The Ford Barn

ohioguy714 · 11-26-2013, 02:39 PM

I never thought I would have such a tale to tell but now, I do. Mom & Dad bought a 1955 Ford Thunderbird in 1968. Plates were purchased for it in 1969 and 1971. Dad was going to fix it up and whatnot. Well, he never got around to it and the years passed by and it was in the garage until last month (Oct. 2013). 42 years.

They finally decided to sell it and that is what we did last month. Here is where things go sideways. We had the title, at least we thought we did. The person who wanted the car lives in Georgia. He sent money to a friend here in Ohio who made the purchase from us. He ran the title in his name and off the car went. Fast forward to yesterday and we get a call from the guy in Georgia (the car is there now) and we are informed that the vin on the car and the title do not match.

I will be the first to say I never thought to look. I mean the car was around for 45 years. It never crossed my mind there was this kinda discrepancy. I have talked to the title bureau today and the vin on the title appears good and was registered with a Thunderbird in 1955 here in Ohio. The vin the buyer says is on the car does not show up with any records here in Ohio according to whoever I talked to at the title bureau.

I have come to find out that the vin can also appear on the frame rail, pass side opposite the center of the motor. I am going to ask the guy who bought it to look and see if he can make anything out. What a mess this has become.

We sold the car without vin verification and the guy who bought it had the title run in his name on a car that may or may not exist.

Checking cars of this age for owner records, past titles is no easy feat from what i have found here in the last 24 hours or so. I guess I post this here for any advice someone may have or a direction I can take to try and figure out what my options are. The car sits in Georgia now. Thank you for your time and any help you can provide.

11-26-2013, 02:39 PM	#1
ohioguy714 Junior Member Join Date: Nov 2013 Posts: 1	1955 Ford Thunderbird Vin Problem I never thought I would have such a tale to tell but now, I do. Mom & Dad bought a 1955 Ford Thunderbird in 1968. Plates were purchased for it in 1969 and 1971. Dad was going to fix it up and whatnot. Well, he never got around to it and the years passed by and it was in the garage until last month (Oct. 2013). 42 years. They finally decided to sell it and that is what we did last month. Here is where things go sideways. We had the title, at least we thought we did. The person who wanted the car lives in Georgia. He sent money to a friend here in Ohio who made the purchase from us. He ran the title in his name and off the car went. Fast forward to yesterday and we get a call from the guy in Georgia (the car is there now) and we are informed that the vin on the car and the title do not match. I will be the first to say I never thought to look. I mean the car was around for 45 years. It never crossed my mind there was this kinda discrepancy. I have talked to the title bureau today and the vin on the title appears good and was registered with a Thunderbird in 1955 here in Ohio. The vin the buyer says is on the car does not show up with any records here in Ohio according to whoever I talked to at the title bureau. I have come to find out that the vin can also appear on the frame rail, pass side opposite the center of the motor. I am going to ask the guy who bought it to look and see if he can make anything out. What a mess this has become. We sold the car without vin verification and the guy who bought it had the title run in his name on a car that may or may not exist. Checking cars of this age for owner records, past titles is no easy feat from what i have found here in the last 24 hours or so. I guess I post this here for any advice someone may have or a direction I can take to try and figure out what my options are. The car sits in Georgia now. Thank you for your time and any help you can provide.