Fiberglass Conversion....No Vin...uh, oh...!

Dont' believe that is the legal vin. Vin is a metal tag on the firewall. Or sometime stamped in the frame.

But I've found the DMV folks don't know much about the older cars. If you have a number someplace that looks right, the might accept it.

 

that's the only one Ive got......I do all my registrations at the town hall........they still type them in the office and file paper believe it or not not much trouble they dont even look at the vehicle

 

That being the case, I'd give it a try and see if it went. Worst you can do is plead ignorance............

 

Real bad advice in some states. Here in Colorado, the State Patrol inspects vehicles in the situations described, and could impound a vehicle that has an illegal or tampered VIN tag. If you retub a Jeep with a used tub, you better have a VIN tag and title to the replacement tub. You will then own a different vehicle in the eyes of the state. I don't think the frame VIN is even valid for vehicles which have a VIN tag on the body originally. For entirely new tubs, you take your original title and the completed vehicle for an inspection, along with the receipt for the tub and substantial documentation that you did swap the new tub onto the original frame. (They like LOTS of pictures and receipts for work done). They will then issue a new title and VIN tag for the new tub.

 

I was just reading the DMV laws here in Virginia and they have a provision for "Specially Constructed or Kit/Replica Cars." Sounds like a Jeep with either an aftermarket body or frame or both would qualify. You have to present them with as much evidence of ownership as you can, a picture of the vehicle, and/or an affidavit of construction and they will issue you with a VIN and a title.

 

what I said was to take the title in since he has a matching vin on the sticker on the dash. The numbers match. What is missing is the firewall tag.

I would go in and see if they would accept the sticker with the vin as the vin number. If they told me that would not work, I would tell them I was unaware what was on the tub was not valid.

It's splitting hairs but I'd try it. But only if I knew everything was clear in the Jeep's background.



So what happens if you have a title to a jeep that has a vin plate on the firewall and a matching sticker on the dash and the vin tag on the firewall falls off? Lets say the firewall rusts and the rivits holding the tag fall out and the vin plate gets lost.

Perfectally legal. How do you get a replacement vin plate? Or is the jeep now not able to be titled in some states?

 

It ultimately goes off of the frame stamp. There was some talk years ago(when I was into rat rods and had the title for one already) about building a tube frame and there being a state that goes by "what it looks like". The state alludes me; Arizona sounds right off the top of my head?

Basically a new/fabricated frame makes it a "new" vehicle and subject to the emissions and safety laws of when it was registered as "new" ie 2010 cj2a etc.

So your 73 body with the 75 frame is a 75 jeep You need the title that went with the frame stamp. Filing a lost title and providing the bill of sale of the frame along with having someone come out and check the numbers will get you a new vin/title for the 75(in most states).

When buying a frame always get the title for the frame. When selling the tub the title does NOT go with the tub it goes with the frame. A copy of the title can be copied and included with the bill of sale for reference. This can be done with any part that has a vin on it(and should in case there is any issues with registration/ownership later on). This is one of the few times you can legally make a copy of the title. It is merely for reference and writing "COPY FOR REFERENCE OF WINDSHIELD(etc)ONLY" on the title will avoid a lot of hassle for the new owner.

This is why you do not get a new title when you buy a new tub from onix or willys overland etc.

Check with your state before buying items that have vin numbers to see what they require.

 

X2 - in AZ they will issue you a new vin #.