I just bought another 1956 Chevrolet. I own a 1956 Bel Air Sedan, this one is a 1956 Chevrolet 210 Del Ray Sedan. I am anticipating a problem with Oregon DMV (what else is new right). I purchased the car and had to wait for the title to be located. I did however receive a bill of sale with the same letters and numbers as my VIN tag. I got the title a week later and noticed a problem. My VIN tag and bill of sale both say VB56L006193 with 'VB"..........., same as my other V-8 56 Bel Air (The V, however it is second letter "C" VC). My title shows TC................ Now I have done some research and think I understand that the "V" designates car as having a factory V-8 engine correct? I also think I understand there was never a "T" as the first letter on the '56's VIN. Am I correct? How can I straighten the title out to read the correct "VC"? DMV's in my area are NOT doing VIN inspections. Another problem is that the car was at Woody's Hot Rod shop for a few years and with every other piece of steel the top was replaced from the pillars up. VIN tag was removed from the old A-Pillar during this time, I do have the original VIN with the "VC" as it is supposed to have. I did not know the VIN Tags are never to be removed. Now I do. I would have thought the HOT Rod Shop would of had this figured out but since they are no longer in business I can't ask them now. I understand they were spot welded to the a-pillar from the factory. Can I just spot weld it back on new a-pillar now? Sound worse than it is? Hope so. Car has ZERO rust and $41,000 in receipts, will be extra nice when completed. BUT I want the Title corrected before I spend any more on the car. Any help? Any irrefutable proof out there that a "T" was never used in the '56 VIN? That it was either a "V" or this spot was left blank? Again, maybe, hopefully, I am seeing problems where there may not be? Any help is appreciated. Thanks in advance.
VIN and Title question.
Dan Brown
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I just bought another 1956 Chevrolet. I own a 1956 Bel Air Sedan, this one is a 1956 Chevrolet 210 Del Ray Sedan. I am anticipating a problem with Oregon DMV (what else is new right). I purchased the car and had to wait for the title to be located. I did however receive a bill of sale with the same letters and numbers as my VIN tag. I got the title a week later and noticed a problem. My VIN tag and bill of sale both say VB56L006193 with 'VB"..........., same as my other V-8 56 Bel Air (The V, however it is second letter "C" VC). My title shows TC................ Now I have done some research and think I understand that the "V" designates car as having a factory V-8 engine correct? I also think I understand there was never a "T" as the first letter on the '56's VIN. Am I correct? How can I straighten the title out to read the correct "VC"? DMV's in my area are NOT doing VIN inspections. Another problem is that the car was at Woody's Hot Rod shop for a few years and with every other piece of steel the top was replaced from the pillars up. VIN tag was removed from the old A-Pillar during this time, I do have the original VIN with the "VC" as it is supposed to have. I did not know the VIN Tags are never to be removed. Now I do. I would have thought the HOT Rod Shop would of had this figured out but since they are no longer in business I can't ask them now. I understand they were spot welded to the a-pillar from the factory. Can I just spot weld it back on new a-pillar now? Sound worse than it is? Hope so. Car has ZERO rust and $41,000 in receipts, will be extra nice when completed. BUT I want the Title corrected before I spend any more on the car. Any help? Any irrefutable proof out there that a "T" was never used in the '56 VIN? That it was either a "V" or this spot was left blank? Again, maybe, hopefully, I am seeing problems where there may not be? Any help is appreciated. Thanks in advance.
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Yeah, pretty much. The frame number (top of frame under driver's seat) is your best bet.
Here in North Carolina, DMV inspectors will check out the story and the various VINs in question. If there's a record of it being stolen, you have real problems. If not, you can get a bond and after 1 year, they'll issue the title.
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1,892 Posts
I think he didn't have the title at purchase and now he has it and there is a typo on the title . I believe the receipt and VIN plate match . In NY I had to take a tracing of the vin plate a sign an affidavit that it was true . My car was mine though and had been off the road for 20 yrs and DMV records did not go back that far . I would start with the tracing and get proof of how the vin #s were given . There are try five books that describe this
good luck
Robbie OD
good luck
Robbie OD
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68,219 Posts
the T was probably typo error. vin tags are taken off by some for various reasons. (paint, body work etc.). some just glue them back on, but spot weld should (maybe even jb weld is an option)work too . very smart to get this all straighten out before more money is spent.
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8,362 Posts
In Oregon every car that comes into Oregon from out of state has to be inspected. So if the title you have is from another state it will have to have a VIN inspection done. I personally have never had an issue doing a VIN inspection here in Oregon, even when there was a minor discrepancy as your VIN and title have. But I've also never invested a single dollar into a project without first getting my title transferred to my name first!
I'd get the VIN tag put back on the post as it should be, and then simply take the car, title, and bill of sale all to whatever DMV is doing inspections. Maybe Hillsboro, Beaverton, or Newberg? All larger than your local DMV, but will still require an appointment that's probably going to be 3-6 months out.
Of course if this isn't from out of state, then you wont even need a DMV inspection, so just reattach the VIN plate and get the title transferred without an inspection.
I'd get the VIN tag put back on the post as it should be, and then simply take the car, title, and bill of sale all to whatever DMV is doing inspections. Maybe Hillsboro, Beaverton, or Newberg? All larger than your local DMV, but will still require an appointment that's probably going to be 3-6 months out.
Of course if this isn't from out of state, then you wont even need a DMV inspection, so just reattach the VIN plate and get the title transferred without an inspection.
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Yes, the leading 'V' means it came with a V8. If it came with a 6 cylinder, the 'V' would not be present.
The 'C' means it is a BelAir. 'B' would mean it's a 210, and 'A' would mean it's a 150.
You may already have an issue, if you said it's a 210, and the VIN says it's a BelAir.
I'd check the frame VIN. My '57's VIN was on the top of the frame near the outer edge under the driver's seat.
I was able to clean off the dirt and grime using a wire wheel on a battery drill, held sideways on top of the frame.
This picture was taken with a flashlight and a mirror, then flipped to be readable using Windows' mspaint.
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The 'C' means it is a BelAir. 'B' would mean it's a 210, and 'A' would mean it's a 150.
You may already have an issue, if you said it's a 210, and the VIN says it's a BelAir.
I'd check the frame VIN. My '57's VIN was on the top of the frame near the outer edge under the driver's seat.
I was able to clean off the dirt and grime using a wire wheel on a battery drill, held sideways on top of the frame.
This picture was taken with a flashlight and a mirror, then flipped to be readable using Windows' mspaint.
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What it will tell though is if the loose VIN tag came with that car (or that frame anyways).
Robbie, thank you, you are correct. I now have the title and you are correct there is a typo on the title. It reads LB56L006193 The VIN reads VB56L006193 as does my bill of sale.
As I said at the time I did not know the VIN could not be removed and replaced when the pillar was replaced along with roof. I admit, it is my fault, no excuse.
Will go to library and see if I can find a book, otherwise I will buy one online. Thank you.
You are correct, my mistake. My VIN says VB56L006193 my bill of sale states the same. I screwed up the VIN in my first post. Thanks for pointing that out.
Location:
North Alabama region, Tennessee River Valley
IF the vin stamped on top of the frame is 56L006193 then you are OK. Any other errors are 'people's mistakes in reading or perhaps in modifying the trim from 210 to BA etc.. which are perfectly legitimate. The partial VIN stamped on the frame is PERFECTLY UNIQUE in identifying the car is the one you own...
Thank you sir. Frame VIN matches.
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