VIN Verification

Forum for general car talk, upcoming events, posting photos, etc.
Post Reply
daysineuropa
Active Member
Posts: 150
Joined: Sun Nov 21, 2010 11:35 am
Vehicles Owned: 18 BMW i3S Golf Cart w/scooter engine
12 Porsche Cayman R
01 BMW M Coupe
00 XJ8 Vanden Plas
73 Lotus Europa Twin Cam Special
68 Sunbeam Stiletto
65 Sunbeam Imp Mk 1
67 Sunbeam Imp Mk 2

VIN Verification

Post by daysineuropa »

Had a frustrating day at DMV. Bought a car (yes, another Imp) that was off the system but had copy of original 1965 registration showing VIN number.

Physical VIN plate says chassis number, this caused much consternation to the DMV brain trust. The whole Rootes versus Sunbeam matter was another can of worms. DMV has listed manufacturer as ROOTS(All caps, no”E”) on all the Imps I have bought. Clerk 1 was insisting that manufacturer was Rootes, model was Sunbeam. Giving the GM/Chevrolet/Corvette analogy for Rootes/Sunbeam/Imp was futile.

Outcome from the geniuses was that I needed CHP VIN verification because the SUN65 prefix was missing, This was a plastic plate that is held on same rivet that secures chassis ID plate. It inevitably falls off.

I called CHP - earliest appointment was 8th February. I only want a title to allow car to be exported for restoration.

Is there any higher office at DMV in Sacramento that has any sort of clue? I have lost my previous faith in Santa Paula DMV to be any better than any of the other offices.
User avatar
tannyo
Veteran Member
Posts: 1057
Joined: Wed May 20, 2009 1:58 pm
Vehicles Owned: 1967 MGB GT
Location: North Hollywood, CA
Contact:

Re: VIN Verification

Post by tannyo »

Can you purchase a replacement plastic plate with the SUN65 prefix to put on the car? I know with the MGB you can purchase a ID tag kit.
User avatar
Steve Simmons
Site Admin
Posts: 4106
Joined: Thu Sep 07, 2006 9:45 pm
Vehicles Owned: .
1937 MG SA Saloon
1946 John Deere AN
1949 MG TC
1953 MG TD
1958 MGA Roadster
1959 Morris Minor 1000
1965 MGB
1967 MGB GT (UK-Spec)
1967 Austin Healey 3000 BJ8
1969 MGC GTS
Location: Co-Nay-Ho Valley
Contact:

Re: VIN Verification

Post by Steve Simmons »

I've had VIN verification done at a CHP station before, but the number was there. Just needed to get the correct number on the title. I guess I don't really have anything that would help, but I'm surprised they're making it that difficult.
Stewart
Core Member
Posts: 687
Joined: Tue Aug 07, 2007 4:56 pm
Vehicles Owned: 1966 2cv
1967 mgb gt sc
1975 mgb sc
1973 1800es
1972 Citroen ID21 wagon
Location: Santa Barbara CA

Re: VIN Verification

Post by Stewart »

try AAA as they seem much more reasonable for dmv stuff.
daysineuropa
Active Member
Posts: 150
Joined: Sun Nov 21, 2010 11:35 am
Vehicles Owned: 18 BMW i3S Golf Cart w/scooter engine
12 Porsche Cayman R
01 BMW M Coupe
00 XJ8 Vanden Plas
73 Lotus Europa Twin Cam Special
68 Sunbeam Stiletto
65 Sunbeam Imp Mk 1
67 Sunbeam Imp Mk 2

Re: VIN Verification

Post by daysineuropa »

I started at AAA. All they could do was give me the right paperwork and mark it up to show which details were needed. Reinstating car that has gone off system needs to be done by DMV now.
GBGary
Active Member
Posts: 12
Joined: Tue Aug 16, 2016 10:48 am
Vehicles Owned: 1972 MGB (rhd)
1969 Alfa Romeo 1750 Spider
1972 Rover P6B 3500S (rhd)
1974 Jensen Healy

Sold: 1973 Alfa Romeo 2000 Berlina

Re: VIN Verification

Post by GBGary »

The CHP office on Desoto (or is Canoga?) in Woodland Hills has a great officer, bike and car guy was very helpful to me on my Rover when other offices were (&*^^^%#). I can't think of the officer's name at the moment, but, there is only one doing Vin verification.
User avatar
Steve Simmons
Site Admin
Posts: 4106
Joined: Thu Sep 07, 2006 9:45 pm
Vehicles Owned: .
1937 MG SA Saloon
1946 John Deere AN
1949 MG TC
1953 MG TD
1958 MGA Roadster
1959 Morris Minor 1000
1965 MGB
1967 MGB GT (UK-Spec)
1967 Austin Healey 3000 BJ8
1969 MGC GTS
Location: Co-Nay-Ho Valley
Contact:

Re: VIN Verification

Post by Steve Simmons »

That's the same station I used about 15 years ago. He asked what I needed done, so I went into a long and detailed explanation of why the VIN was wrong and the likely reasons why it happened, etc, etc. The whole time he just stood there and stared at me. When I was done, he asked again what I wanted done. So I told him I wanted this number (pointed to car number tag) on the title instead of the one that was there. He said "ok", wrote it on the slip and handed it back to me. So much easier than I was making it! :hammer:
User avatar
rally_x
Active Member
Posts: 142
Joined: Wed May 27, 2009 10:35 am
Vehicles Owned: 65 Mustang
73 Mini
07 Cooper S
1 1978 VW Rabbit
86 Subaru Rally car
90 Honda CRX
1967 Triumph GT6
Location: Simi Valley
Contact:

Re: VIN Verification

Post by rally_x »

From my experience, calling Sacramento is even worse!
User avatar
Larry Kluss
Veteran Member
Posts: 1087
Joined: Wed Jul 25, 2007 12:28 pm
Vehicles Owned: -
1967 MGB (Works tribute)
1968 E-type Jaguar FHC
1974 Chevy Nova SS (faux)
2000 Ford Ranger XLT
2008 Jaguar XJ L
Location: Conejo Valley

Re: VIN Verification

Post by Larry Kluss »

Mark, there are also private VIN verification services that are easier to work with. My dad used one from the valley about five years ago to correct a 35 year old VIN typo on the title of one of his Corvettes. Of course there's a fee. I might be able to get you a name if you're interested? Or you can look around yourself for someone closer to you.
daysineuropa
Active Member
Posts: 150
Joined: Sun Nov 21, 2010 11:35 am
Vehicles Owned: 18 BMW i3S Golf Cart w/scooter engine
12 Porsche Cayman R
01 BMW M Coupe
00 XJ8 Vanden Plas
73 Lotus Europa Twin Cam Special
68 Sunbeam Stiletto
65 Sunbeam Imp Mk 1
67 Sunbeam Imp Mk 2

Re: VIN Verification

Post by daysineuropa »

Had a good visit to Moorpark CHP station and met Officer Wood who does VIN verification.

Went back to using original chassis ID designation that cars entered States with. DMV accepted that and title should be here within two to four weeks.

Car will be going back to UK for full refurb and prep for BMW Flying Brick K seriespower :))
C98B3318-F77C-4FD0-84AB-6426D5DBD356.jpeg
When it is done it will look like this:
B668E9BC-73BB-444E-83C8-B54CE42C4B26.jpeg
User avatar
Steve Simmons
Site Admin
Posts: 4106
Joined: Thu Sep 07, 2006 9:45 pm
Vehicles Owned: .
1937 MG SA Saloon
1946 John Deere AN
1949 MG TC
1953 MG TD
1958 MGA Roadster
1959 Morris Minor 1000
1965 MGB
1967 MGB GT (UK-Spec)
1967 Austin Healey 3000 BJ8
1969 MGC GTS
Location: Co-Nay-Ho Valley
Contact:

Re: VIN Verification

Post by Steve Simmons »

Glad that's sorted out. All the way to the UK and back? You're devoted!
daysineuropa
Active Member
Posts: 150
Joined: Sun Nov 21, 2010 11:35 am
Vehicles Owned: 18 BMW i3S Golf Cart w/scooter engine
12 Porsche Cayman R
01 BMW M Coupe
00 XJ8 Vanden Plas
73 Lotus Europa Twin Cam Special
68 Sunbeam Stiletto
65 Sunbeam Imp Mk 1
67 Sunbeam Imp Mk 2

Re: VIN Verification

Post by daysineuropa »

Steve wrote: Sat Feb 03, 2018 12:20 pm Glad that's sorted out. All the way to the UK and back? You're devoted!
Purely practicalities Steve. This was always going to be the next one Dave Wellwood was going to do. Rather than start with another non-Imp expert, I figured the labor saving and lack of shipping costs for individual parts would more than cover the car shipping cost.

I have bought a couple of billet aluminum BMW conversion kits. The Imp engine is great but temperamental and expensive to repair. Mike and I are both going to evaluate the K series in SoCal heat and see how it goes.
Attachments
A1375915-9696-472F-8D1C-6804C8396A98.jpeg
daysineuropa
Active Member
Posts: 150
Joined: Sun Nov 21, 2010 11:35 am
Vehicles Owned: 18 BMW i3S Golf Cart w/scooter engine
12 Porsche Cayman R
01 BMW M Coupe
00 XJ8 Vanden Plas
73 Lotus Europa Twin Cam Special
68 Sunbeam Stiletto
65 Sunbeam Imp Mk 1
67 Sunbeam Imp Mk 2

Re: VIN Verification

Post by daysineuropa »

And the title arrived today........
User avatar
VWNate1
Veteran Member
Posts: 1402
Joined: Sat Sep 05, 2009 7:41 am
Vehicles Owned: LBC's

Mercedes Diesels OM 616 & 617

1969 Chevrolet C/10 pickup shop truck
250 I-6 , TH350 slushbox

1959 Nash Metropolitan FH Sports Coupe

1961 Morris Minor W/ 1973 1275 CC engine & gearbox

Ural Solo Motos , old Honda 90 CC Tiddlers
Location: Sunny So. Cal. , land of fruits , nuts & flakes

Re: VIN Verification

Post by VWNate1 »

YAY ! :thumbs: .

I'm always stymied by the way the average DMV Clerk doesn't want to do their job, it's pretty simple : you give them $ and they look at what you've got and go forward .
-Nate
Stewart
Core Member
Posts: 687
Joined: Tue Aug 07, 2007 4:56 pm
Vehicles Owned: 1966 2cv
1967 mgb gt sc
1975 mgb sc
1973 1800es
1972 Citroen ID21 wagon
Location: Santa Barbara CA

Re: VIN Verification

Post by Stewart »

VWNate1 wrote: Fri Feb 23, 2018 8:09 pm YAY ! :thumbs: .

I'm always stymied by the way the average DMV Clerk doesn't want to do their job, it's pretty simple : you give them $ and they look at what you've got and go forward .
yeah god help you if you ask them for anything not everyday normal. Took 3 trips to get the plates for my 67. Each time they would fill a bit of the DMV use only section of the form and send it off Sac. who would then return it to me as incomplete.
User avatar
VWNate1
Veteran Member
Posts: 1402
Joined: Sat Sep 05, 2009 7:41 am
Vehicles Owned: LBC's

Mercedes Diesels OM 616 & 617

1969 Chevrolet C/10 pickup shop truck
250 I-6 , TH350 slushbox

1959 Nash Metropolitan FH Sports Coupe

1961 Morris Minor W/ 1973 1275 CC engine & gearbox

Ural Solo Motos , old Honda 90 CC Tiddlers
Location: Sunny So. Cal. , land of fruits , nuts & flakes

Re: VIN Verification

Post by VWNate1 »

This is why I'm an Auto Club Member ~ many DMV things they can do with 1/4 the time and always less hassle .

I know folks here hate it when I correctly point out they're often welfare to work queens with bad attitudes that no one in Management cares to discipline but it's the fact .

I just finished a 32 career in Civil Service and I had captive customers who I could treat anyway I wanted but I have self respect so I treated them all, even the pissy 'I'm better than you 'cause I'm an LEO and you're not' jerkwads, got all the help I could muster because I was grateful to have a job, unlike most DMV Clerks .
-Nate
Post Reply