'37 60 problems
 

I am currently trying to register a 37. My great grandfather took the original body off and made a custom one. The car bounced around for awhile and I finally got my hands on it. The problem I am running into is that this car has never been registered. Since there is no title or Vin plates this is quickly becoming a bigger pain than it needs to be. I am currently a resident of South Dakota so I called them and they told me that since the car originated from Minnesota I needed a Minnesota title. So I called Minnesota, they don't seem to know what I am asking.

My question for you guys is what do I have to do to make this easy?

Re: '37 60 problems
 

The frame should have a vin stamped in it on the driver's side front frame horn

Re: '37 60 problems
 

Would that still be a 16 digit vin because the only number I can find is eight digits.

Re: '37 60 problems
 

Are you sure that is a 1937 Ford Frame?

Looks pretty short for 1937 Ford passenger car frame.

Re: '37 60 problems
 

I was just looking at that. I think the frame was at the very least modified.

Re: '37 60 problems
 

It would/should be a serial number located on top of left side frame rail near where the steering box mounting bracket is riveted in place... IF....your grandfather used the original frame. This is not a vin number as considered by todays terminology, but this is the number that would have appeared on the title (if State of origin had titles back then) and would also appear on the registration paperwork.
It seems to me if you have some type records of purchase for this vehicle over the years since it was built, you should be able to take that and the serial number information to the DMV/MVA in your State and apply for a new title, tags, and registration papers. This may require some personal visits to the DMV/MVA and discussions with the appropriate people there rather than making phone calls and talking to clerks who normally answer the phone and have no clue as to what they are taking about. JMO

Note: A serial number might look something like this for an 85hp early Ford V-8.....☆18-xxxxxxx ☆....but not certain if a '37 60hp vehicle would have had an 18 prefix or possibly another two digit number.

Re: '37 60 problems
 

I have all the paperwork that has anything to do with the car since my grandfather sold it in 2004. I'm going through it all now to see if I can find anything.

Re: '37 60 problems
 

This is where bureaucracy buries common sense. Drive it and if they ever ask about registration, I'd explain how big government didn't have an answer for you and laugh them off.

Re: '37 60 problems
 

Just found a page that said it is also a custom frame so there goes that idea.

Re: '37 60 problems
 

Any other ideas?

Re: '37 60 problems
 

Assembler's title

Re: '37 60 problems
 

How would I go about doing that

Re: '37 60 problems
 

How to Register a Custom or Antique Vehicle in South Dakota

Like most other motor vehicles, custom-built and antique vehicles must be properly registered and titled in the state of South Dakota. However, the process of registering an antique or custom-built vehicle is different from registering a regular vehicle. If you have brought an antique or custom-built vehicle into South Dakota for a first time registration, or if you have custom-assembled a vehicle in the State, you will be referred to the County Treasurer's Office near you.
WHAT ARE ANTIQUE AND CUSTOM BUILT VEHICLES?

• In South Dakota, an antique vehicle is called a Historic Vehicle and is defined as any motor vehicle that was manufactured more than thirty years before.
• The State defines a custom-built vehicle as a Rebuilt Vehicle which is any motor vehicle that has been assembled or completely reconstructed using new or used parts and does not resemble the original vehicle from which the parts were taken. Custom vehicles are registered with the make as "custom-built." The model year will be the year in which the vehicle was built.

Re: '37 60 problems
 

Here's a link to the SEMA website related to registering specialty vehicles which may be helpful to you. On here you can look up the specific requirements for your state. If you intend to drive the car on the public highways you need proof of registration and liability insurance. You can try laughing that off and blaming the govt as previously suggested but I don't think the authorities will buy into that.

http://www.semasan.com/page.asp?cont...olbox&g=SEMAGA

Re: '37 60 problems
 

If this guy can get a fully legal and street worthy title, you should have no problems at all.

Re: '37 60 problems
 

A correct 1937 Ford 60 hp "Engine/Transmission" number, which is stamped on the frame in three places, should be a star, followed by "54" followed by a serial number between 6602 and 358334, and then a star again. Example: * 54 - 150666 * would be a correct 1937 number. See also http://www.vanpeltsales.com/FH_web/f...ialnumbers.htm

Charlie Stephens

Re: '37 60 problems
 

bfreeman, keep us posted here on how this goes down for you. Might be a good learning curve for others in the same basic boat to follow if they happen to fall into a similar situation. Of course each State may have different rules and procedures, but in general there could be many similarities on how to approach this.