The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area General Truck Talk VIN Question

Here in mid Missouri there is an auction this weekend with a 49 1/2 ton on the list.
I know the auctioneer and he let me have a preview of the truck and the VIN on the title.
Now, here is the question, there was no numbers on the machined area below the distributor.
The door serial number plate was non readable so the title VIN will not match the truck.
Everything looks original on this truck including the motor and miles.
Were some engines not stamped?

Pictures are in the Stovebolt Spotting threads.
Don

Chances are the engine has been swapped early in the truck's lifespan for a factory replacement. Does the title number resemble an alpha-numeric engine number from the vintage of the truck?
Jerry

I'm with Jerry. My engine was swapped out in '54 (fleet truck that was likely rode hard and put away wet) and has no serial number stamped behind the distributor. I even tried an acid etch to see if it had been machined off. Nothing there.

Could be a nightmare getting a good title.

I've read about getting a bonded title in Illinois. Don't know much on it, but it costs 1 1/2 times the wholesale value of the truck for a 3 year period! It never occurred to me the hassle when I bought the truck without title.

if you have the VIN from the title they are giving you. Validate that it is valid aka not stolen or currently registered.

you can treat the truck like a bill of sale OR check with DMV on the door plate not legible issue. all states have the ability to issue a NEW Vin just like if you built this truck up or its not legible and re-issue the plate.
As long as the state says the title is clear (old or new vin) then that what matters.
Issuing a New VIN clears up a lot of hassle like not having 16 digits. some folks just don't get the fact that the computer says that old 1947 vin is not valid its not long enough. says the computer lol

I have lucked-out on getting a bonded title in NY and in NC on my 54/55 GMC COE (in NY) and on my 1954 3106 Suburban (in NC).

I had the "door jamb" plates but they had been removed/replaced during painting.

The DMV inspectors could have refused my registration in both cases.

But, I have a lot of documentation, so they both allowed a bonded title.

In both cases they allowed the bond to be set at the original list price - they could have required a recent valuation by a professional antique vehicle appraiser (who might have valued them at 10x - 20x the the original price).

If the auctioneer is legit. And they currently hold the valid title.
They can get a replacement plate from the state of MO and attach before sale.

Or you can do it after sale.

https://dor.mo.gov/forms/5062.pdf is straight forward if the title is legit with VIN.

Take a closer look at the door jamb plate. The relevant numbers and letters are stamped into it. Could be they are obscured by oversprayed paint or discolored to the point of obscuring their presence. You might be able to read those numbers and letters if you cleaned it up until you can make them out.

Joe Dude I suspect you will find that Illinois SOS will be a nightmare,tried to get fourth 1/4 plate for my 48 dump truck. Would have been over 500$. Used to be 267$ for the year. They also tax you on value of the truck sls. tax. Sorry my state is impossible.

This post is a little old and after the fact now. Just adding info.

From my experience (not just reading about it):
In my state (other states are different, especially GA), a vehicle that hasn't had the registration renewed in a long time is a "red flag" with the DMV computer system regardless of the title, VIN tag and engine serial number. In this case, proof of ownership and vehicle inspection MAY be required. Sometimes our NCHP does the inspection. The logic is to catch stolen classic vehicles. My state license plate agency can provide a printout of the DMV records of previous owners and their addresses up to (? have to look it up) years back. Title transfer would require signature of the last owner, or legal heir (with paperwork), and buyer witnessed by a certified notary or certified plate agency notary. The owner-seller and buyer do not have to meet. Their signatures has to be witnessed/notarized.

Any auctioneer who deals with automobiles would know this.
I THINK (I don't know) in most states it is illegal to sell or auction a vehicle without a valid (provable) title.
Without a good title, you are basically buying parts.