VIN on title doesn't match VIN on frame

[TwoDuckDad]

Hoping to contribute something soon...in the meantime...

My Dad gave me his 41 pickup restomod. He is 93 and cannot remember what he ate for breakfast, let alone the work he did 30 years ago on the pickup.

The VIN on the CA title ends in "CAL". I have a bill of sale from 1992 with the "new" VIN printed on it. However, the number on the frame does NOT match, not even close.

Possible that at some point when the previous owner began working on it that it may not have had a title so CA DMV assigned a new number? Anyone think of another reason why the VIN doesn't match. I'd have to remove some paint but I can clearly see where the number is stamped on the frame so wonder why they didn't use that number. Hmmm

Educate me my friends. Thanks in advance.

[Steve in Denver]

In Colorado, I can go to the State Hwy Patrol and have them verify a VIN that I can then go to the DMV and get a title. Georgia should have something similar.

[TwoDuckDad]

Thanks Steve. My issue is that the VIN on the title does NOT match the stamped VIN (or production number as some call it) on the top of the frame just behind the front axle on the driver's side. I'll call them tomorrow and see what they say...fingers crossed.

[alanwoodieman]

ga. does have a similar process, $50.00 for the inspection verify dmv and the rest is easy

[Krylon32]

Wouldn't fly in Nebraska.

[paul2748]

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)

He's in CA, not any other state. Needs CA help

[V8COOPMAN]

Originally Posted by TwoDuckDad

Hoping to contribute something soon...in the meantime...

My Dad gave me his 41 pickup restomod. He is 93 and cannot remember what he ate for breakfast, let alone the work he did 30 years ago on the pickup.

The VIN on the CA title ends in "CAL". I have a bill of sale from 1992 with the "new" VIN printed on it. However, the number on the frame does NOT match, not even close.

Possible that at some point when the previous owner began working on it that it may not have had a title so CA DMV assigned a new number? Anyone think of another reason why the VIN doesn't match. I'd have to remove some paint but I can clearly see where the number is stamped on the frame so wonder why they didn't use that number. Hmmm

Educate me my friends. Thanks in advance.

You've always got to remember that VEHICLE THEFT can be a reason.

Coop


.

[51504bat]

Sounds like but that's just a guess is that your truck has a CA assigned vin. There should be a metal sticker/plate riveted to the frame or body. Or at least that is what was on an OT MG I had years ago. Not exactly sure where it might be on your truck - if it has one at all. The local vin verifier at the CHP might be able to give you a clue as where to look. Regardless you need to get this sorted with the DMV/CHP. JMO



Edit: I found some paper work showing the CA assigned vin (from 1971) starting with DMV and ending with CA. DMV*****CA. Numbering has probably changed since then.

[V8COOPMAN]

Originally Posted by TwoDuckDad

Hoping to contribute something soon...in the meantime...

My Dad gave me his 41 pickup restomod. He is 93 and cannot remember what he ate for breakfast, let alone the work he did 30 years ago on the pickup.

The VIN on the CA title ends in "CAL". I have a bill of sale from 1992 with the "new" VIN printed on it. However, the number on the frame does NOT match, not even close.

Possible that at some point when the previous owner began working on it that it may not have had a title so CA DMV assigned a new number? Anyone think of another reason why the VIN doesn't match. I'd have to remove some paint but I can clearly see where the number is stamped on the frame so wonder why they didn't use that number. Hmmm

Educate me my friends. Thanks in advance.

You've always got to remember that VEHICLE THEFT can be a reason. You need to get the discrepancy straightened out for several reasons, like difficult to sell, won't be covered by insurance if involved in a claim, or even for legal ID purposes with your state.

Coop


.


.

[TwoDuckDad]

Local VIN verifier was already here and neither of us could find any sticker/plate. It seems kinda stupid to put it somewhere you cannot find it. Spoke to CA DMV and the guy I spoke to has never heard of a VIN ending in "CAL". Typical. I buffed the paint off the original VIN and, while the numbers to the left of the - are hard to read, it appears it is 18 and the VIN is 18-XXXXXXX and the last character is definitely an "I" which looks exactly like the font in quotes I just typed. Not a "1" unless that's how they did it back in 41. Sooooo....tomorrow should be fun at my local DMV. I'll keep y'all posted and thanks for the looks and comments.

[TwoDuckDad]

Originally Posted by alanwoodieman

ga. does have a similar process, $50.00 for the inspection verify dmv and the rest is easy

the GA VIN inspection is free. Already had it done on another vehicle. It likely won't be easy with a different VIN on the vehicle than on the title...but I've been wrong before...many times

[Charlie Stephens]

Here is the VIN plate assigned by the State of California in the early seventies. It is riveted to the door jam on the drivers side. Note the it ends in CA. I have blanked out a couple of numbers in the center.

Charlie Stephens

[petehoovie]

Originally Posted by Charlie Stephens

Here is the VIN plate assigned by the State of California in the early seventies. It is riveted to the door jam on the drivers side. Note the it ends in CA. I have blanked out a couple of numbers in the center.

Charlie Stephens

[51504bat]

Originally Posted by petehoovie

Looks exactly like the one on my MG from 1971. Mine was on the frame just in front of the firewall. A buddy has one on a 1930 Model A 2dr. that is on the A pillar driver's side.

[Newc]

Yep; And vin numbers were entered into a Federal Data base some yrs ago. RG #10 in Oregon, V8er had a duplicate set show up- resolved finally. Trans numbers vs frame numbers situation. Newc

[deuce lover]

Here is a thread on the HAMB, CA DMV help.Very interesting.
https://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/posts/14834103/

[cas3]

In Minnesota, for a while back in the 70's/80's , if you titled a dead old vehicle they did not care about the numbers on the frame or motor, they just assigned a new VIN number like Charlie shows in the post above. It was an aluminum plate with adhesive on it, and two spots marked where you were supposed to drive in some twisty nails or rivots to make it permanent. Problem is many times the vehicle is under restoration, and folks want to wait until the frame is done, or whatever, and then it gets lost or forgotten about and never installed. I've had several old cars that show a modern 17 digit number on the title, and yet that tag is not present, because they never put it on. Probably left it in one of those "special places "where it wont get lost. Of coarse, I would never do that...well, maybe, well, only once...well, maybe more than once...end of discussion.

[kurt v]

what's the trans no ?

[Automotive Stud]

I bet the truck had one of those tags on it at some point, and someone thought it was ugly and took it off. Maybe it's in the glove box or something?

[Zax40]

Lake Lanier area, so Hall county or Forsyth?

All you have is the California title, no bill of sale?