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In this Discussion
- 66patrick66 August 2008
- Dustythedog August 2008
- Oldcar_Mechanic August 2008
Missing Vin Plate Help
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I have a car ( 1940 Chevy Sedan ) that I sold to a fellow in Ohio that is missing the Vin Tag. The car was originally titled in Ohio, then New York and is now back in Ohio. Problem is the vin tag has rusted off ( GM originally put it on the Pass side floor under the carpet ). The fellow I sold it to is getting the run around big time. Ohio DMV says New York has to issue a new tag but New York DMV says It does not issue Vin Tags. The Ohio inspector won't pass it without the Tag. We offered to have one made but he won't accept that either. He said GM has to make the tag and an Ohio inspector ( or perhaps the Governer ) is the only one that can attach it because it has special rivets supplied only by GM. Ohio DMV says my guy has to hire a Lawyer and get a Court Order and jump through some major hoops that may take Lord only knows how long. I found out where to look for the plate originally on this Forum so I am hoping someone here has some knowlege of this type of situation and can provide some hope. The paper work is all good. Just the metal tag was defective and didn't last 68 years under a carpet. Can anyone HELP???. My guy is about ready to jump out a window. Very frustrating. My email is dustydadog@roadrunner.com
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In 1940, the titles were generally using ENGINE numbers, NOT chassis numbers. GM did NOT put their numbers "under the carpet on the floor", BTW. If the original engine is still in the car, THAT is the number you use. Period. That is the way it was done, and that is the way you solve this problem. The ENGINE number is what you want to use in this instance. Do that, and your problem is solved. Explain this to your DMV person, who likely is not familar with anything that does not have a 17-digit VIN on the dashboard!"The time has come", the Walrus said, "to speak of many things. Of shoes and ships and sealing wax, of cabbages and kings. And why the sea is boiling hot,
And whether pigs have wings..." -
OK, after asking a couple of smart '40-'48 Chevy guys, here is what they tell me...learn something new every day, right!
The Standard Catalog of American Cars states that the serial numbers for 1940 Chevrolet cars were on a plate on the right side of the floor pan in front of the front seat. Master 85 series numbers had the prefix KB; Master Deluxe series were KH, and Special Deluxe series were KA. The engine number was stamped on the engine itself.
Hey, I'll admit when I get info wrong! Here you go, Dusty!"The time has come", the Walrus said, "to speak of many things. Of shoes and ships and sealing wax, of cabbages and kings. And why the sea is boiling hot,
And whether pigs have wings..." -
Patrick, I'm proud of you for the last post. Many would not correct their mistake and it's great to see that there are still straight up folks out there.
Dusty, here in Illinois, we can take a vehicle to the state (and also an independent inspector) and they will inspect it and issure a tag that is acceptable. Of course your buyer is not in Illinois, so with that said, he will have to abide by their rules. The thing is is that GM will not make a tag for the car. The special rivets that he is talking about I believe are for cars newer then 1940 and they can be bought on flee-bay. Apparently the DMV checks for the VIN tag (unlike here) to see that it matches the vehicle and it is needed. I would do one or both of a couple of things.
1. Find someone else in the Ohio DMV to talk to because I don't think that the person making these claims understands old cars. And 2. Talk to people in New York to see what they can do to help.
You (or the new owner) may also want to look on line at the DMV site to see what they have there, as that is the way I found out about the rules for Illinois.
Sorry I can't be of more help.
Ron -
Ron,
Thanks for the info. It seems like Ohio is a tough state to bring a car into. New York is alot like Illinois from what you write. I put the 40 on the road here and no one checked anything relating to the vin #. My DMV looked at the title and made sure it was signed properly, made sure I had insurance and collected my sales tax. NY DMV site not all that helpful with old cars. I did write to their "contact us" email but they basicly said because car was now in Ohio it was an Ohio problem. I beleive my guy in Ohio is going to take car to a different inspector.We got him hooked up with a guy that deals in old cars a bit and knows some inspectors. I beleive the guys made a vin tag and put it in the propper spot that Patrick mentioned. Made it from old wheel well metal so it looks old. I will keep you guys posted.
Patrick, Thanks for the update and the honesty. The world needs more like you. Thanks, Dusty
