolen (they might check the engine number also to see if it was stolen) they would put a VIN tag on your door jam and tell you to put the body back on the frame.

Charlie Stephens

Re: 2 different VIN numbers. Which should I go with?
 

Humble Opinion:

I would use frame because it "is" a 1931.

Also, I was "told" recently by DMV, to stamp same numbers on frame where one can see them without having to ever remove the body later.

Rule of Thumb: Each DMV employee's answer is about as unpredictable as asking the local Post Office employees , "Are the fish biting today?"

Re: 2 different VIN numbers. Which should I go with?
 

In Cow Hampshire it matters not. Titles are not required for registration of vehicles over 15 years of age. http://www.nh.gov/safety/divisions/d...ply/exempt.htm

A title can be issued at request of the Owner. The number does not even need to be documented.

Per their web site:http://www.nh.gov/safety/divisions/d...pply/index.htm

The powers that be here are not sufficiently conversant on antique automobiles to look or even know if it is a bona-fide number to begin with. For Cow Hampshire there is no duplication search done that I am aware.

A bill of sale would help establish above, but is not necessary.

My singular experience involved doing a first time title to a 1930ish truck chassis. This was to be sold to a buyer located in Texas, where Titling is taken more seriously. And providing a title became a detail aspect of the sale.

The chassis had numbers that match (original engine and 26K original miles.) The bill of sale did not mention a VIN.

I chose not to mention the frame number to the cop woman who came to the house to do the verification. But she did look that engine number over pretty closely using the drop light at various angles and checking the numbering against what was on the form (which I myself had filled in by hand after reading the number off the block.)

And about 30 days later a title certificate arrived in the mail - just in time to turn it over to the new owner as he picked up the frame on a trailer.

So stupid - but perhaps titling does inhibit car theft. Just not so much in Cow Hampshire.

Hope your experience is similarly easy.

Joe K

Re: 2 different VIN numbers. Which should I go with?
 

Whatever number is on the title, I would stick with for a "VIN" number. You may want to attach this number somewhere on you rig for future conversations with DMV about fishing.

Re: 2 different VIN numbers. Which should I go with?
 

If you use the frame number, then what will you do in the future if someone wants to confirm that that number is correct? You'd have to remove the body. For that nightmarish reason alone, I'd go with the engine number. If you feel you need the number also somewhere on the body, I'd do as suggested above, and get some sort of plate with the number (the engine number) stamped on it--and run over in the driveway and left in the rain to make it look old and then pinned to some accessible but inconspicuous place on the firewall. Nobody at your DMV would know the difference but Model A people will.

Re: 2 different VIN numbers. Which should I go with?
 

NC DMV inspector would insist on using the frame number.

Re: 2 different VIN numbers. Which should I go with?
 

very good

Re: 2 different VIN numbers. Which should I go with?
 

Had to get a title in NC. DMV inspector wanted to see the frame number and also took a photo of it. Once you get a title in NC it's good as gold.

Re: 2 different VIN numbers. Which should I go with?
 

Obviously if it is registered, that is the number, for better or worse. My '29 coupe is registered with a 1931 vin number, but as a 1929. The number corresponds with the engine. Of course the block is cracked and I pulled the motor recently and raised the body to check the number and found it to be an april 1929 number. Still need to decide next step.

Re: 2 different VIN numbers. Which should I go with?
 

seems to me if you change engines later, or someone steals the car down the road the frame is the one number you would be looking for. It would be great if the number was out in the open.

Re: 2 different VIN numbers. Which should I go with?
 

I would never do this :D but one could restamp the engine to match the frame.

Re: 2 different VIN numbers. Which should I go with?
 

In California I've had the DMV do it both ways. My sedan title uses the engine number, but that engine is not in the car any longer. When I got my pickup registered, it had been non-op for 30 plus years, the DMV sent me to the Highway Patrol and they applied a new pair vin number tags. I got a vin tag on the door jamb and one on the firewall. One of the CHPs warned the other one about not drilling into the gas tank. Hmmmm

Re: 2 different VIN numbers. Which should I go with?
 

I would go with the frame number. Take a trip to your DMV now while you have the VIN number on the frame exposed and get it squared away. This way you will not have to pull the body off later so they can check it.

Re: 2 different VIN numbers. Which should I go with?
 

Tugmaster: CT can be difficult. What paperwork do you now have in regards to the numbers??
Paul in CT

Re: 2 different VIN numbers. Which should I go with?
 

use the frame number and re-stamp the engine block to match it BEFORE you allow any minions of the state to become involved.

that is how I would handle this one if it were my car.....

Re: 2 different VIN numbers. Which should I go with?
 

Restamping is altering. That is a felony in CA. Section 10751 CVC.

Re: 2 different VIN numbers. Which should I go with?
 

cannot believe any law enforcement would give a darn about re-stamping that is done without intent to defraud. I would be willing to take my chances on this.

search the serial number to see if anyone has registered a car with the original number. if they have, chances are it is a rodder who likely does not have the block and certainly does not have the frame. in which case HE would be the perpetrator of fraud, not the Model A guy, since he is registering an assembled car and claiming it to be an antique.

are you trying to say that if my block is damaged to the point of being un-usable and I
replace it with a block that has the same serial number, I may be guilty of a crime? just because I replaced a broken part on MY car with a replacement part?
again, I'd be very willing to take my chances on this one.

j.m.h.o.....

Re: 2 different VIN numbers. Which should I go with?
 

Re: 2 different VIN numbers. Which should I go with?
 

This is not in CT, but since others have chimed in about different states, here is one I ran into that very few know about including most at the DMV office. It seems only some supervisors etc. are familiar with these:

Colorado
Rebuilder's Title
C.R.S. 42-6-108.5
Vehicles valued principally because of the vehicle's early date of manufacture, design, historical interest, or value as a collector's item may be eligible to be issued a Rebuilder's Title when:

• The motor vehicle is not roadworthy AND
• The motor vehicle is at least 25 years old AND
• The components of the motor vehicle include at least a rolling chassis AND
• No acceptable ownership document is available AND
• The motor vehicle is physically located in Colorado
• All steps on the Rebuilder's Title Checklist have been successfully completed

REBUILDER TITLE TO REGULAR TITLE
A vehicle previously issued a Rebuilder's Title may be eligible to be issued a regular title after it has been rebuilt and the items on the Rebuilder's Title to a Regular Title Checklist have been completed.

Re: 2 different VIN numbers. Which should I go with?
 

All this info for other states is valid and interesting but doesn't apply to CT.
Paul in CT

Re: 2 different VIN numbers. Which should I go with?
 

Chris H, I did not doubt the accuracy of your citation.

just expressing my opinion regarding how unlikely it would be to come up against DMV or law enforcement personnel who are chicken-s**t enough to make an issue of this if they do not see the block until after the numbers are stamped and the car owner has a frame with the same number and at least a bill of sale to prove he purchased it legally and from whom.

each owner has to make their own decision regarding how they would handle this, but I would take a run at it without hesitation so I could title a legally acquired vehicle with the right number.....

once again, j.m.h.o.

Re: 2 different VIN numbers. Which should I go with?
 

Restamping engine blocks is done daily. It is not legally considered the VIN of a vehicle. Many companies opening stamp blocks to match the cars they go in and advertise about doing it.

Re: 2 different VIN numbers. Which should I go with?
 

Here in CT they go by engine # I recently registered a car that had a different number on the registration due to the car had a new engine installed, I did a vin verification and gotten the car registered with the new engine number.

Re: 2 different VIN numbers. Which should I go with?
 

To me it is the difference between the letter of the law and the intent of the law. If you have all the original and correct information for the car (title matches the frame number) I see little problem with restamping the engine to make the DMV in your state happy with they way they confirm paperwork. (Yes it is technically illegal) In one state it is the frame number in another state it is the engine number but if the paperwork is true to the car since new I would make the DMV happy.

This is not to say I don't have a problem with matching cars with paperwork that never had anything to do with the car. (Build car from parts, find a title from someone and make it match the parts)

Re: 2 different VIN numbers. Which should I go with?
 

Actually in Texas, the motor number is the VIN on Ford vehicles produced prior to Dec 1932.

Re: 2 different VIN numbers. Which should I go with?
 

Here is a update. Just got home from DMV and it is registered. No problems at all.
In Ct you used to be able to have the VIN verified by either a local cop or state trooper. About 2 years ago it changed. Now it has to be done at DMV or by a garage that does emissions testing. Well the guys at the local garage were nice enough to stop by my house and verify the VIN. I took all the paper work to DMV and was in and out in 30 min. I went ahead and registered it as a 30 and not a 31 and used the frame number. Todd

Re: 2 different VIN numbers. Which should I go with?
 

At least you got it registered without having to go to Wethersfield ! Congratulations.
Paul in CT

Re: 2 different VIN numbers. Which should I go with?
 

Never thought I would have to go to Weathersfield. They are like any other govt entity. They just push paper. As long as you have all the paperwork that they want to,see they are happy. As a matter of fact my car does not have a odometer at this time so the odometer reading was blank on both the vin form and my application. The guy behind the counter said he needed a number, any number to enter in the computer. I pulled a number out of my head and gave it to him and he was happy. Todd

Re: 2 different VIN numbers. Which should I go with?
 

Just curious, did they also include the motor number somewhere on the title certificate?

Re: 2 different VIN numbers. Which should I go with?
 

No. The only number used was the number on the frame. Ct does not issue titles for vehicles over 25 years old. Todd