Bogus VIN plate on '67 Firebird ragtop?

The VIN plate on my '67 Firebird convertible is for a coupe,

22337xxxxxxxx, when it should be 22367xxxxxxx. The title is for a convertible. I've had the car for about 25 years now and had it titled and registered in 3 states before this one, but it hasn't been registered yet in NJ since it's in need of an engine rebuild. (I'm working on it. It's only taken me 15 years to pull the motor out and pull it apart.)

One cop in PA told me during a traffic stop not to worry about the discrepancy because the VIN on the car and registration were only off by one number. I'm wondering if NJ will have a problem with this when I eventually register it, and if so, what I can do about it. Pontiac Historical Services will send me a build sheet and all that, but I need a good VIN or it's useless, right? Is there any other place in the car that would have the VIN? The cowl body info plate is for a convertible, but the VIN isn't on that. The car has been way apart a few times (it was almost a shell when I bought it), and I didn't come across any paperwork hidden anywhere. Body hasn't been off the frame since I've had it.

It would feel better to have the car match the title.

Reply to
PH
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I'm not sure about 1967 cars, I do know 1968 cars have at least a partial VIN on the cowl plate.

If you have VIN Numbers that do not match the Title, or the car, you have serious Issues.

If the Production numbers do not match between the title and VIN, then you do not have to title to your vehicle. If they do not, your best coarse of action is not a pleasant one. As it involves turning all the info and the vehicle over to your state police.

If they do match. It is possible someone did a convertible conversion on the car. Then someone else put the code on the title out of error. This sort of thing has happened before. It can be a problem to get straightened out.

Charles

Reply to
Charles Bendig

One way to check I believe is this:

If you get a PHS package for the VIN # you know (apparently a coupe) and on there should be the job #/body #/data from the cowl plate. I think 1967 PHS information is a little different than 1968 and up.

'68 and up was more geared for "theft prevention", Pontiac started stamping a hidden VIN # (as Charles stated), started stamping the motor and trans with the VIN (which are done partially for theft prevention) and such. 1967 wasn't like that from what I remember. You'll get essentially a manifest card from PHS on a '67.

You might prove your case if you take your VIN, send it to PHS and see if any data you get from the packet matches the cowl tag. If a body job # or a schedule # matches items on the cowl tag, then something may have been in error at the factory. If the job # on the VIN or other data doesn't match the cowl tag, you have a tag job.

I would say there is enough data on the cowl tag and the VIN packet you'll get to reasonably assert or prove doubt.

If the cowl tag shows a green car with a hardtop and option X, Y, Z built in May of 1967 for instance and the VIN packet contains NONE of those elements, we are likely talking about two different cars.

Joe--ASE Certified Parts Specialist & 10th Ann.Club Tech Director '80 Carousel Red Turbo T/A, 27k orig. '79 "Y89" 400/4 speed 10th Ann. T/A, 57k orig '84 Olds 88 Royale Bgm 2 dr, 307 "Rocket" (lol), 143k and still going.... '91 S10 Blazer 4.3Z

Reply to
Bigjfig

X-No-Archive: Yes

Probably, I had to. Or would have but I had an escape hatch and got the > The VIN plate on my '67 Firebird convertible is for a coupe,

-- "The web has got me caught. I'd rather have the blues than what I've got."

Reply to
Norm

Several alternatives:

  1. Just fill out the paperwork using the correct VIN number and see if they process it without doing a direct "stare and compare" to the VIN as shown on the title you'll be turning in. I know this has been done before :-) :-) If they catch the one digit/character difference, claim it was a typo and revert to #2 below.

  1. Fill out and title all the paperwork as per your actual title...no one looks at the actual VIN plate anyway...especially if the 1967 VIN isn't in plain view on the windscreen post.

Just some thoughts...

Reply to
Bill Sohl

In the state of Ohio, they are supposed to. If you title a car in Ohio after it has been titled in a different state, you must have what they call a "State Inspection" Which some car dealers can do, yet the generial public usually goes to the BMV.

Also in Ohio, if you get pulled over for a traffic voilation, some officers will run the VIN number on the car. Especially in high crime area's, no matter whom you are.

Charles

Reply to
Charles Bendig

Sounds like a typo was made somewhere along the line with one of the title transfers - if you look at the numpad on your keyboard you'll see that the 6 is right over the three. Its quite possible that the number was altered during one of the title transfers.

Since you've owned the car for 25 years, and could get several people to sign affidavits to that effect, you could go to a common pleas Judge and submit all the info, including a signed statement by you.

I bought a car in PA that had been through two other owners, but not transferred into their names/states, and never roadworthy during that time. I had bill of sales from both PO's as well as the last "good" signed titled, and an Ohio out-of-state inspection showing the VIN to match the old title. I went the court route since it was my only option short of tracking down the several previous owners and convincing them to go back and re-register it in each of their respective states.....

The Judges office held the paperwork for about 5 weeks, during which time they did a hot vehicle search several times. They called me to come pick up the bench verdict directing the BMV to issue me a new Ohio title for the vehicle.

Might be worth investigating in NJ.

Reply to
v8z

Apparently you have more of a problem than you realize. If you hold a Pennsylvania motor vehicle title that was never officially transferred by a notary or a PennDOT agent to a subsequent owned, it still officially belongs to the previous owner no matter how many times it changed hand subsequently. In PA the owner MUST appear in front of a legal transfer agent, and prove they are the owner listed on the title and sign the 'Seller' section in the presence of the official and obtain their seal.. Short of possessing a 'Power of attorney' one can not legally transfer a Pa title by ANY other manor. Whatever anyone in a NG may tell you, a Pa title that is signed without the seal is worthless.

I would suggest you contact PennDOT to determine the owner of record. They can tell that by the title number. Once you determine the legal owner of record you can contact them. The owner of record will need to apply for a duplicate title, the signed open title you have is no longer transferable, that can then be properly exchange for a NJ title. If you can show the actual sale took place more than six month previously you will not need to pay the NJ sales tax. You do not need insurance to effect the tittle transfer but you will need insurance to obtain a license tag.

mike hunt

v8z wrote:

Reply to
BigJohnson

True, but they will run the VIN derived from the vehicle registration...not the stamped plate that has the VIN on it...especially if the VIN isn't readily in plain sight (e.g. on a door jam or under the hood).

Cheers, Bill

Reply to
Bill Sohl

A State Inspection, in Ohio involves a visual inspection of the VIN Plate. No matter where it is located. It also Includes looking at the fenders, hood, & door.

Police Officers in the area I live in will check a VIN regardless of location. Even if you get pulled over to let you know you have a marker lamp out.

This is done to combat auto-theft. Which in the Dayton Ohio area is rampant. Charles

Reply to
Charles Bendig

Good thing about vehicles registered as antique in NJ is NO inspection.

So if I get stopped driving my 1961 TR3, the cops would have me get out of my vehicle and open the hood so they can check the VIN #? I've been stopped in more than a handful of states and never encountered such a request from the police anytime or anywhere.

Interesting...but certainly not the norm in most other states/locales that I am aware of. Your mileage may vary :-)

Cheers, Bill

Reply to
Bill Sohl

Here in New Jersey, they run the plate number through the hotlist and check it against the registration card that you carry. George Patterson If you want to know God's opinion of money, just look at the people he gives it to.

Reply to
G.R. Patterson III

digit/character

it...especially

Even when coming in from another state?

Depending on the area of the state of Ohio, Yes they will. Far less likely in a small rural town, then in a larger city, with a high auto theft rate.

It has happened to me. It has even happened to Bikers I know.

BTW: the one time I was pulled over in NJ (my brother lives out there), The officer did run my VIN number. Maybe because I was from out of state, driving an older van. Charles

Reply to
Charles Bendig

I never Carry my vehicle registration with me. I always leave it at home or in the office at work. I leave nothing in my cars to tell a thief where I live.

In Ohio it is common for thief's to switch license plates every few hours on a stolen car. If they did not run the VIN they would not catch many of them. Charles

Reply to
Charles Bendig

I just bought a 76 Chevrolet Nova in Texas, and brought it to Arkansas.... part of the proceedings to get license plates on a car brought in from out of Arkansas is that one of the sheriffs deputies had to come out to the parking lot of the courthouse,and verify that the VIN matched the title.

Reply to
Markansas

You are required by law to carry it in New Jersey. I keep mine in my wallet. If you are stopped, you will have to produce license, registration, and insurance card. Failure to produce any of them on demand will set you back $100 or so. You will also have to show up in court to prove that you actually do have the documents. If you didn't produce one because you don't have one, it gets *real* expensive.

George Patterson If you want to know God's opinion of money, just look at the people he gives it to.

Reply to
G.R. Patterson III

IF the vehicle is being registered as antique then there's no inspection...even if brought in from another state. Technically the vehicle is supposed to be "self-inspected" by the owner.

Well bikers have plain view VIN plates...not so almost any vehicle built prior to 1968/69. That's when the federal law required VIN number plates to be readable from outside the windshield...most were then affixed to the driver's winshield frame.

Cheers, Bill

Reply to
Bill Sohl

If you do NOT have the vehicle registration with you in NJ and a cop stops you, the fine is $150+ for failure to produce vehicle documentation.

Cheers, Bill

Reply to
Bill Sohl

Unless you have a NJ PBA card (ahem...lol) among other cards in your wallet's arsenal.

Since you're sympathetic to that guy's pension, he's likely to let you go if the rest of your P's and Q's are in order :).

Joe--ASE Certified Parts Specialist & 10th Ann.Club Tech Director '80 Carousel Red Turbo T/A, 27k orig. '79 "Y89" 400/4 speed 10th Ann. T/A, 57k orig '84 Olds 88 Royale Bgm 2 dr, 307 "Rocket" (lol), 143k and still going.... '91 S10 Blazer 4.3Z

Reply to
Bigjfig

Yet another reason for me to avoid Ohio. My bike ('72 Triumph) has no VIN.

George Patterson If you want to know God's opinion of money, just look at the people he gives it to.

Reply to
G.R. Patterson III

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