"Historic Documents" ???????

[dmw56]

I was just wondering. I know it can be dangerous but....

I always see people wanting or selling "Historic Documents" for cars, i.e. titles and registrations to be used to retitle a vehicle. How does that work and is it even legal? Doesn't the vin on your vehicle have to match the title or registration. Do you remove your vin and have the new one put on (totally illegal and a federal offense).

Then there is the possibility of having duplicate vin numbers on similar vehicles. One from a "Historic" title and possiby numerous from "Historic" registrations.

I just don't get it???

 

[Tripper]

Then there is the possibility of having duplicate vin numbers on similar vehicles. One from a "Historic" title and possiby numerous from "Historic" registrations.

DMW,
They run that against state records here & probably everywhere I would assume.

BoB

 

[Flipper_1938]

Illegal as hell.

 

[Abomb]

It's probably illegal about everywhere, and probably unnecessary too. I got a nice new KS title for my model A coupe with a bill of sale only. It was titled as a 1930 Ford Model A, too, not a special construction, or street rod title.

The bill of sale didn't need to be notarized, and I didn't need a VIN verification. This may not work in all states, but I'm positive that it works in some. In KS, if the vehicle is pre 1948, all you need is a bill of sale ON THE PROPER STATE FORM.....of course. If it's post 1948, but older than 35 years ( I think that's the cutoff), there will have to be a VIN verification, which costs $10 from the county Sherrif.

My advice is to research your state laws concerning titling antique vehicles. This may entail some "hypothetical" questioning of your county treasurer, and they (the treasures office) may need to do some research and get back to you, as it's not a procedure they probably use very much. You also might want to search your state's DMV or motor vehicle laws on the web. Sometimes the treasures office doesn't really seem to be helpful, remind them that they are elected, and they work for you....but be nice about it.

 

[dmw56]

I've seen these documents go for really stupid money. I just don't understand why people go this route.

I used Broadway Title and for $130 I got all the paper work I needed to get a NM title. Everything legal too.

 

[Boltbreaker]

I've seen these documents go for really stupid money. I just don't understand why people go this route.

I used Broadway Title and for $130 I got all the paper work I needed to get a NM title. Everything legal too.

Did the cab or car have a vin tag on it? Just wondered if the DMV issues a new tag and paperwork or if it goes in as special construction?
I know every state is different.
I assume people get a title or "historical document" and say they put in a new frame and firewall and say the vin tag is lost. I assume they play the russian rulet game and take their chances.
BB

 

[dmw56]

My cab had the vin on the firewall and engine ID # which is identical to the vin on the glove box door. I got it titled as 51 Ford F1 pickup when it was still just a cab and at the same time they gave me all the paper work for the registration. I could have paid the fee then and registered it when it was just a cab.

In NM it's called the MVD!?

 

[Thunder1]

My plan has always been to use Broadway for my f1 too. So you got it before it was road ready? Cool! I'm gonna go ahead and get my paperwork filled out and get the title done now. That'll be one less thing to deal with later.

Good information DMW. Thanks!

Pat

 

[Boltbreaker]

My cab had the vin on the firewall and engine ID # which is identical to the vin on the glove box door. I got it titled as 51 Ford F1 pickup when it was still just a cab and at the same time they gave me all the paper work for the registration. I could have paid the fee then and registered it when it was just a cab.

In NM it's called the MVD!?

I only asked the vin tag question on yours because I have heard people getting a historical document or a scrapped car title and using that at the currency exchange or DMV and getting a new title. They dont even have a VIN tag on their cars Illinois is pretty strict and can be real tough on us.
Hope you know I wasnt trying to be nosey about your vehicle.
By the way they call it the DMV-Department of Motor Vehicles by us. Is it the Motor Vehicle Department by you?

 

[dmw56]

I only asked the vin tag question on yours because I have heard people getting a historical document or a scrapped car title and using that at the currency exchange or DMV and getting a new title. They dont even have a VIN tag on their cars Illinois is pretty strict and can be real tough on us.
Hope you know I wasnt trying to be nosey about your vehicle.
By the way they call it the DMV-Department of Motor Vehicles by us. Is it the Motor Vehicle Department by you?

No problemo! Yeah in every other state I've lived in it's been the DMV. But they also call the Fish and Game Dept the Game and Fish Dept.

 

[Willowbilly3]

I have dealt in some of those documents. I think most came from old junkyards. In some states the titling process is pretty involved, lots of red tape.
Like anyone else selling them, I didn't advocate using the thing to break any laws, most were model A titles and very few of them still have the original block and or frame, plus who is going to pull the body off to see the frame number anyway.
I know lots of guys who don't want to give broadway title their car, which as I understand it is what you have to do. Then they get a title and sell it back. Also I have read that some of those states that are an easy wash on titles are a red flag to other states, can't substantiate that though.

 

[hotrod preacher]

well the arkies have a DMV but we also refer to the "poacher police" as game and fish officers/ game and fish commission
and i never figured out why anyone would pay so much for "historical documents", a guy i know around here who got an official title straight from the DMV for his antique jeep..said it was a fairly easy process and recommended i do the same for my old truck, even though i have an old title from way back..

 

[earthman]

In AZ i did have to take the body off and tow the chassis down to the dmv so they could visually inspect the barely still legible numbers. Then i had to show a bill of sale for the model a. Had to write an affidavit explaining why the original title was no longer available. The dmv then assesed a valuation
for a bonded title.($7500) They determined that in restored condition it would be worth 25,000 to 30,000 bucks! Then i went to an insurance company and paid $125 for a $7500 title bond. Back to the dmv
(5th time) and now it's all mine
The funny part is that it came from Mexico so highly likely that it was actually stolen in the US
sometime in the distant past!