DMV Inspection Failed, Now CHP California

[flipp]

Guys,

I bought my Model A out of state.

I need to register it in California.

I just got back from DMV and my Model A didn't pass inspection because the engine serial number didn't match the Title Certificate. So, the DMV referred me to the local CHP office for further inspection. I have an appointment next week with CHP.

Question/s:

Is it unusual for the engine to have a different VIN number than the chassis on a Model A?

Does anyone here have any experience in this area?

I still need for DMV to assign my YOM plates (after it passes inspection).. Dang!!

California Sucks!!!

[CarlG]

Most Model A's these days have had the engine changed out at one time or another, therefore the frame # and the engine # won't match like they did when they came from the factory.

On mine, the engine # matches the title, but it is obvious to anyone that knows Model A's that the engine # is not a factory stamped number.

Here in Alaska, when I went to register my PU, they took the California title with narry a wobble. 15 minutes and $200 and I was out of there with my new Alaska "Collector Car" plates.

[flipp]

Thanks CarlG.. I agree. I think the engine has been replaced. But weird thing is that the out of state (Colorado in this case) title certificate shows a different VIN number on it.

Is that going to be a problem when CHP inspects it?

[shuttlebuggy]

Sent you a PM

[Patrick L.]

Originally Posted by flipp

Thanks CarlG.. I agree. I think the engine has been replaced. But weird thing is that the out of state (Colorado in this case) title certificate shows a different VIN number on it.

Is that going to be a problem when CHP inspects it?

So, are you saying that the engine number doesn't match the frame number doesn't match the title VIN ?

[flipp]

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Originally Posted by Patrick L.

So, are you saying that the engine number doesn't match the frame number doesn't match the title VIN ?

The VIN number on the chassis matches the title certificate but the engine doesn't.

[Patrick L.]

Originally Posted by flipp

The VIN number on the chassis matches the title certificate but the engine doesn't.

OK, then there shouldn't be a problem.

[zzlegend]

Originally Posted by Patrick L.

OK, then there shouldn't be a problem.

Lifting the body shouldn't be a problem?
There is another way but some on here would frown on it.

[hardtimes]

Originally Posted by flipp

The VIN number on the chassis matches the title certificate but the engine doesn't.

Hey flipp.
My '30 roadster had exact same situation as you car. Frame # matched pink slip #. A CHP supervisor was working at the time that I arrived at DMV office. He KNEW exactly where the frame number was stamped..under the left front fender. He owned old cars as a hobby. He looked at the blown A engine and saw that the cert # did not match the engine #. Politely said...'take up the fender and bring car back to me to see what you found'. Frame number matched pink slip and all was right in the world,eh. Subsequently, I stamped exact frame number on side of frame EXACTLY below original number location, so I wouldn't forget as I grow old with car.
To answer your engine question, IMO, there are VERY few cars that ever survived with same engine # as frame has (if it ever was to begin with).

[Skibb]

Originally Posted by flipp

Guys,

I bought my Model A out of state.

I need to register it in California.

I just got back from DMV and my Model A didn't pass inspection because the engine serial number didn't match the Title Certificate. So, the DMV referred me to the local CHP office for further inspection. I have an appointment next week with CHP.

Question/s:

Is it unusual for the engine to have a different VIN number than the chassis on a Model A?

Does anyone here have any experience in this area?

I still need for DMV to assign my YOM plates (after it passes inspection).. Dang!!

California Sucks!!!

I had the same issue twice in Florida. I asked my local club for advice. Your closest club can tell you what works in Calif. Good Luck.

[silversink]

This is the reason I keep the old engine in the back of the shop, I have to go thru this very thing changing the title from Washington to Oregon. Can't wait as the DMV says we have ways to solve these title change problems---don't know if this is good or bad.

[1930artdeco]

This is what I did when I registered my car from Oregon to Ca. I went down and when they asked about the VIN I explained that the car does not have a VIN number and that they used the engine number. In my case it was registered in Oregon and they installed a sticker in the door jamb with that number. So that is what they used. I DID NOT tell then where the frame number was as I did not want to lift the body.

The DMV just doesn't know there job when it comes to these cars (sorry to anyone who works for DMV here). You will have to educate them unless you find someone who remembers these cars when new.

Mike

[al's28/33]

I showed them the engine stamp # and said this is all I got! Plus I brought my "A" books that detailed the engine stamp # and had the guy read a few highlighted lines and he thought a little then passed me!

[Ron W]

In Maine, made sure the engine number matched the paper work. I have no idea what it says on the frame. Ron W

[Slowplane]

The first rule when dealing with the California DMV is..... DON'T!!

always use, or, at least, talk to a DMV service. These are private companies that are savvy to the DMV nuances, and, for a small fee, handle your paperwork for you.
When I lived in California, and was buying and restoring out-of-state or country cars and motorcycles, I found them invaluable. Basically they will help you not to "put yer foot in it", as so often happens when dealing with government agencies.

[PC/SR]

Dealing with Calif DMV and the CHP worked out for me because the CHP guy liked old cars and was much more interested in talking about the car than in doing the paperwork so he OKed it with just making a new registration plate he rivited on. I had no paper whatsoever to start with.
However, Slowplane's advice to get a DMV service assistant is good advice if things go sideways. They are usually former DMV employees and know the rules and procedures better that you ever will.
I suggest you let the CHP guy look at it and see what he does. It might work out. If not, search the web for a Service in SoCal.
Just remember that they want the registration money so ultimately it can be done.

[ronn]

Never heard of having to inspect in Cali............ am wondering what route you've gone?
Have sold "paper" to Cali and never an inspection-one of the easiest states.
Slow has it right, when you don't know what you are doing......... use an agency.

[flipp]

Originally Posted by ronn

Never heard of having to inspect in Cali............ am wondering what route you've gone?
Have sold "paper" to Cali and never an inspection-one of the easiest states.
Slow has it right, when you don't know what you are doing......... use an agency.

They said it needed inspection because it was an out-of-state car.

[Brobrian]

I live in CA, and had exactly the same experience. It took a while. The first step was to get the CHP to install a vin plate on the door jam. Then head back to the DMV. Clear sailing after that.

In my case there was an additional step because the supervisor at the DMV didn't know the rules for old cars. She said that since mine was a pickup it had to be registered as a commercial vehicle and thus have a tare established. So, I had to go to the local dump and have them give me a tare certificate before the DMV would register the pickup. Shouldn't be an issue with coupes and sedans.

I have to agree with the post about using another agency rather that the DMV. My neighbor uses AAA. I'm not insure with them, but after getting the runaround from the DMV, I'll go another route next time.

[denis4x4]

Learned years ago that when the body is off the frame, call a local law enforcement agency and pay $25 for a VIN verification certificate that you can use later to register the A. There are some DMV personel that know that Model A's have a frame number and that's what they want to register the car. Too, I always clean up the frame where the number is stamped and use white-out to highlight the numbers and take photos.

I understand that this isn't a solution for somebody buying a finished car, but it helps if you're doing a restoration on a car with dubious paperwork or doing a bonded title.