The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area General Truck Talk Titling problems

I just bought a truck off ebay. 1952 Chevrolet 3100. Anyways it said it had a clear title. Upon arrival of the truck, the title did not match the truck engine or the cab serial numbers. The title ID# was for the truck's original engine. The truck had an engine swap and the title was never updated. Since I bought it off ebay I can use the buyer protection program to get all my money back, but i would rather work with the seller for a fix.
I am in Las Vegas with the truck and he is in northern california where the truck is titled. Any ideas?

I used Donna Leek for registering my three vehicles. 530 320-5708 No problems, one had not been registered in California and did not have an original title. She did the leg work and in three weeks I have a valid title in my name. She works Northern California and does travel. I got her from the Model A club, but it looks like the guys at Jalopy journal like her too.

I just re-read the post and realized you already have the truck in Vegas. This will present difficulties, unless you can find someone in Vegas that does this type of work.

IMHO it's worth a try to fix it with the seller. If I were the seller I'd be willing to do some leg work to keep from having to give all of the money back. I don't know what it would take since I've never been in this exact situation. The first thing I would recommend is to contact your state licensing authority (not the local tag office), explain the situation and ask what their procedure is to resolve the problem. All states have faced this before and have a process for resolving it. I could be as simple as running the numbers to verify it's not stolen then issuing a state issued VIN that you have to put on a tag and attach to the truck. Good luck.

It would be easier if the truck hadn't changed hands already and was still with the P.O. Was the truck currently registered or was it registered in the last ten years? If it hasn't, then use a service like I did, the numbers won't be in the system after ten years and they can issue you a new title in your name with the numbers on your body tag. I have seen body tags with both the engine number and the serial number on them, probably due to this same problem.

Just a caution - the Buyer Protection provisions on E Bay have an expiry date I think. If you choose to work with the previous Owner, I'd get a letter from him to the effect that he will refund your $$ if title issues can't be resolved.

Thanks for all the info.
The truck has a title and was last registered in 2002. I talked to the CA DMV and they are requiring me to take the truck to the closest CHP office and have them do a vin inspection. From there they will see the newer engine not matching the old engine serial. They said the CHP officer will then use the body tag as the Vin#. They called this Blue Tagging? Anyways this seems to be the most logical method, except I dont have any way of getting the truck there since it isn't running. I believe the seller is going to have to step up to the plate. Also I do want to say I have 45 days since the day of closing of the bid to deal with ebay. They have been great, but I am trying to make this work with the seller first.

One way to deal with it is get the title transferred to your name in your state and don't register it to drive. You will have title in your name before you put any more into it. Then when you get it running, go back and register it, explaining you have changed the engine. Then you can have a sheriff in your county sign the papers.

I had the local deputy sheriff come to my house to do the vin check.
Ask if you can have the CHP come to you.

That seems to be your best bet.
I think the closest California DMV to you is Needles. If the Seller refuses to cover the cost of towing the truck there and back for the blue tag then consider invoking your buyer protection.

It is a challenge to register these truck in Nevada even with all the proper paperwork.

Hey Guys I talked to Donna a few days ago. She is going to take care of it for me. The seller has been kind enough to pick up the tab for her services to correct this problem. I will know later this week the results after her appointment at the DMV.

In Connecticut we don't need a title for anything older than '81, only a bill of sale. If it hasn't been registered in CT in the past five years they do a VIN verification. All that is is a check that the truck was never stolen or totaled. I have NEVER heard of a state checking engine numbers.

That is good news

My 50 is titled by the door post number. Back in 2007 when I went to Nevada DMV with a current California title and registration the Nevada inspector freaked because the door post plate was held on by screws(factory screws). Was almost a bad day. Luckily a supervisor came over and was resonable.


Good luck

swampyankee, I have brought two old vehicles in from out of state and here in S.C. if the engine number is the title number then it better be on the engine. LUCKILY, I checked before I bought the panel back in 2005 and the engine number matched the title. S.C. does come out and look for that number if its on the title.....or they did up until just recently.
My new title number, when they send it to me, has a different title number and I'm ready to go!!

IF ANY CALIFORNIA STOVEBOLTERS HAVE PROBLEMS PLEASE FEEL FREE TO CONTACT ME I AM A LICENSED AND BONDED CALIFORIA VIN VERIFIER/MOBILE DMV SERVICE JOHN 626-918-5719

I sent you an email but never heard back from you.

I received a receipt from the California DMV with my new Vin number on it. I should have the title in another week or so. Donna is a miracle worker and I would recommend her.
Brad