I was thinking the same thing as Mike. Kevin, please clear this up for all of us.
1. Is this an Illinois Title?
2. Does the title have a place for a vehicle Identification number?
3. Is there a number in that spot
4. Does that number match anything on the truck?
5. Is the product number a separate number from the vehicle identification number?
6. Why in the heck did you bring up the "product number"? It has nothing to do with anything.
7. You said the VIN on title matches the motor number. That's good. May be the original motor. Motor numbers were used, as Mike says. Make sure motor number looks like an original stamp in the original spot. This here could be what you call your "matching numbers" truck!!!!
8. Does the title say it's a 1952 Chevrolet (1/2T truck)?
9. It is probably in your best interest to really consider this instead of a long law suit that may or may not yield a judgment that you can't collect on until you pay a collector....and he still may be allowed to take another year to finish it if the judge says so. Maybe he is actually making a sincere effort to settle. We don't know the story or his side of the three year saga. I take 3 years to finish a truck of mine I said would take 6 months, I don't call it a lie.
10. When you make the deal, go to the DMV with him. They will notarize his signature and will stop the transfer if anything is sketchy.11. Be sure it's not all bondo'ed or otherwise pieced together. Concentrate on inspecting the truck itself. Thoroughly.
12. Do that deal before you give him your title. Make sure somehow he CAN NOT come back at you with a bill for your truck.
13. KBA is a legit 1952 motor number prefix: 3100 Chevy 1/2T Truck with 216 motor. As Tim tclederman has pointed out. You see that the SerNo is legit. It all looks good to me. 100%.
14. How much have you paid him already and how much is your truck worth in it's present state? In other words, would taking it home be better financially?
15. When at the DMV do not mention that the VIN is the motor number. Don't lie about anything, just don't talk. If you want the truck.
The problem later will be if the motor is changed out. DO NOT remove the motor until a Law enforcement officer or DMV agent verifies it and makes a change to the title by using the VIN plate number (serial no.). Then swap the motor if you must. That's later.
It has a motor number up into 700,000 1952 216 motors? (I.E. KBA729567). I assume this is a number from an engine plant that built ALL the motors for ALL the assembly plants? Hellofalotamotors.
The 5 window and 3 window counts the windshield as 0. Same as in coupes. The split went away in 54. The "corner windows" were an option and considered a deluxe feature/deluxe cab. Many consider 5W more "valuable" than 3W. May or may not be true. In coupes, 3W is more valuable.
