<VV> Find on the way to work/ Titles

[Spencer Shepard]

Don't try to title an old car in North Carolina, even if it is legitimate. 
There was recently a scadal involving a DMV official who was allowing a 
friend to title new "hot rods" as old cars. The problem with that was he was 
selling the new cars for about $50K and the state was taxing them at a very 
low value and hence losing revenue. Now you are assumed to be guilty until 
proved innocent and the car must be inspected by a DMV agent before you can 
process the paperwork which will be scrutinized to the Nth degree. The 
inspection is done on a  "when they get around to it" basis. I'm trying to 
title a 52 crosley that I owned in New York when there was no title. I 
started last fall and may get it done this summer. I'll have to post a bond 
before I can get the title. The bond costs 5% of the value of the car or a 
minimum of $100. The value of the car must be established by 2 independent 
appraisals that I must obtain (and probably pay for). I'm considering 
getting a residence in South Carolina but I'm not sure if that will be any 
better.

BTW, I also have a number of other cars that I may someday get around to 
restoring. That may depend on whether I can title them. If I can get some 
"legitimate" NC titles I could tranfer them with no problem (admittedly 
illegally). What a system!

Spence Shepard


----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Craig Nicol" <nicolcs at aol.com>
To: <virtualvairs at corvair.org>; <paulvair at yahoo.com>
Sent: Wednesday, March 18, 2009 2:37 PM
Subject: Re: <VV> Find on the way to work/ Titles


> Paul wrote:
> In Indiana the state can and does issue new vins to cars sold at auction 
> by
> the state. That is if the car has no vin on it and they don't know where 
> the
> hidden numbers are.
>
> Craig replies:
> The three states I've dealt with, Idaho, WA, and CA all can issue VINs.
> I've had each of these states assign VINs. I don't remember the exact
> triggers, but making two cars out of one was one of them - the state 
> doesn't
> know which VIN to use so they sometimes issue a new "clean" VIN. This is
> getting harder though and you do have to prove ownership of each half
> (receipts/bill of sales).
>
> They will also issue "bonded titles" which keep the existing VIN but the 
> PO
> can claim the vehicle at any time up to three years later. Not good if you
> restore it before you have clear title but this is the simplest approach.
> I'm doing this currently with a Rampside that has been out of the DMV 
> system
> so long its title records were purged.
>
> About the statement "not knowing where the hidden VIN is": I've spent lots
> of time with WA and ID inspectors (I've had 200 cars of my own and another
> 500 through a dealership I owned). The inspectors had a big glossy-cover
> book like you would find on a coffee table. Every make and model has
> explicit descriptions and pictures of proper VIN attachment and hidden VIN
> locations. The fact that it's such a nice publication implies to me that
> every DMV in the country has one. I did find an error once and the 
> inspector
> had a tough time believing me. The book indicated the VIN on a '63 
> Corvette
> was on the column, not under the glove box. The book was right for a '62 
> but
> wrong on the '63. She eventually believed me but only after speaking with
> her boss at the capitol who confirmed my assertion.  At any rate, don't 
> bet
> on the state "not knowing" the location of the hidden VIN and remember
> changing a vehicle's VIN is a federal felony issue. Now if your retirement
> plans are in question and you're looking for a big house to stay in...
> (GGGG)
>
> Craig Nicol
>
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