Call the Sheriff's office and talk to the local Anti-Auto Theft Task Force guy in your area, if you have one. I had to work with the guys from Waco. They should be able to help you out. The DMV does not know anything, I also found this out the hard way. The only thing DMV can give you is a form for getting a new title. Her is some of the info I followed to get my truck titled it may help you out.
The last option you have is if your vehicle has NO vin at all. This means no data plate, no frame number, or no original engine number. From what I have been told by the DPS up to 1954 all vehicles were registered with the motor number. GM vehicles did not have frame numbers until 1949, Ford had frames numbers from 1932. This also covers assembled vehicles using a manufactured prefabricated body. For vehicles with no vin number first go to your local DMV where you normally get your plates. Ask for a Form VTR-68-A Application for assigned or reassigned number. Ask them which law enforcement you need to call to have them come by and inspect the vehicle. The local Anti-Auto Theft Task Force is the normal ones that come out. They will inspect the vehicle and ask you a few simple questions, show them the bill of sale with the PO's name and address. Make sure they check the right boxes. The ones you want checked say, Vehicle assembled from parts for which no ID number was ever affixed to body. And the other says, Unable to determine the true manufacturers number. If they check the box that says, Number assigined by manufacturer for ID purposes has been removed, changed or obliterated, you will have to take a form letter to a judge and prove ownership of the vehicle. Now once you have that done take the paperwork and your vehicle to a regional DMV/DOT office. They may tell you that you don't have to take the vehicle but take it anyway, if there are any problems they can call and have another inspector come over and take care of them on the spot. Once there you'll have to fill out a Form VTR-61 Rebuilt Affidavit. On that you will explain all the modifacations done on the vehicle. Make sure you have the name and address of your suppliers, ie engine, body, frame, trans etc, with bills of sale. Then they will assigin a vin number to the vehicle. Cost $2.00. On your way home stop by a public scale and get a weight slip, you'll need it later. Now to get your title and plates take the Form VTR-61,a pencil tracing of the motor number, the Form VTR-68-N Notice of Assinged Number(from the regional office), copy of Form 68-A, photo of vehicle, Form VTR-470 green slip from safety inspection station, weight slip, original bill of sale and proof of insurance to your local DMV office and they will then issue you your title and plates after you pay the taxes and fees.
Now I copied that from another site I posted that info on.
Here is another way you can title it, A bonded title:
Texas Bonded Title Info I may miss a step or 2 but the process goes something like this if it hasn't been titled in the last 16 years,, which is how far back the state's records are kept.
You'll need a bill of sale and the following forms from the state. VTR-275 Request for Texas Motor Vehicle Information
You'll need a bill of sale, and will probably need the following forms: VTR-275 Request for Texas Motor Vehicle Information VTR-301 Request for Pencil Tracing of Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) VTR-34-F Certified Copy of Title Fact Sheet VTR-130-SOF Statement of Fact VTR-131 Request to Issue Negotiable Certificate of Title Without Registration (Title Only)
VTR-275, Fill this one out and mail it in with the fee of $2.30. This starts the title search with the state, if it hasn't been titled in the last 16 years you will receive a rejection letter.
In the meantime you have to take the vehicle to 2 auto dealers for a written appraisal of it's value. At this time you'll need to complete VTR-301 Be sure to have your bill of sale available. Call any dealership near your locale; the appraisal in most cases is a free service to the public.
Accompanying the rejection letter from the Texas Dept. of Transportation is an Insurance company list where you will go and purchase a surety bond. The fee is 1.5% of the value of the vehicle.
Fill out form 130, Statement of Fact, then along with all the other paperwork gathered from the above sequence, take it to your county tax office, and in turn they provide you with the bonded title. The bonded title is for 3 years; at the end of the 3rd year you can exchange the bonded title for a permanent one.
That has a bond fee with it so it may cost a little more.
But call the Sheriff's Office and talk with them, they will help you out.
