The Stovebolt Site Forums The Side Lot BC Bolters VIN and ICBC

My '53 GMC came up from the USA where they used the engine casting number as the vehicle registration in the old days. Some time in the last 60 years the engine was replaced with another 228ci six so now there is no place you would find the registration number on the truck to match what's on the paperwork. The ICBC agent said I have to apply for a B.C. VIN through ICBC. Anyone have to do this or is there another option? It's not a big deal really but a lot of paperwork and hassle. There is a serial number for the truck on the door post plate but that appears no place on the Washington registration, only the old engine # that isn't there any more.

surprised someone got it across the border without the numbers on the title matching the numbers on the truck - you have no option except to go thru the hassle or do something illegal

Bill

I had the same problem. It's not the casting number, but the engine serial number beside the distributor. Lucky for me the previous owner emailed me a letter stating he had replaced the cracked block which had the vin number.
I too got it across the border, the US agent came out and looked at it. When I came to the canadian side I gave the the vin off the door post which I assumed everyone would use. They too did not question the difference from the title.
I fought tooth and nail with ICBC and they finally gave in and registered the truck using the vin on the door post.
I was at the point of making a new metal plate to glue to the block, over the number, with the number they wanted to see. Never got that far thank goodness.
It was my agent phoning in to ICBC asking what I could do and pleading for an answer.
Good luck.

John

That is interesting that they allowed you to use the serial number on the door plate as your VIN John. I'd like to talk to your agent about the possibility of doing the same thing since you've already set a president. Maybe it's time I changed ICBC agents.