The precieved power of some

[1STMP]

I hobbled into our local DMV yesterday to
renew the registration on one of my vehicles.
While there, I asked for the necessary forms
to get my speciality built vehicle titled and
registered.
I tried to explain to the DMV employee what I
was working on. A homebuilt custom tube
chassis (no serial/vin number) with a Dodge
cab, Plymouth grille/fenders/hood/running
boards, Ford bed, assembled for a custom
build.
The cab has the 7 digit serial number tag in
it's rightful place. Therein started the debate.
She stated that I need a title for the cab since
it has the serial number tag. I bought the cab
via a bill of sale from a salvage yard. It's
original chassis long gone. And heaven
knows where the title is. Please consider
this is concerning a body part that is close
to 80 years old. I've a hunch the title
followed the chassis, and there just may be
a 41 Dodge out there, titled under the same
serial number as the cab I have. I think
what's going on here is a case of applying
present day rules to vehicles with a
mandated 17 digit vin.
The gal at DMV stated that any body or
chassis with a vin number needs the title
to back it up. What happens if they go
separate ways?
Some have suggested a bonded title in
this case, but I don't see how that could
work. There can't be two titles for the same
serial number.

 

[YY1]

Get the cheapest fiberglass cab/body you can find and install it just long enough to get a "home assembled" title?

 

[5.7 hemi]

Take the VIN plate off.

 

[patrick66]

Get a State-assigned VIN, for two reasons. 1) You have a unique VIN# that is not going to be duplicated anywhere else, guaranteed. 2) For the reasons you stated, there might very well be a truck running around, with a valid title, in your state or somewhere else, with the number on your cab.

Most title-required States have/require either a State Highway Patrol officer to look at the vehicle, and then assign a VIN to it; after which you take that paperwork to your licensing authority to issue tag/title to it. Another is to have a county judge/magistrate do essentially the same thing.

Easiest way is to contact your State-level DMV/equivalent and get the real, no-**** instructions to do what you need to do in your State. Remember...50 States, 50 different rules. You need to ask NM what you need to do, not a forum.