Title Nightmare
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2015
Posts: 17,571
Likes: 3,460
From: Fresno California
I learned decades ago, never leave the BMV office after a title transfer before you inspect the paper they give you for errors. Especially on the VIN number.
Back then, sometimes the clerk would make a correction after the fact if it was clear that they had made a mistake. Not today!
Back then, sometimes the clerk would make a correction after the fact if it was clear that they had made a mistake. Not today!
Team Owner
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 38,897
Likes: 1,926
From: Washington Michigan
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 8,934
Likes: 657
From: Norwalk ohio
2019 Corvette of the Year Winner
St. Jude Donor '15
Yup - LOTS of midyear Corvettes have a "5" instead of an "S" on the title between the body style code and the six-digit VIN because of a simple clerical error on the part of the DMV clerk when the paperwork was issued. Trying to get that corrected later can be a HUGE hassle.
Team Owner
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 31,497
Likes: 1,313
From: Huntsville AL
And this brings up a very good point.
If you have a car sitting in your garage / barn / warehouse / pasture / whatever that has not been registered in many years, the time to do that is NOW.
Since Jan 1, 2010, ALL VIN related transactions go into the National Motor Vehicle Title Information System (NMVTIS) database, which is owned by the US Department of Justice.
It was this very system that brought the "dual title / ownership" of 1953 Corvette # 029 to light. It was eventually cleared up to the "real" owner's satisfaction, but it was still a mess / hassle.
Get your classic car into the NMVTIS system now, even if you never get to the restoration.
Once the VIN is in the system, it is there to stay, and will potentially save you a lot of hassle in the future.
If you have a car sitting in your garage / barn / warehouse / pasture / whatever that has not been registered in many years, the time to do that is NOW.
Since Jan 1, 2010, ALL VIN related transactions go into the National Motor Vehicle Title Information System (NMVTIS) database, which is owned by the US Department of Justice.
It was this very system that brought the "dual title / ownership" of 1953 Corvette # 029 to light. It was eventually cleared up to the "real" owner's satisfaction, but it was still a mess / hassle.
Get your classic car into the NMVTIS system now, even if you never get to the restoration.
Once the VIN is in the system, it is there to stay, and will potentially save you a lot of hassle in the future.
Last edited by emccomas; Jun 12, 2018 at 01:51 PM.
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 26,118
Likes: 1,874
From: Greenville, Indiana
Indiana. Years ago, the last time I registered the tags was late '70's. The car sat idle until 2001 at which time I decided to roll it out, clean it up and drive it to Bowling Green for some reason.
I go to the BMV and they tell me they can't confirm the car belongs to me because the car hadn't been registered in the last five years.
They told me I had to bring proof of ownership in to get tags. Which I did. I brought the title and everything was okay.
Just another trip to that joint because of them, not me.
I go to the BMV and they tell me they can't confirm the car belongs to me because the car hadn't been registered in the last five years.
They told me I had to bring proof of ownership in to get tags. Which I did. I brought the title and everything was okay.
Just another trip to that joint because of them, not me.
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Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Jan 2018
Posts: 4,762
Likes: 2,385
From: McKinney Texas
Update
So I started all of this in April and now believe I am done. Two weeks ago New York finally cleared their nmvitas entry. It took several calls to them with several redirects each call. I called every two weeks based on what their representative said to call back. In case your wondering, average hold time for them is 45 mins to an 1 hour. Though all were helpful, the last guy finally figured out the problem and told me it would take a couple days to remove.
The way I found out it had been removed was by checking one of the pay vin sites. I contacted the local tax office and had them resubmit my paperwork to Austin. When I would check the vin site it would come back with no record found. I guess when a car is removed from the system it doesn’t default back to the prior state. Anyway I checked the vin again last night and it said record found. Called the tax office today and she checked the vin stating the title was issued to me yesterday and I should receive it next week. Not sure I should celebrate until it’s in my hands but at least it is now in the system.
The way I found out it had been removed was by checking one of the pay vin sites. I contacted the local tax office and had them resubmit my paperwork to Austin. When I would check the vin site it would come back with no record found. I guess when a car is removed from the system it doesn’t default back to the prior state. Anyway I checked the vin again last night and it said record found. Called the tax office today and she checked the vin stating the title was issued to me yesterday and I should receive it next week. Not sure I should celebrate until it’s in my hands but at least it is now in the system.
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Jan 2018
Posts: 4,762
Likes: 2,385
From: McKinney Texas
You can’t image Leif. As far as back to work, I got to get this stupid state fair over with as it is ruining my weekends. She goes to paint the first week of November so I will be hitting the frame then. I hope to be cruising with you and slalomfiend in less than a year from now. Let me know if you are going to the NCRS show in Frisco. Would like to meet you and see your car.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2014
Posts: 8,941
Likes: 5,479
From: Richardson Texas
You can’t image Leif. As far as back to work, I got to get this stupid state fair over with as it is ruining my weekends. She goes to paint the first week of November so I will be hitting the frame then. I hope to be cruising with you and slalomfiend in less than a year from now. Let me know if you are going to the NCRS show in Frisco. Would like to meet you and see your car.
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2018
Posts: 10,739
Likes: 2,195
From: Golden Colorado
Glad to hear it................
congrats. I had a problem with a street rod I bought. It was a 32 Ford but titled as a 33. Typo I assumed. No big deal. WRONG. I took pictures books and statements to DMV. I explained German Shepards and Dachsonds are both dogs but not at all alike. 32 and 33 do not look alike. It all fell on deaf ears. I had to start over a square 1 and do a bond and special construction title High Way Patrol safety inspection on and on and on for almost a year to get it straightened out. Un Freakin Believable. Again glad you got it straight.
Last edited by Vette5311; Oct 4, 2018 at 07:47 PM.
Racer
Joined: Nov 2014
Posts: 317
Likes: 96
From: Alden NY
Race Director
Joined: Jul 2018
Posts: 10,596
Likes: 8,418
From: San Antonio, TX/Mahopac, NY
2026 Restomod of the Year Winner
2024 Corvette of the Year Finalist - Modified
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2023 C7 of the Year Winner - Modified
I’ve reported this before, but worth repeating. When Richard Weaver was active at Titles Unlimited, many titles were “washed” as all you had to do was tell him what vin you wanted to use. I’ll bet there are still owners out there who don’t know someone washed their title using that owners vin and they won’t know until they go to transfer title.
Best of luck Elwood, glad to hear you got it worked out!
Best of luck Elwood, glad to hear you got it worked out!