Find A Classic Car
Thousands of listings here >>
sell your classic car
FREE to list - Online until sold

Howdy, Stranger!

It looks like you're new here. If you want to get involved, click one of these buttons!

Sign In Apply for Membership

Categories

In this Discussion

Vin # ?
  • Ron P
    Posts: 910Platinum Member
    I am changing my insurance on my 29 Hudson and noticed that the California DMV has my engine # as my Vin # and not the # on the tag on the fire wall that matches the frame # on the rear of the car. I just passed on the same # that is on my registration witch is the engine # to the new insurance comp. Think this could be a problem or just let it be ? I never noticed this untill they asked about all information being correct on the form. Ron
  • 37 CTS37 CTS
    Posts: 510Platinum Member
    I am not sure about California but most states will provide for changes to be made by using a state form and then a police inspection of the numbers to correct this situation.
  • Geoff C., N.Z.Geoff C., N.Z.
    Posts: 2,270Platinum Member
    Ron, the Super Six, and Essex engine numbers were in sequence as they were produced, and have no relevance to the serial numbers of different models. I believe the car number and engine number were not tied together until 1938, with the 112 models.. Hudson actually produced a considerable number of motors which were used in industrial situations, and these were included in the numbering system as well, hence the irrelvance between t he car and the engine number.

    Geoff.
    If you're stuck in a hole, stop digging.
  • Richard E.Richard E.
    Posts: 767Platinum Member
    Ron, you can take your car in to the DMV and have one of their officers confirm the VIN, I have an appointment next week to that with a "canned ham" trailer that I bought recently. However dealing with those folks can be a real pain. It took me 3years and multiple VIN inspections to get a title for my last trailer. So I don't have a real high opinion of the place. Good luck, logic does work real well with them.
  • mars55
    Posts: 1,060Platinum Member
    I think at some time in the past California used the engine number for the VIN. I have seen other California cars where the VIN did not match the car ID number.
  • Ron P
    Posts: 910Platinum Member
    Richard E. wrote:
    Ron, you can take your car in to the DMV and have one of their officers confirm the VIN, I have an appointment next week to that with a "canned ham" trailer that I bought recently. However dealing with those folks can be a real pain. It took me 3years and multiple VIN inspections to get a title for my last trailer. So I don't have a real high opinion of the place. Good luck, logic does work real well with them.



    Thanks.....When I got my Hudson about 20 years ago it had not been registered in about 10 years and was out of the California system. I had to do just what you are talking about with Calif. The car has always been registered since then but I never noticed that the engine # was used and not the frame #. Maybe I should just let it alone as long as its in their system like this and this engine stays with the car ? Ron
  • WildWaspWildWasp
    Posts: 412Platinum Member
    Ron: The question you ask has some pretty significant ramifications if not correct. Your real question has to do with how the INSURANCE carrier will react if a claim must be made. I would ask the question of those folks. Better to be in alignment with the requirements of the insurance carrier rather than be sorry.
  • Richard E.Richard E.
    Posts: 767Platinum Member
    Ron, the CA DMV exists soley to generate revenue for the State. As long as you continue to write them checks, the happier they are to serve you.
  • wayc4e28
    Posts: 55Senior Contributor
    Ron,

    reading posts and found this one regarding engine number on registration/title. When I bought my 28 Essex didn't notice until I got it home the engine number was on the title not the serial number.

    What did you find out from the DMV or did you just leave the engine number. Was your 29 an original CA car also???

    Wayne

    Wayc4e28
  • nhp1127nhp1127
    Posts: 2,275Platinum Member
    Save your self some grief. If you do make any changes and if you belong to AAA, go to them rather than DMV and have them make the changes. I'm sure you know that So Cal DMV's are staffed with idiots and morons.
  • hudsontechhudsontech
    Posts: 4,045Platinum Member
    Massachusetts is not far behind them - were he still alive the late Jim Fortin would be happy to put MA DMV people up for idiot of the year awards.



    In his case, and I've heard this happening in at least one other state, he was trying to register a Hudson, the year I've forgotten and couldn't because the VIN had to be 16 or 17 characters. I told him, jokingly, to add zero's to the beginning of the number, 000000000123456 - he did and his application sailed thru DMV with no problem. LOL



    Hudsonly,

    Alex Burr

    Memphis, TN
    http://www.hetclub.org/
    http://hetclub.org/burr/lithomepage.htm
Add a Comment
ClassicCar

Thousands of Classic Cars for Sale - Free to List.

Since 1996 we're been the place to go to for all things Classic Car. Classifieds, news, events, community and so much more. No clutter. No hassles. Just Classic Cars.

We'd love to hear from you! info@classiccar.com

Copyright 2011-2013 Classic Car
All rights reserved.

We accept no responsibility for inaccuracies. All trademarks acknowledged.