The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area General Truck Talk Trying to register the 37

Without a title here you pay DMV $7.00 to tell you ho was the last registered owner. then you send a registered letter to them asking them to sigh it off. It gets returned with no known forwarding address. Back to DMV. Now they want to look at the truck but the body is off the frame.Here the sheriff will come to your home to verify the ID. I made an appointment and explained the body is off the frame so I cant bring it in. So the sheriff comes buy takes one look and said the body must be on the frame for him to check the Vin# The body is in the garage and the frame is directly in front of the garage door.But that is not good enough.

Bill

That just goes to prove the theory that it's best to have clear title in your name before starting any work.

I hope it all works out for you.

Time to get a lawyer, or send it to the scrap yard.

-W

goneagain, at least it sounds like with a little patience you can come out OK but as mentioned above that is definitely a lesson learned for us all.
set the cab on it and call him back.....once he ok's it then set it back off!!!
Just be glad your not trying to do it in S.C.!!!!!!!!!

All is good, there are no numbers on any of these frame's. So it's a non issue.I have a clear title but DMV needs the inspection report before issuing plates.
The only ID numbers on the trucks is on a tag on the firewall held on with two screws. I could have just taken it off and played stupid. That's what I get for being honest I guess.

Bill

So why do you need plates for it if it's all apart off the frame?

I usually transfer title right after the purchase and get the plates when the restoration is complete and it's ready to drive. This saves the $$ of registration and insurance.

I have 3-'37 GMC'S, all have the SN stamped on the outside of the frame, right side, just behind the front spring hanger under the grease and rust, big numbers, Chevy's might be different, though.

I have only had the Panel three weeks. And you are right I don't need the plates now.They can wait but do want to finish the registration.
Thanks
Bill

I've checked both frames and no numbers. Even talked to the Idaho registration expert. So I guess GMC'S are differnt.
Thanks
Bill

The number on the front of the frame is only on GMCs and they quit doing it sometime in the late '40s I think.

As you may or may not know,before 1955 the VIN number was the engine serial number. Once the original engine is gone, the title is no longer valid. The numbers on the cab are production numbers and do not match the title. The frames are not marked or is the cab with the engine number.

I had to have my verified before titleing due to owners mix up and what not with original paper work. Mine is now titled much like a home built trailer with a very long vin number rivited to the door jam.

Good luck with it and don't give up, it can always be worked out .

Joe

I had to take tater to the Highway Patrol to verify the title ID and the engine number were the same.Luckily the previous owner updated the title when he put the newer 235 in it.

I think I would do what the sheriff asked and call him back.I wouldn't do anymore work until it's in your name.



Tim

The sheriff came out yesterday and made the Numbers on the fire wall tag the new VIN#, I took that to DMV and they gave me my new registration A lot of red tape but all they want is to fill in the blanks.
Next time I will just pull the tag off and play stupid.

Red tape is all they know! Glad it worked out.

Jow

I know most all states have different laws. But I just cannot believe you guys are having to find original titles for trucks made in the 30's 40's 50's and 60's.
Here in the "deep south" Alabama did not even have car titles until the early 70's. You just got a bill of sale. I think it was the same in Ms. Tn. and other southern states.
I remember in 1966 I bought a new Hemi-Plymouth, in Ms. and the Dodge dealer only gave you a bill of sale.
How would we ever get a title now on something built from the 20's to the 70's ?
On my 1957 GMC, all I have to do is take a bill of sale from the guy I got it from, to the "tag office" and they will sell me a tag, even an Antique tag thats good forever. I will also get regestration papers at the time, using only the vin #.
Also here in Al. they cannot give you a seat belt ticket, if it did not originally come with belts.

I've been waiting 9 1/2 months for the title to come back on my '46 that I bought out of GA. I had all the paper work in order. I've been to the DMV countless times. The last time I was there they said it had been printed and should be in the mail in a few days, that was two weeks ago. Back I go again. I hope one of these days the squeaky wheel will finally get some grease.
At least I haven't spent any money on it yet, other than the purchase price. The real cute thing is they issued tags and a registration 9 1/2 months ago so I've been driving it like I stole, heck maybe I did, according to them anyway.

I guess the Stovebolt gods threw me a bone. Today when I got home the title was in the mail, I should have posted that rant about 8 months ago.

The title I get from Boise will be a conditional title for three years to make sure that the last registered owner (that I'm sorry to say passed away in 2002)Doesn't try to claim the rig.

Well I received the pink slip for the 37 today.HAPPY DAY!

In CO, one must have a notarized bill of sale, be inspected only by CHP at special location-last inspection before engine change-found out later, inspections only good for 3 years!