VIN Problem

[nickelplated5s]

1967 with CA plates. Over the years the, what was then, pink slip is lost, misfiled or whatever. Applied for duplicate title and CA said they have no record of the car. Funny as I have old reg paperwork that matches all numbers. Various sites can't give me info on the 6 dig VIN. Id did have a Kardex and know it''s grey market. Problem is the car is in OR. Any advice?

[Tom_in_NH]

Try for a bonded title ?

[porschedude996]

I would go to CHP and ask them to complete a VIN verification on the car. Then take it and your old registration to the DMV office. I would think they could add it to their database. I don’t think they can charge sales tax.

[EC900]

Are you saying you are now a OR resident and the last time your car was registered was in CA?
When the last registration completed? Moved out of state and let the last plate Reg expire?

I think the inquiry outdates when the CA DMV transitioned from paper to computer records.
Older reg might be on microfiche and not included in computer database. This is very common.
Did you inquiry in-person, by telephone or by writing.
FYI - there is an online portal that costs $ for a record search, especially useful of original owners, limited info available and released for non-owners of vehicles.
Theres a lot of new generation clerks at the DMV that either don’t know old files exist, don’t realize someone in the department does, or doesn't want or know how to access old records or even ask or refer someone to your inquiry.

You being the owner of record should be able to get a duplicate title regardless of where the car is parked, albeit w/o a CA address, plates can’t be issued. Getting the right person to understand and capable is the task.

Yes, CHP can run a title search but be advised, not for matters not related to the scope of their investigations. Some of the courtesies offered in the past have made these sort of inquiries difficult if not altogether forbidden due to civil matters, personal information protections usually involving property settlements. You might get an “ok, there’s a title #xxxx on file” but that’s it.

[Joe Bob]

Are you a AAA member?

[nickelplated5s]

The car and I are in OR so the CHP is not an option. Wait time at our DMV was 2-4 hours. Next step is to try and set up an appointment. Second is to resubmit to CA. Perhaps we will get someone who knows more. OR does not have online or in office forms that I need. I guess worst case is to get a salvage title. Car has non matching numbers anyway so I'm okay with that.

Car is insured and we've been driving it. Traffic enforcement around here is little to none anyway. Plan is to get rid of the blue and yellow CA plates. OR farm plates is what I want. It would be funny and, yes, I can legally do it. Yellow and the start with an F.

[nickelplated5s]

I forgot to ask. What's the online portal?

[dannobee]

At times we used to have CHP come out to the dealership and perform a "VIN Verification." But we were a licensed dealer, dunno what an individual would do.

Obviously not much help unless you take a road trip to CA and coordinate a VIN verification with DMV/CHP.

[911obgyn]

OR Dmv will take care of it, they will reg anything.
Just have to wait in line.

[EC900]

Nickelplated: Go to the dmv.ca website. There are plenty of options for online transactions, it will explain what info you can obtain. As stated, this should be no problem since you are the owner of record. I don’t exactly recall but they purge files from digital records after a few years of ninrenewals, but I think they will do a hand search for your old title/reg for a fee, it requires you supply your info to verify your identity to that of the info they have on file. You can also call them, but be sure you get someone with experience in Titling Dept and not a general customer service call taker.

As for re-registering in OR, yes, your local dmv can and should do this based on the old docs you have. Simply a transfer, pay fees get new title.
But, you have a gem and for the sake of keeping copies of old registration and an original title, it always a good thing to preserve this provenance for future stewards - including the original plates and Reg cards.

Driving around w/o proper reg might be ok as any old cars attract attention, traffic enforcement would likely be more interested in the car than a citation. The only problem is to never disclose the fact the plates are invalid to insurance companies unless you’re certain they allow “unregistered” vehicles to be driven on public roads ….like only to car shows or mechanics shop.

[70SATMan]

Originally Posted by nickelplated5s

1967 with CA plates. Over the years the, what was then, pink slip is lost, misfiled or whatever. Applied for duplicate title and CA said they have no record of the car. Funny as I have old reg paperwork that matches all numbers. Various sites can't give me info on the 6 dig VIN. Id did have a Kardex and know it''s grey market. Problem is the car is in OR. Any advice?

This doesn’t make any sense to me. When was the car last legally registered and where?

Where and when did you purchase the car? Cal blue plates are clearly not original to the car. Do you have a bill of sale? I don’t know of a reason why you can’t register the car in OR if you have a bill of sale.

[nickelplated5s]

Originally Posted by 70SATMan

This doesn’t make any sense to me. When was the car last legally registered and where?

Where and when did you purchase the car? Cal blue plates are clearly not original to the car. Do you have a bill of sale? I don’t know of a reason why you can’t register the car in OR if you have a bill of sale.

It's an odd story. I had a 78 CJ 5 that a friend borrowed and I got the 67. For various reasons, not mine, the CJ never came back but I got Title. Must have been +/- 1985. This was in SF Bay Area. I trailered it up here around 2004. Address changes made the renewal miss although I got others. Got involved with German Shorhairs and didn't think about it much. Garaged always but I know they should be driven at least once a week or so.

We live on a large island in the Columbia river. Anyone around here will know it. Other than tourists and bicyclists I have no qualms about driving it here. I'll post pics, it's pretty.

[nickelplated5s]

Tomorrow will be a long time on the phone....

[nickelplated5s]

[HarryD]

I would suggest you go to the DMV in person with all your documents. I know where you are. The Sherwood DMV is aways away but they have always been knowledgeable about these odd ball issues with me. It may be worth the drive.

If it was me, I would make an appointment and drive there. Face-to-face is always better.

[nickelplated5s]

I will be on the phone at 9. Love those calls, spent 2 hours on PPB non emergency line. Tenant eventually got that issue resolved on their own.

[porschedude996]

I guess I don’t get the gist of the problem.

Vehicle is physically where?
What state are you trying to register?
Vehicle last registered in what state?
Does it have the plate that should have been on it when last registered?
Do you have a Bill of Sale?
Has the car been in your name before?


I recently in California (bought Nevada car) I had the local PD come to the house and inspect and validate the VIN. He brought the form and I took it to AAA with Nevada Title.

Since my car was a 17 digit VIN car, with the ZZZ stamped in the floor of the trunk by the smugglers box, I needed to explain the whole thing. I had the books open to the appropriate pages and he in fact read the whole thing.

You’re going to get there.

[nickelplated5s]

Three hours on the phone. OR was nice and an in person call. OR can not do anything due to some State Statute. CA is useless. I'm just going to mail those forms back again. Moral of the story is keep your paperwork. My suspicion is it was removed by a certain someone.

Ironic thing is CA can't figure the fees since they can't find the car....

[nickelplated5s]

Just filled out OR Farm plate paperwork. I file a Schedule F so it's legal. Interesting to see what happens there.