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California VIN Verification

BDubz

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Hello everyone,

Have any of you had any issues with California VIN Verification? I have had my car down at the CHP office on 2 separate occasions for a total of 3 hours and they have yet to be able to sign-off that the vehicle is legit. I bought the vehicle when I lived in AZ from a family friend of 25 years. He was the second owner and owned the vehicle for 22 of those years. The CHP folks, very friendly, are having a difficult time matching some of the numbers together. The car has had the engine swapped out, but they tell me that that is not an issue.

Just curious if anyone else has experienced this or if anyone is aware of a website that will help with providing information on the vehicle.

Regards,
BDubz
 
No,
I do not understand the issue...
I have registered numerous cars into CA or...cars from CA that had "dropped" out of the system (Black plate cars)

BUT: I have heard of some "dick-head's" at the DMV and VIN inspection services..
Hey, its CA...if you aint driving a Hybrid or electric...your Satan's chiild...

My "Bud" is retired L.A. County Sherriff...he said these new CHiPs are dumb and they dont know where the numbers are on Frames etc...
 
Hello everyone,

Have any of you had any issues with California VIN Verification? I have had my car down at the CHP office on 2 separate occasions for a total of 3 hours and they have yet to be able to sign-off that the vehicle is legit. I bought the vehicle when I lived in AZ from a family friend of 25 years. He was the second owner and owned the vehicle for 22 of those years. The CHP folks, very friendly, are having a difficult time matching some of the numbers together. The car has had the engine swapped out, but they tell me that that is not an issue.

Just curious if anyone else has experienced this or if anyone is aware of a website that will help with providing information on the vehicle.

Regards,
BDubz

You might have a better result just going to the local DMV Office. When I registered my '66 Ply Sat this past summer, all they did was write it down and then issued me plates. It doesn't have the original drive train and the car came out of NV but still I had no issues with registering it and getting a title issued here in the state of CA. I had the NV title so maybe that made it simpler. Do you have the previous title? If not then I would venture to say that is your problem...cr8crshr/Tuck
 
You might have a better result just going to the local DMV Office. When I registered my '66 Ply Sat this past summer, all they did was write it down and then issued me plates. It doesn't have the original drive train and the car came out of NV but still I had no issues with registering it and getting a title issued here in the state of CA. I had the NV title so maybe that made it simpler. Do you have the previous title? If not then I would venture to say that is your problem...cr8crshr/Tuck

I do have the previous title. The DMV said that they had to see 2 VIN #'s on the car and could only find one, so they sent me to CHP.

- - - Updated - - -

You didn't say what year or model of car you have.....but if it's a Mopar, check out this link for VIN/fender tag/build sheet de-coding......

http://www.mymopar.com/index.php?pid=17

EDIT: I see you have a 68 Satellite....

Thanks Rick, I will check this out.
 
This might help you to 'help' them authenticate your car:




"Hidden partial VIN numbers were used by law enforcement to track stolen vehicles. They're useful for verifying a car's identity. The rad cradle is stamped with a partial VIN which includes the engine code. Reproduction rad cradles are blank in that area unless stamped by someone after purchase. Partial VINs are also found stamped in the metal lip under the trunk weather strip rubber. You can use these last six digits to match up the engine and transmissions as well. The engine partial VIN is found on the left rear cylinder head near the bell housing flange. The automatic transmission partial VIN stamped above the oil pan rail on the passenger side. Manual transmissions have a machined pad on the passenger side of main case which identifies the model and gear set used. A partial VIN will also be on the case but not necessarily on the same side. Check both sides of the case. The engine partial VIN is stamped on a machined pad above the oil pan rail on the passenger side just rear of the engine mount. You will also find extra engine related codes on a machined pad besides the distributor. Consult a service manual for decoding the letters. This will help you find a fast flyer without having your wings clipped."
It was written about Roadrunners but should apply. Good luck.
 
Again, my Bud is a retired L.A County sherrif...
Now, that does not make him a "Know it all expert"
How ever, his last 7 years he worked for "TARP" which was the L.A County sherrif's "Stolen Car" detective division...
So, he knows wht he is talking about.
He recently said the CHiPs could not find the secondary VIN and the third VIn on a vintage "era" car....

He said the CHiPs have lost a lot of corporate knowledge through recent retirement. (they do not know where to look)
He even has a book for older cars...
It's neat.

So, I personally believe this is your issue...they are DUMMYS...plain and simple.
Because your VINS are there.
Period.
 
Just for information, their aren't any Vin's on the body of that 68'. The dash is it, if you have the data plate(fender tag), that will have the Sequential order number. That set of numbers will be in two places , radiator support, and driver side under the trunk lid along the lip, under the seal. If nothing else, take a factory service manual with you, it will explain what numbers are where. The vin# was on some drivetrains, but since you don't have that anymore, it is irrelevant.
 
Just for information, their aren't any Vin's on the body of that 68'. The dash is it, if you have the data plate(fender tag), that will have the Sequential order number. That set of numbers will be in two places , radiator support, and driver side under the trunk lid along the lip, under the seal. If nothing else, take a factory service manual with you, it will explain what numbers are where. The vin# was on some drivetrains, but since you don't have that anymore, it is irrelevant.

Thank you, I just ordered the Factory Service Manual.
 
Just for information, their aren't any Vin's on the body of that 68'. The dash is it, if you have the data plate(fender tag), that will have the Sequential order number. That set of numbers will be in two places , radiator support, and driver side under the trunk lid along the lip, under the seal. If nothing else, take a factory service manual with you, it will explain what numbers are where. The vin# was on some drivetrains, but since you don't have that anymore, it is irrelevant.

If I remember correctly...this was the issue my bud told me about.
The car was an earlier build AND the CHiPs kept insisting the VIN was on dash and "By the book" it was not on the Dash....
 
VIN's not on the dash?? secondary vin# ?? Third vin#?? wtf? Please elaborate as my knowledge of cars only goes back to 68 lol and I have never seen a secondary vin or a vin not on the dash of any brand. This makes my head hurt
 
Hard to find a CHP Officer over 24 years old. Have no idea what color tags are or much else. They have plenty of dangerous morons to deal with that require most of their attention.
 
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