Buying a project with no title

[DRJDVM's '69]

Got a lead on a new project but it has no title and VIN tag/plate.

It's a 56 chevy Truck that has no motor, trans and is missing a bunch of stuff.... it's basically a parts car.... I essentially only need the body, so that fine. But I do want to get a title and register it in the future.

My research seems to point towards a VIN being on the frame under the cab below the drive seat. The tags are on the A pillar but its long gone. I'm hoping I can get a VIN off it somewhere

I know there are services that help get a title with bonded titles in CA etc. I also found what is called the Vermont Loophole...... apparently in Vermont its WAY easier to get a new title and you don't have to live there to do it. Once you get a title through Vermont, it's easy to transfer it to CA

The one issue with Vermont loophole is that they want a NADA value to determine the tax.... if you look up NADA for a 56 truck, the low retail is 20K..... well, that's for a running/driving car.... not a POS that is a rusted-out project. So, I have to figure out how to work that part out

So.... any tips to getting a car registered w/o a title? Experiences, do's and don'ts......

[dhutton]

In this part of Texas you have to get a VIN inspection done by the auto theft task farce to title an out of state car. These guys are difficult to deal with. I won’t buy projects from out of state without a good title and VIN tag. It’s just not worth it in my experience. California may be easier…

Don

[dontlifttoshift]

I'm with Don, buy one with a title. The leg work just isn't worth it anymore.

Some states don't have titles for anything over ~25 years old and just use the registration. New York was one of those states and there were people manufacturing registrations and then you would transfer to your state and get a title. Awhile back Illinois caught on to that, there were four different 32 Fords in Illinois with the same VIN number all originating from a New York registration.

After that things got difficult. There is a process, it varies by state and I don't believe for a second that California would be one of the easier ones.