title question

While on the topic of titles I have a question, on my 68 when applying for a title do I list the entire # off the firewall plate or the just the production sequence to the right?

 

Moved for better exposure and due to thread hijack.

Usually the whole number on the VIN tag. Check with your local department of motor vehicles though as laws vary greatly from state to state.


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Years ago I had a 63 cj5 when I lived in NY and it seems like it was 5 digits long. The insurance company took 2 day to issue my cards because they couldn't get their computer to accept the short vin. Hopefully I only have 3 or 4 weeks left before I start the title process and I will post my experiences with SC DMV.

 

All the VINs I've ever seen have been some coded string, followed by a sequentially-assigned serial number - what you call the production number. The serial number is not the VIN.

I'm sure there are cases where cars have been registered using the serial number, but that seems like a mistake to me. For your Jeep, it should be 8305 (something)...

 

Tim that was what I was thinking but the PO filled out a bill of sale the serial # but not all the stuff before it so I guess it's time to track him down and redo it. I don't know what the deal was with my 63 but in pre 1973 are reg. only no title so and that was 10 years ago so who know knows what that mess was with the 5 digit ID. Hoping the DMV down here will show some southern hospitality and not make me jump through hoops to get the paperwork taken care of.

 

The asked me for a "rubbing" of the VIN plate (you know....cuz it's 1966 in Bucks County apparently) I gave em digital pix instead. They were satisified.

 

I've done the rubbing up north but from what I've read on SCDMV website yuo have to bring it to them to do a visual inspection of the vin plates. Not worried about stolen because the last time this thing was running I don't think DMV had computers... Just never walked through the process down here and I may be worried over nothing.

 

They were using the incorrect number if they only used the last 5 digits. Typical of NY DMV stuff back in the day. Probably wouldn't get away with not using the prefix nowadays.

 

I registered my '58 CJ5 in Georgia with just the 5 digit serial number but had to have the local police inspect the data plate since my bill of sale had a bogus VIN from an AMC era jeep. It will probably be tough to transfer the registration to another state.

 

My thinking is to get it done right which is why I haven't tried to hunt down a title/data plate. The vin matches the frame so no funny stuff there and the motor doesn't look like it's ever been out. This is not a restorable Jeep due to condition but it will be a good daily driver or hunt truck and if I decide to sell it I would love to have paperwork that actually matches the vehicle because I personally check for vin matches before paying for vehicles. I bought this knowing it was found in a field years ago and the PO never got it to run so they had no incentive to get a title for it.

 

What ever you do, I would suggest you get the tittle deal worked out before you spend any time/money on it. In Florida, a car without a tittle is almost worthless. I found a guy that only works with kit cars to come out and verify the numbers on the frame (vin plate was missing). Part of that time was spent researching the VIN to make sure it was not stolen in any state. The last record of the car being on the road in any state was in someplace in NE back in 1974. It was stolen and recovered 4 days later and returned to the owner.

For what it's worth, my tittle was from Georgia. I actually thing the DMV kit car guys took pitty on me, knew it was not stolen and was legit and just signed off on it so I could get a Florida title.

He did tell me that several times a year someone spends time and money building a car, using lots of parts from the junkyard but does not keep the paperwork and winds up with a car they spent hundreds of hours and thousands of dollars on and cant sell it or title it.

 

In order to take in for vin inspection here it has to be "road worthy" or they will issue a title stamped off road use only. Read that on the DMV site cause I was thinking the same thing. Dump all that money and get stuck or worse impounded but if they don't issued a title I know of several people who would like to have it to use on hunting tracts. This isn't a high dollar build by any means and I have summoned my inner Bubba to scrape this together with very little cash in case I do decidee to sell it but honestly if the title goes through without any issues I'll probably keep it and drive it around with a stupid price in the windshield just because you never know what someone will pay.

 

If the vin on the title matches the number on the frame you should be ok in Washington State. Iirc in Washington the title goes with the frame but double check that.


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I think the serial number on the frame for that year is just the suffix..THe complete number is only on the firewall tag. It may be a good idea to bring some jeep reference material into the DMV when you do get the number checked out. The Allen book comes to mind as does the FSM.

 

I only have one suggestion. Make sure you are using the state web site. there are so many knock off sites like dmv.org that have information but it is not always the latest and greatest. They also work at translating the statutes into simpler language and sometimes misinterpret the real intent and process. We have customers come in with printouts and information from these sites and swear it is the state site.

Title should go with the body in most states. If the body is destroyed the title can be used as ownership to sell the frame. Usually the frame number is used for commercial vehicles which a Jeep could be.

FWIW if you buy any component (body, frame or engine) it is good idea to get bill of sale with serial number. My next thought is that you should work to get title before sinking money into something you cannot title as aallison described. I am currently working with two customers that bought Cobra kit cars and are somewhat stuck because of title work. I try to work with "car guys" that have title issues because I really have an appreciation for what they have and have in it. Sometimes it seems like hoops but it is rewarding for me to get them legal.

 

This is from the state website. Section 3 spells out the issues with non operational being branded offroad use only and then you have to try and get another inspection. THis is not a high dollar Jeep so not very worried there but I also don't want to go through the same B.S. twice.
1. Affidavit of Ownership, Form TI-021A, which must include the vehicle and current owner information, and a statement indicating how the vehicle was acquired to include in detail how, where and when the owner acquired the vehicle, who were the seller(s) and/or lien holder(s), the condition of the vehicle and any other information regarding the vehicle.
2. Photographs of the vehicle, mobile home, or trailer from all angles (photos will not be returned).
3. Vehicle Identification Verification for Title without Previous Title, Form TI-021B signed by a SCDMV official. The vehicle must be taken to a local DMV branch by the customer for an inspection if the customer wishes to obtain a South Carolina title. If a unique identifying number is not affixed to the vehicle, you will be required to apply for a special serial number from the Department – Application for a Special Serial Number, Form 401-A before proceeding with this request. If the vehicle is not operable at the time of inspection, you may be approved to obtain a title that is branded “not for road use” only. Once the vehicle is operable, it will need to be inspected before the “not for road use” brand can be removed and the vehicle can be registered.