The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area General Truck Talk Title and VIN Don't Match

I'm trying to purchase a 56 Chevy pickup, but the seller has a title with a VIN that is clearly not a GM or any other format VIN. There is a VIN stamped on the door jamb placard of the truck, but it doesn't match what's on the title. Has anyone seen this kind of thing before? What can I do to buy the truck but protect myself. My DMV (Pennsylvania) is saying that the title VIN has to match the VIN on the truck - what to do.

What does the owner say, and where is the Stovebolt currently titled? As I recall, some states (can't recall which) use the motor number for title, and a title must be changed if a motor is changed. Just my 2C from memory. Here in Idaho it's like Pa. - without a correct serial number on a previous title - that matches the one on the truck ---- no new title. The current owner should be working to solve this if he ever wants to sell it correctly.
First though, a big welcome to the Stovebolt site!
Hopefully others more knowledgeable than me will chime in here as well. Good luck with the 56 - but I just would not buy until the title etc. meets Pa requirements.
Dale

My understanding is the use of the engine number went away after '55. It's the seller's responsibility to make sure everything's kosher. Often times on these old rides the authorities aren't too strict about requiring the VIN to be on the original data plate so you MAY be able to buy a repop plate and stamp the number on the title on it & mount it to the truck.

FYI, if it was me I'd first run the number on the truck's data plate through the police to make sure you're not buying a huge problem.

Defiinetly tell the seller to get that situation straightened out or you will not buy it. This could be a stolen vehicle with a non matching title,and if that is the case you could end up losing it at a later date. I went thru this situation many years ago on a 1956 Ford pickup that I bought without checking the numbers. The Ohio State Patrol worked on the issue and traced it back to a company in Erie ,PA,that had switched titles a few year before I bought it.This involv4d the owner of the co. in Erie was arrested and taken to court. The OSP issued me a form to take to the title bureau ,they then issued me a correct title for it. I was told,when the OSP first started their investigation,that if it turned out to be a stolen truck,I would lose it,plus the money that I paid for it.Get it straightened out before you make a purchase.

What's the number on the title?

What is the number on the engine? If you have a original 6, the number is pressed into the block in the ledge/boss just to the rear of where the distributor enters the block.

If you are buying a fixer-up -the title may be to the one he has already done a frame-off restoration.

This may be a sweet deal. Heheheehee

Thanks for all the guidance. I will press the seller to resolve, or walk. I really like the 55-57 series and was all excited to see something complete and drivable (though not restored by any means) for roughly just under $4K, but it may not be the 'deal' I've been waiting for.

Again thanks for all the knowledgeable support.

Another place to check for the vin is on the chassis next to the steering box.

For that kind of money I would definately make sure the title was correct. If the truck was really cheap that's another story, but it would still need correcting.
Joe

I had the same problem.... the number is on the motor but Pa will not take that number. You will need to take pictures and a tracing of the VIN on the plate at the door or the other option is to take the truck.
Easy fix ( some will say dont do it) is to buy the truck and transfer the truck but dont put a license plate on it. Then after that paper work goes through ( use a Notary dont go to the DMV) then buy a set of number stamps and a new door VIN plate. Stamp it and take all that with you to the Notary