For future FYI I throw this into the mix as how 2 different states approach things. I speak from personal experience on both.

In Michigan, the state goes by whatever the previous title states. I have walked into many Secretary of State offices here and given them the title and money and received a new title in 10 days. Michigan doesn't inspect the actual vehicle. In fact I often retitle things after I have torn down the vehicle to make sure it is worth rebuilding/retitling. You could frankly get a new title on any vehicle even if the car no longer exists. The only time the state requires a physical inspection is if the previous title is branded as "salvage". This system has it's benefits but it also allows for abuse and deceit.

In Indiana, vehicles coming from out-of-state (regardless of the year) or any vintage/antique vehicle must have a VIN inspection. Because the BMV refuses to enter into a vehicle, you must take it a Law Enforcement Officer for signoff. I have had officers that looked at the plate on the glove box and called it good, I have had officers require a viewing of the hidden VIN frame stamping. This system can help deter theft of vehicles but if the front end has been changed, it can become a nightmare.

I think the biggest thing to keep in mind is that EVERY state is different. For example, my state won't allow Bills of Sale, only good titles, so I stay away from BOS only sales. Personally, it would be nice to see groups like the HVA (historical vehicle association) lobby all the states to have a more uniform process when dealing with older vehicles. But, as one person recently pointed out to me, cars from the 80's are now "classic" vehicles under many state laws and its hard to see a 1985 Escort getting the same protection as a 52 F-1.

 

The NC guy's SC title matched the door plate, not the frame #. I suspect that insurance co's might not write collision, comprehensive coverage on a salvage titled vehicle?

 

That's what the guy claimed, he's FOS! No DMV or police in the US or Canada gives a damn if the Warranty Plate VIN matches the VIN on the title or not, because...

People replaced damaged left doors with used doors and the manufacturer of the vehicles, Ford Motor Company, says Warranty Plate VIN not for title purposes.

No such thing as a "tag" / Warranty Plate on door. VIN "tag" is what some people call the plate riveted to the left corner of dash, visable thru the windshield, has only the VIN stamped on it.

Required for Passenger Cars sold new in the US beginning with model year 1968. No truck has one until the 1980's.

 

Here in PA with some of the toughest Title/Inspection laws I have recovered 5 Salvage vehicles in the past 20+ years - All major structrural bought parts have reciepts and Vin numbers of vehicle they came off of, Vehicle is inspected by a certified inspection station, inspection certificate, pictures of before and after and copies of reciepts are sent to the state DMV and if all is in order you get a new title with Salvage Vehicle brand - Take that to your insurance co and they must insure it at low Blue Book value - I,ve sold every one for a profit after driving them fo at least a year
It's all about knowing your state laws and following them - Buck the system and deal with the problems you've created.

 

Are we having fun yet. Just wondering. Dave s

 

Okay, let's see if we can diagnose this here. I went back and reread post number 25. " Because of NC titling on antique vehicles and VINs needing to match, etc. I won't be able to get a clean title here".

I would have asked what code and section # to back up that statement. It could be he just got the words mixed up. I know of no state that would deem a 77 vehicle, mis-represented as being a fraudulent numbers mismatch by using the door warranty plate as a 'MUST MATCH' to registered title scenario. It might most assuredly set up a red flag for further investigation, BUT. They go by the corresponding numbers stamped on the frame parts and match it up with the DMV title to that vehicle. And ( yes there are more than just two places - right side frame/front crossover and right side frame/just under the Front cab) and the other location I will not say. I'm sure some of the others on this forum that have completely stripped the frame have found it and I'm sure they would also keep that to themselves. At least I would hope. No need to help out bad guys.
In some States it takes a court order to recover title DMV history on a vehicle. There are laws to protect the innocent still in place.. Law enforcement can very quickly find present owner and previous owner on a vehicle (in most cases) but to find title history going back to when that vehicle was first sold will take some time. But, from what I understand the information is there being it most likely in archives. Also in most cases, all you would find is registered owner name (past and present) and frame number which is also on the registered title. If you know somebody that was or is in law enforcement, I might, I mean they might help you out in this regard.
Also I find it very suspect if law enforcement or DMV found numbers do not match and would leave this vehicle behind without impounding it. This would NOT happen here. If the vehicle is suspect to being stolen, used in a burglary or possible involvement in an accident or any criminal activity for that matter, this vehicle would have been impounded. Law enforcement is not likely to walk away empty-handed after finding out this type of information. If law enforcement found out numbers did not match, they would immediately returned to their vehicle and run a background search not only on the vehicle but also on the person in possession of said vehicle. It is to the discretion of the officer and his next move. We may not like the fact that he goes and runs a background check on you, but as they say - better safe than sorry.
I am however still interested in the NC code & section number as was mentioned above.

 

I think people are reading in information that is not there. The NC guy says he bought a truck from someone in SC with a SC title that matched the door rating plate # and model year on that plate. When he checked the frame number it was different from the title in both year and number. He could not title it in NC because the title in his possession does not match the frame number as required in NC. To register it in NC he would have to show clear title or ownership of the vehicle identified by the frame # if he wanted to title it under NC antique vehicle statutes (or likely under any other NC DMV statutes but I expect he only checked the AV statutes). The title and frame #s must match, not the frame # and rating plate #, NC doesn't care anything about the information on the rating plate AFAIK.

 

The Masked Rider has it correct if a vehicle has multiple VIN's and the police officer finds it then he is going to research further. It is possible that you would be placed in handcuffs until both VIN's come back as not stolen. Most police/Sheriff departments have a stolen vehicle task force that will research the VIN's. Your vehicle might get impounded depending on if the VIN/s don't come back to a specific vehicle and more detailed investigation is needed.

 

All I know is, the three vehicles I have gotten titles on in Kentucky. One being a salvage title. They have never checked the frame here. Haven't really had any trouble in this aspect. But everything I have matches up anyways.

On my truck the sheriff came out to my house and looked at the vin tag in the glove box door and that was all. He didnt have any books or anything and didnt know where the vin tag was going to be until we showed him. We could have pop riveted the plate to the frame. He was more interested in talking about old cars than checking the frame. My vin tag is a PITA to read on the frame, you need the right angle and light to see it in its entirety.

We joked afterwards about all you would really need to sell a truck around here was a glove box door and the title. Not that doing this is a good idea.I wouldn't recommend it.

 

Aaron, fortunately for the next guy that ends up owning your truck you are responsible enough to do the verification your state is supposed to do. Obviously the NC guy wasn't fortunate enough to buy his truck from someone as responsible (or possibly as honest) as you.

This is exactly what the fed government, thru the states, is trying to stop. They want to make it much more difficult to launder a title whether it is for a stolen vehicle or a one with a salvage title. The fences know which states are lax. As long as some states make it easy, there will be a ready market for stolen vehicles.

 

Call me gullible but I'll bet the guy from SC just pulled the wrong title out of the stack when he sold the truck. A phone call and the right title will bee in the mail.

A fun thread though

 

Sorry for the incorrect info I put up earlier. Got mixed up over several posts I have been watching and should have checked the facts. Thanks for clarifying my errors.