| |
Click on image for the lowdown. 
====
| | | Forums66 Topics128,089 Posts1,056,141 Members48,436 | | Most Online14,466
Apr 26th, 2026 | | AD Chevy Trucks  Over 6,000 pictures Brad Allen has an awesome collection of Chevrolet factory pictures that he has set up from film strips. Check them out!
Lots of work on Brad's part ... pure enjoyment (and references) for you!
| | THANKS!
For helping keep this great
old truck web site
on the Internet for over 30 years! and not clogged down
with Ads!  Again, thanks!
| | | | Joined: Apr 2013 Posts: 74 Shop Shark | | Shop Shark Joined: Apr 2013 Posts: 74 | Bought my 54 3100 in 07 in Iowa. Was given a title with a VIN# on it. Payed no attention to it till I moved to Florida. Truck required authentication to be registered. The inside drivers door plate has a Vehicle Serial # which is different from the VIN on the Iowa title. I have no idea where the VIN # came from or if or where it is located on my truck, but I cant register it. Since its been over ten years title records from the county in Iowa no longer exist. Some have said the VIN is stamped on the frame somewhere but I can’t find it. Unless I do I’ll have to go to court to prove the truck is mine and that the VIN should be the VSN. Any suggestions would be appreciated.
| | | | | Joined: Sep 2001 Posts: 29,269 Bubba - Curmudgeon | | Bubba - Curmudgeon Joined: Sep 2001 Posts: 29,269 | What is the code/ID on the title/registration?
Many vehicles were registered using the engine serial number. What is your engine serial number?
GM did not put “hidden” ID codes on the frame until 1956. There was a recent thread about this.
In many states you can obtain a bonded title, and, if you are lucky, the bond value will be the depreciated original cost of the truck,
Good luck, and let us know how this moves forward for you. | | | | | Joined: Sep 2001 Posts: 29,269 Bubba - Curmudgeon | | Bubba - Curmudgeon Joined: Sep 2001 Posts: 29,269 | | | | | | Joined: May 2005 Posts: 8,983 Sir Searchalot | | Sir Searchalot Joined: May 2005 Posts: 8,983 | If the paper title VIN decodes to the truck you have, as Tim has asked you, then check the motor number as said. If that does not match normally you would tell the MVD that it was matched to the motor and the motor is gone and they will have a procedure for that. HOWEVER, you have a serial number VIN tag on the door. So it could be stolen, paper title from another truck or tag switch or pieced together or anything. Could be a legit reason. That will raise suspicions and you may go on a Government, red tape, costly, time consuming journey.
Post the Title VIN and post the plate Vin.
Note to others: Don't buy a vehicle with a title that does not match an original serial number fastened or stamped somewhere on the truck. Unless you want to "take a ride on the wild side."
Buyers Do-Do list.
1. Check the title and vin plate match
2. Check the rust
3. Check 1. and 2. again.
4. If 1. is present and 2. is not present = good buy
5. Any other combination of 1. and 2. = good bye
Right is right, even if everyone is against it, and wrong is wrong, even if everyone is for it. - William Penn
| | | | | Joined: Sep 2001 Posts: 29,269 Bubba - Curmudgeon | | Bubba - Curmudgeon Joined: Sep 2001 Posts: 29,269 | In NC, if your door opening ID tags looks new and/or the attachment screws/rivets look new, they will not be accepted - a bonded title is your only recourse (if they allow it).
As bartamos posted. | | | | | Joined: Apr 2013 Posts: 74 Shop Shark | | Shop Shark Joined: Apr 2013 Posts: 74 | Thanks for the information. Looks like I’m screwed. The engine # is also different from the serial # and VIN. I’ll post my court experience. | | |
|
|
| |
