quote:
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Frank, you're spreading a myth - all vehicles have always had a Vehicle Identification Number,
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Wrong.
According to the Texas Motor Vehicle Title Manual , " On 1955 and prior model motor vehicles the motor number is the principal means of identification, except Ford products manufactured since March 31, 1932."
Also, " Beginning with the 1956 model motor vehicles, the serial number of the body or frame is used as the principal means of identification and shall be known as the "vehicle identification number". The words "permanent identification number" and "serial number" are sometimes used to refer to the official vehicle identification number."
Notice there is nothing capitalized and no mention of a VIN.
Then it goes on to say, " Effective with 1981-year model vehicles, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, Department of Transportation, requires manufacturers selling vehicles in the United States to produce the vehicles with a 17-character vehicle identification number (VIN). This standard establishes a fixed VIN format with unique manufacturer identifiers and applies to all passenger cars, multi-purpose vehicles, trucks, buses, incomplete vehicles, and motorcycles. " (Note: all bold text is bold in original document.)
This tells me there was no VIN before 1981. There were vehicle identification numbers which varied from year to year and manufacturer to manufacturer but VIN was established by a government agency effective 1981. And it is true all modern issue titles have a space for "VIN" but that does not make an old serial number a VIN. It is quite simply the vehicle identification number of the old vehicle.
