The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area General Truck Talk Trying to purchase a truck that has no VIN or Registration

I'm looking at a 1950 project truck its torn down to the frame, motor and tranny are gone. The owner says he does not have the VIN or Registration. Are there any places on the body or frame that I should be looking for some sort of ID numbers? I don't want to get stuck with a stolen vehicle.

Main reason I'm interested is that the frame is done with 4 link rear and has a front Camaro clip on it... I can't buy the parts for what he is asking.

Some of the GMC's had the number stamped on the right front frame outside.

Thx!

I never buy a vehicle without Title. If the GMC does NOT have a frame number, you can use it's chassis with a body that has a Legit VIN and title. It would be like buying a FatMan chassis for a truck I think. You can not, however, grind off or fill in the frame stamp on that 4 link/Camaro chassis if it has one. You will have to see what the Gendarmes say. The question, Where did he get it? Does he have Bill of Sale? Can you contact the previous owner? Why no title? The price should be very very cheap...1. No title, 2. Not many buyers interested in those mods, 3. Mods may be done shoddy. 4. Risk re: untested components (can't drive) 5. Torn apart may be missing parts.
Look on both sides of frame. Cletis (moderator) knows if and where it is. In Arizona, they don't look at the vehicle, just transfer the title.

This gets discussed a lot. Most states used the engine number on the title as the VIN through '55. Every state has a process through which to obtain a title when a vehicle has none. You should contact your state licensing authority to find out what that process is in your state. Having said that I now see you're in Canada. The answer is the same. You'll need to contact the authorities in your province. Good luck with it.

The stamped numbers on GMC frames ended in the late '40s. The '50 won't have one. Plus this info applies to US built trucks. I don't know if Canadian production ever had frames stamped.

My 1949 Check 1/2t has an ID plate attached to the drivers side door casing between the hinges on the body.

If that Camaro front clip has a VIN number anywhere on it, I can see the possibility of a whole load of legal problems if you can't prove where it came from. I'd run fast and far from that deal unless the seller comes up with some paperwork. When you start factoring ambulance chasers' fees into the cost, that bargain might turn into a nightmare!
Jerry

Oh Arizona looks. You got lucky. Had cops in the garage and haul it to the DMV FOR A LEVEL II inspection. I'm legal.

I got lucky 30 times in a row. You had a non typical situation you don't mention. If you are talking AZ. I'm legal. I take the signed title to DMV and get it transferred into my name. If they ever ask to see the vehicle, I will show them.

Guess I was unlucky. All good now.

One of my racing buddies narrowly avoided going to jail over a junker Monte Carlo he was building into a round track car. Nashville's finest looked like the Keystone Kops crawling all over the car looking for a VIN number after somebody accused him of stealing a gutted-out body and frame!
Jerry