A little planning ahead (Vin Verification)

[Centerline]

My Dodge spent its whole life in Alabama before I purchased it. Alabama never titled cars of this vintage so all I have is a bill of sale from the original owner. (I'm the second owner.) Here in Texas in order to obtain a title (even from specialty title companies) you need to have the Vin verified by the local Sheriff's department. That said, most of the officers don't know their butt from a hole in the ground when it comes to inspecting these cars and I know I'm going to have some problems with this.

To begin with in '64 Mopar didn't rivet or screw the Vin plate to the door jamb. It's either spot welded, which I doubt, or its glued on somehow. That's all fine but my plate has the two holes that you would expect to be used for rivets, and I know this is going to raise some questions. I also know they generally didn't stamp the Vin on the body but they did use the Shipping Order number. That's fine because it will match my fender tag, but when dealing with an officer that has no clue its going to be yet another problem area I'm going to have to explain.

Is there any source of documentation that I can supply to the inspecting officer that will explain how Ma Mopar did things back in the early 60's? I would provide the IBM card but Chrysler won't provide me with one because all I have for proof of ownership is the Bill of Sale and they require a title or registration. Just looking to see what is available to "ease" the process. Any help will be appreciated.

 

[69Coronetrt]

You could start with copies of the pages from the 64 parts book that explain the VIN and fender tag. After that, you could find a credible decode source that will help explain what is coded on the tag. (LMK if you need copies) You will have to walk them through the process.

 

[64 Post]

You may have to drag the car to one of the larger cities in TX that has a knowledgeable person in their auto theft division in order to have the car verified.

 

[Cranky]

How far away are you from Austin?

 

[Centerline]

How far away are you from Austin?

Bastrop.

 

[Centerline]

You may have to drag the car to one of the larger cities in TX that has a knowledgeable person in their auto theft division in order to have the car verified.

No can do..... the car is going through a complete rebuild and is currently in my garage totally disassembled. Check the link in my signature line.

 

[Cranky]

Well, all you can do is talk to them and try to find someone that knows what's going on. Are you sure you have to go to the Sheriffs dept and not the DPS?

 

[Centerline]

Well, all you can do is talk to them and try to find someone that knows what's going on. Are you sure you have to go to the Sheriffs dept and not the DPS?

Could be DPS... not sure, but either way neither of them would generally know.

 

[426SFC]

Hello I used the title man in Rochester New York ,and had no problem at all .

 

[Centerline]

UPDATE:

I found what I considered a loophole in the Texas DMV rules for titling cars. It is a "Self Vin Verification" form which allows you to verify your own Vin if the car is not physically in Texas. You can use this form only for an Application for Title ONLY, but that's what I was after anyway. The car isn't ready to be registered.

I filled out both forms and took them to my local Texas DMV where they proceeded to tell me I needed the following: A bill of sale and a letter from Alabama stating they didn't title cars of this vintage. I had the bill of sale but not the letter. I called the Alabama DMV (the county office where I purchased the car) and they e-mailed me a form letter 5 minutes later.

Now, I was lucky because when I purchased this car from the original owner he gave me copies of the original purchase agreement and a copy of the Manufacturer's Statement of Origin. These are documents most people wouldn't have when buying a car from an individual in Alabama, but the owner kept everything. So..... I took all this stuff to the DMV and they said that because I had the Manufacturer's Statement of Origin I would not need the self Vin Verification form. Apparently the Manufacturer's Statement of Origin is sufficient to verify the Vin #.

Bottom line... I have a clean Texas title for under $100. That's 1/3 of what a title company would have charged me and its a clear title, not a bonded title either. When the car is ready, I'll register it as an antique which is exempt from inspections.

Hope this experience helps someone.

 

[Blackheart]

My resto shop pulled the VIN tag off to paint the car, the plate actually has some small holes and thin places in it from removal. I thought about riveting it back on with rosette rivets using the drilled holes in the plate. A friend of mine had the NC DMV inspector argue with him about his 63 Plymouth because she said it should have the VIN riveted on, which is wrong, so I thought about being technically wrong, but correct in their eyes....

Any suggestions on how to attach the plate if I wanted to put it back like Mother Mopar?

 

[Centerline]

I'm quite sure mine is glued on. It's just as it should be, holes but no rivets.