Hello everyone, I am new to the site but have been lurking for quite some time. I ran into a steal of a deal for a 65 swb darn near rust free truck. Paid 300$ for it. Truck is 100% complete and original. The guy i bought it from purchased from a lady that had it in her barn. Story is that it was her uncles truck that passed away. She had no idea where title is. He bought it and put it up as a parts truck. Never had use for it and now i got it. Does anybody have any idea how to get a title for it? I am in FL and the only VIN i could find so far is on the warranty tag on the door. The FL DMV shows no record with that number and it doesn't come up in a VIN search either. the number is F10CE503063. Any help is greatly appreciated. Thanks

 

Welcome to FTE

It's not a steal of a deal until you can get a title for it, and by the Warranty Plate* VIN, it's a 1964, not a 1965.

F10 = F100 2WD

C = 292 2V (1964: Last year for the 292, distributor is located behind the carburetor).

E = Mahwah NJ Assembly Plant.

503063 = 1964 .. assembled February 1964.

Open the doors, all 1961/64's have R/L cab steps. 1965/66 F100/250 2WD's, 1966 F100 4WD's do not.

* People replaced damaged left doors with used doors. 99.9% of the time, they failed to install the original Warranty Plate on the replaced door.

Look on the top of the right (passenger) side frame rail for the hidden VIN. It's either in front of, or partially under the cab. Compare this VIN to see if it matches the Warranty Plate VIN

No title, but are there any yearly registration cards? Look in the glove box and under the seat, see if there are any. Every state has different laws covering lost titles.

Here in CA, it's a PITA rigamarole to acquire a new title in this situation.

 

Yeah i suspected it was a 64. The guy i got it from was insistant it was a 65. From what i can tell so far it's going to be more hassle than its worth. it sucks because the truck is so complete and barely any rust. I really wouldn't want to see this one go to junk. I think FL is an absolute nightmare to get this resolved. No prior registrations or anything in it. For some reason this VIN doesn't come up in any VIN searches online. I called my state capital dmv and they have no record of this number as well. Supposedly this truck hasn't been registered in over 25 years. Maybe thats why. The girl told me that unless i can get affidavit from original owner than I would have to go to the courthouse and apply for something that they give me to be able to get a title. Sounds expensive. Thanks for your help.

 

Not registered in 25 years? That is the reason why the VIN 'doesn't come up." Same-o same-o here in CA

If the VIN was still 'on the books' here in CA, whoever was the executor of the late owners estate would have be contacted.

Then he/she would have to sign a Power of Attorney, have it notorized, then he/she would have to apply to the CA DMV for a new title.

If the executor of the estate cannot be found, or has died, you're SOL. But, if the title isn't 'on the books' any longer...then process to get a new title (Pink Slip) isn't too bad.

 

I think i am just going to look for another truck and use this for parts. Probably find something with a title that is rotted for good deal. Thanks

 

If it's that nice a truck, why would you give up before you've even started??

Like ND says, if it hasn't been registered for 25yrs, the process for getting new title can't be that difficult or expensive. Heck, even if it cost you $500 for the title (which I can't imagine it would be that high), you're still only into the truck for $800, which for a relatively rust free short bed is not bad at all! JMHO....

Confirm the VIN on the door is the same as the one on the frame. Make sure you have a bill of sale for your purchase of the truck. Research the FL DMV website for steps to apply for lost title or something like that. Or just call them up and find out the process. A few hours hassle with the DMV seem a whole lot easier than transferring all these good parts onto a rust bucket with a title......again, JMHO....

 

not giving up. You must have misunderstood. The truck is in great shape. Only rust i have found is a small repair on floor pan. I was shocked to find it this clean. It has the 292 v8 that's complete and not seized. haven't worked on getting it running but dont imagine it to be too dificult. I was just suggesting to find another one that is ate up with rust and buy it for the frame/title. I'm pullling the entire truck apart anyways. Plans are for CV subframe swap, 8.8 rear with triangluated 4 link, air ride and probably z the frame. I also have a 32v 4.6/aode combo for it. On a side note what is first year of I beam suspension? This is what confused me about the truck. It has a straight axle under front. This is why i was arguing with the guy about it being a 64.

 

well after i spent last two days on the government sites. After several calls to the DMV i was told that withouth a signed affidavit and bill of sale from the last title owner i would have to go to court and pay fees for a bonded title. Then if i get that awarded go to dmv and pay the registration. This is the hassle i was afraid of.

 

I wasn't suggesting that you were giving up on the truck. I was suggesting that you were giving up way to soon on getting a legitmate title for this one rather than going through the hassles of finding another truck, etc. etc.

Your plans for it sound cool. The first year of twin i beam was '65.

 

Well i admit that i am stubborn sometimes. Things like having to go to court for something like this is very frustrating to me. I would rather pick up another truck. Thanks for your help.

 

No worries. I'm not going to pretend to know anything about FL DMV but it does seem like they should have systems in place to deal with situations like this. Maybe there is someone else on here from FL who has dealt with it in the past.
Obviously, you wouldn't want to start work on this truck with the assurance of a clear title. Is the old woman who sold it to the other guy still living? If so, maybe she would sign the affavit and save you a trip to court. If not, buying another truck may be your best bet.
At any rate, post up some pics of your progress when you can. We like pics!

 

will do. no work will start until this is figured out. I have many parts already so as soon as i can figure it out i will be good. The lady lives 4 hours away and i have not been able to make contact with her successfully.

 

I'm in TN but have applied for and received a title for a '65 and am currently in the middle of getting a '56 titled. I also applied and received title to an old honda motorcycle in Utah once. I do not know what the steps are in FL, but here in TN it really hasn't been that difficult.

Basically you sign an affidavit saying how you acquired it and why you don't have a title. The DMV sends it to the state for approval. In the current case, the state sent me a request for a verification of the VIN by a police officer or dealer, which I had done by a cop buddy. After they get that, they should issue me the title. More than anything..it just takes time for everything to go through their processes.

You're going to have to pay taxes (like always), title, and they made me pay registration, so the total was $240 (paid $1800 for the truck and I was honest about the purchase price..) But the $240 was what I would have to pay in any vehicle purchase...not because of applying for lost title.

It is a little intimidating at first, but it has been pretty easy as long as all the info matches up and you're being honest...

Also, I agree that the DMV would not have a record of the VIN if it hasn't been registered in the last 20+ years. They never have any record of the VINs I bring them...

Anyway, good luck with whatever you decide to do. Just wanted to let you know you're not alone!

 

It's a cake walk up here in montana, not that that helps you any.

 

Here in ohio you gotta file a friendly suit and get 8 affidavids, and pay 250 bucks. Takes about 4 weeks and they mail you a new title.