My father (who lives in California) recently purchased a 1966 convertible Mustang from Florida. When it arrived, he found the VIN was missing, as the panel it's located on had apparently been replaced. When he attempted to register the car in CA, he was required to take it down to the Highway Patrol who ended up impounding it in order to perform an investigation. My father was told one of two things could happen through their investigation - 1) if it's determined the car has a clear title, they will register it, 2) if inconclusive, it will have to go to a hearing and there's a chance the car will be crushed.
Through his own investigation, my father is comfortable it's not a stolen vehicle as he knows the person he bought it from (who had it for many years), and he called the Florida DMV who shows a clean title on it.
In any event, I was wondering if anyone has experienced something similar and can provide advice. Many thanks!
Welcome to the Peoples Republic of California... something like this happened to my friend with his old VW, no title, had to get it inspected by the CHP the also impounded it, and it took about four months. After "they located" the VIN (where we had told them to look), they cleared it and he was able to get the title. Your dad should have just unbolted the passenger fender so they could see the orginal VIN.
Best of luck.
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Mike
I've had 60 cars....most of them Mustangs :-)
I'm in Texas and know the procedure for my state, don't know if it's the same for California. However, there is more than one place to find the VIN.
I can tell you of a camaro that had the front clip repoaced and had 2 VIN's on it. Here, the car was seized and a hearing was had to determine whether it was stolen. After the owner brought in the documentation of where he had gottent the car, the parts he had bought to repair the car (including the origin of the 2nd VIN) it was determined the car was legit.
Documentation is the key. Sadly, even if you know the prior owner, if he was not the original owner, there is always a chance the car is stolen. Do your research on the history of the car and get all paperwork possible from the prior owner(s) and the Florida DMV.
What about the dataplate on the door? Couldn't that be used. If they decode it and it matches your car, for example, the paint code and the colour of the car match, and the engine, transmission, and interior colour all match on both the dataplate and the car, couldn't that be used as evidence?
What about the dataplate on the door? Couldn't that be used...
First those say right on them, "Not for title or registration". Second, for $35 you can buy a new one that says anything you want it to say. The VIN on the passenger's fender, if its still there, might have worked although its all up to the CHP now.
Here in the Banana Republic of NM you can register almost anything especially if you know someone in the DMV. Sometimes that's better than a Peoples Republic, sometimes not.
As long as the passenger side VIN matches, you will have no problem. The door also has the VIN but they do not like to rely on this because it can be removed
We just registered our car here in California for the first time since 1978. I called and the local police came by and verified the VIN. I had both fenders removed so the numbers could be seen. He filled out the paper I had printed from the DMV. Took maybe 10 minutes to do.
The DMV asked if the the car had been driven since last registered because after 10 years of non registration, the car falls out of the system.
I guess if you make it easy for them, they can make it easy for you.
Good luck and bring a book to read at the DMV if you dont make an appointment!
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Last edited by 66 restomod; 04-25-2009 at 12:04 PM.
Reason: spell
It turns out the VIN doesn't physically exist anywhere on the car and it's going to a hearing in June. I was wondering if anyone has experienced this and has suggestions for preparing for the hearing?
It turns out the VIN doesn't physically exist anywhere on the car and it's going to a hearing in June. I was wondering if anyone has experienced this and has suggestions for preparing for the hearing?
The passenger side stamp is also missing (after removing the fender)????
__________________
Mike
I've had 60 cars....most of them Mustangs :-)
Only misinformed DMV people will use the Door Plate as a VIN #
The doorplate and the plate you show are the exact same thing. I already suggested that (as dataplate), but they said they can't use it for a title. But I have to say, don't let them squish it! I know a way they can confirm the car. If the doortag is still on the car, then check the engine's number. It should match if the car has the original engine.
I do not know specific California law, but am familiar with Texas law. Calponycars may be more help here. Usually the hearing is to determine who has greater right to possess the vehicle, but in your case it may also be to determine if the vehicle is stolen and, in either case, ultimately whether or not you keep it or it gets destroyed.
In either case, you need as much documentation as you can get. Go back to the prior owner and get his documentation. Go to Florida DMV and get a title history. Trace this car's title as far as you can. Trace it through all the prior owners you can find, and CONTACT them to help you.
The fact it has NO VIN on it, anywhere, does not bode well. The only reason for such an animal is because it was stolen at some point. You may find the car started in a state other than Florida, one that sells old cars on only a "Bill of Sale" and they "cleaned" it by transferring through different states.
1966 Mustang Impounded 
something like this happened to my friend with his old VW, no title, had to get it inspected by the CHP the also impounded it, and it took about four months. After "they located" the VIN (where we had told them to look), they cleared it and he was able to get the title. Your dad should have just unbolted the passenger fender so they could see the orginal VIN. 
