that sounds like a nightmare, but at least you're set now. I called the secretary of state this morning and the lady said that the last registered owner had to apply for a duplicate title. I then called a different office and that lady said that i had to bring a complete bill of sale, with the vin #, and then she would send it to lansing, MI, and see if they would clear them to give me a new title. I hope it works, but i'm still not sure which number to give them, sounds like maybe i should give them the engine #, if they told you that that's what the vin would've been.