this sucks so freakin bad. i had bought a chevelle with a bill of sale couldnt find the vin in the window. this car has sat since 1982 and the title was lost. so i started to flip out. i ended up finding the vin plate the dash was just covering it up so i took the dash board off and went to wire away some of the rust and dirt so i can read it. the damn thing crumpled up like dirt.

well since i dont think what i said at that time is approprite here. ill skip it

this is the only place on this car that has rust except minor surface rust. this car i can even find a door ding in and it still wears its original paint the other main flaw was back in 82 the cut the rear frame out and back halfed the car. but didnt finish.

so here i am in ca with bill of sale. no titlt and no vin number on car or bill of sale. i know this car isnt or has ever been stolen and the vin would still be there if it wasnt for me not thinking things thru

so what do i do?

Hidden VIN? Then get a repo VIN tag made with the VIN from the hidden VIN number so it's legit. Rivit it on and move on with life like nothing happened.

i thought about that but have no id of a place that does that. trim tags dont do it. and with the special rivet do i take it down to chp to have it installed

Mike,

First, let me see if I have this correct...

1. You purchased a Chevelle but couldn't find the VIN.
2. You have a Bill of Sale with no VIN listed on it.
3. You found the VIN, but destroyed it while trying to clean it.

Right? No offense, but WHY did you buy this car???? And how do you know it's NOT stolen???

1. No VIN on the Bill of Sale. The DMV won't accept this. Bill of Sales MUST have the VIN listed on it or they won't license the car.
2. Destroyed VIN on dash. Not really a big deal if you can find the hidden VIN, but now you're going to have to take the car down to the local police department for an inspection. Unless the car is licensed in a state (ANY state), you can't drive the car. It's a catch-22. No license, can't drive the car to the inspection. No inspection, can't get it licensed!!

You're going to have to see if you can find ANY documentation for that car that you can use to prove it's what it is, be it an old registration slip, an old license plate with the state number still on it, etc... Where did you purchase the car? If it was here in California, you'll have to have the person you purchased the car from apply for a duplicate ("Lost") Pink Slip. If he never had it in his/her name, you're in for a fight.

And DO NOT attach anything without first checking with the DMV. I don't know of anyone making repop VIN tags since it's against the law, but don't buy another Chevelle VIN and attach it.

Either way, it looks like you'll be spending a LOT of time at your local DMV. Bring a lunch...

Ed

If you go the legit route, which you really should......the state will issue you a VIN for the car once all of the legalities are straightened out. But it won't be the original VIN number. In Texas, it's more like a serial number on a sticker they stick on the inside of the door jamb, then they issue you a title with that new number on it.

Did you happen to write down the VIN number before you destroyed it? If so, have the DMV or local police run the number to see if it comes up as a stolen car.

sorry to butt in, but is there a vin stamp under the upper cowl like on on the f-body's?

Just my two cents here, find the hidden VIN, write it down on the original bill of sale. If you have to take the car to DMV for inspection of the VIN, if it's easy to see than drive it or trailer it. Let's not be such goodie two shoes here. If you can find the hidden VIN then what's so wrong with writing it on the bill of sale. Take it to DMV and tell them that the title is lost and see what they say.

The CA DMV can issue you a title and a new (state) vin and you are good to go...

the guy i bought it from was as old as dirt plus the vin was there (not removed)and the car had a crap load of dirt on it so i know it didnt move forever. i won it on ebay drove all the way to tucson arizona to buy it the body was so clean and i was butt tired from driving 9 hours to get there after working a full day i was like a kid in a candy store didnt even think about it tell i was going thru paperwork a few days ago and i saw it i went to wipe the vin cuase it just looked like a bunch of gunk all over it. (it was the vin itsself) i dought anyone would ? it as there are still little pieces attached with the rivets. id be okay with the replace sticker vin but i just know im in for it on getting this thing done. the previous owner said he would coperate when i emailed him. so is the hidden vin a full vin or just a partial and do i need to remove the heater box to get it and where is the ones on top of the cowl? is it under the weatherstripping or on the inside shelf where the wiper motor is?

i think i read somewhere a car with a damaged or altered vin will be destroyed unless a judge says diffrent. i dont know if i read that correctly. but it would be a huge waste...

How To Register A Nonresident Vehicle

The following information explains what you need to obtain California registration on a vehicle previously registered in another state or country.

What is a nonresident vehicle?

A nonresident vehicle is one that was last registered outside the state of California (in another state, country, province, territory, etc.). Anyone who brings a vehicle into California or purchases a nonresident vehicle while in California should be aware of the registration requirements.

Registering Your Vehicle

The following is required to register a nonresident vehicle:

An Application for Title or Registration (REG 343) signed by all registered owners, showing the name and address of the lienholder (legal owner), if any.
Last issued out-of-state title, unless held by the lienholder/legal owner.
Last issued registration certificate, if the applicant is the same as the registered owner shown on the out-of-state title and the vehicle entered California with valid out-of-state registration, or if the title has been lost.
A Bill of Sale, Vehicle/ Vessel Transfer and Reassignment Form (REG 262), if you purchased the vehicle from someone other than the registered owner shown on the title.
Odometer disclosure statement on the REG 262, signed by the seller and buyer, if the vehicle is less than ten model years old.
A vehicle verification. The vehicle must be inspected by an authorized DMV employee, law enforcement officer, or a licensed vehicle verifier employed by a registration service or dealership. These inspections require no additional fee and are most easily obtained by bringing the vehicle to the nearest DMV.

Smog Certification, if applicable.
Surrender the valid out-of-state license plates if they do not have to be returned to the home state.
Weight Certificate, if a commercial vehicle. The weight certificate issued by a California certified public weighmaster is required for most trucks and pickups. You may obtain this certificate from many moving and storage companies for a nominal fee. A weight certificate is not required for:
Commercial vehicles with empty or unladen weight of 6,000 pounds or less where the weight is marked as unladen or empty on the out-of-state title or registration.
Trailers.

Appropriate fees and any use tax due.
Forms you will need:

Application for Title or Registration (REG 343).
Vehicle /Vessel Transfer and Reassignment Form (REG 262). To obtain a form by mail, call DMV's automated phone service 24 hours a day, 7 days a week at 1-800-777-0133. To speak to an operator call between the hours of 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. Monday - Friday, Pacific Time.
Change of Ownership

If there is a change of ownership, the title must be signed by the seller(s) and the lienholder, if any. The vehicle's odometer reading must also be disclosed by the seller and acknowledged by the buyer. If the only change is the removal of the lienholder, a release of interest on the appropriate line on the title, or Lien Satisfied (REG 166) from the lienholder is required. Odometer disclosure is not required on changes of lienholder only.

Requesting a Duplicate Out-of-State Title

If the title is not available because it has been lost, stolen, or destroyed, you should submit an application for California registration while awaiting a duplicate title from your home state DMV(out-of-state DMV Addresses are available from DMV telephone service centers at 1-800-777-0133).

You will need to submit your last issued out-of-state registration certificate to DMV with your application for registration.

http://www.dmv.ca.gov/pubs/brochures/howto/htvr9.htm

Mike,

One thing you should do is post this on the Chevelle site (http://www.chevelles.com/forums/). They can help you a lot more than we can in finding hidden VIN's.

As for being a "Goody two shoes", I won't honor that with a reply except to say good luck breaking the law. If you get away with it, good for you. But is it worth the possible loss of your car if you get caught?

It's ALWAYS best to consult someone more knowledgable than a Network Engineer, a Systems Specialist and a retired Fireman when dealing with legal matters. If it were me, I'd be up front with the DMV clerk and find out exactly what you need to do to get this car back on the road. It may be as easy as getting a written statement from the prior owner. It may be much more difficult. But start with the DMV and work from there.

EDIT: Jeff just posted a good start for you while I was typing. Take it and run!

Ed

As I understand it, a bill of sale alone, even if it has the VIN on it, is not going to cut it. The California DMV still wants to see the out of state title.

First of all finding the hidden VIN (look on the engine block-Da) and writing it on the bill of sale is not a crime. Call the DMV in the state it was last registered and ask for a new title and stop being such a sissy.

Mike,

Unfortunately, Ross' suggestion of looking on the engine for the VIN may not work since the engine may have been replaced at some point. However, check it and see. You never know.

Ed

you can get the title and brand new vin plate from the DMV! it will be the sam eas the original if you know what it is...........i've done it before with nno problems what so ever. the hardest thing is finding the hidden vin #. they are all over the cars. you just need to know where to look.

Using the VIN on the engine pad may not be the best source for the information you need BUT, if the VIN on the engine and transmission match, then I would be more incline to believe it. True that both could have been replaced from another car at some point but that may be a good place to start. If the VIN on the engine or transmission matches the partial hidden VIN on the car, Id feel better about it all then. JMO Good luck and definately go the TeamChevelle.com site with this one. Kevin

In Ca the vin plate they issue you WILL NOT LOOK LIKE THE ORIGINAL !!! They will make one up, if you get lucky they might use the one off the hidden areas of the car. I have done this before when I lived in Ca. in San Diego. It is acually the CHP that does the check for the hidden vin and then issues and installs the new number. They only do this after you have taken care of all the nessary paper work at the DMV. It might require two trips to the CHP. One for Check of the car and hidden vins, they then sigh paper work, that you take to the DMV to finish registration and titling to the point that numbers are needed, the back to the CHP for vin install. Be ready to wait at the CHP for few hours in some cases. The two I got were a PITA but I got them done. One was on a 79 Chevy Truck it pop rivited to the door jamb, the other on a 67 Camaro the same thing was done. I got lucky on the Camaro and the CHP officer put the tag right where the old one came off from. They by no meens look original. Take advise from people living in your state or that have lived there on this (no offence) but the State of Ca DMV can be a totqal pain. Just do the paper work, ask questions and be honest. The only thing I would do is call or go to a DMV and questions (not DMV by my house, these ladies have memeories like elephants) and ask, what if? or If I buy one like this what happens? etc. You can call them also for questions, or you could 10 years ago. That might have changed. I dought it has gotten any easyier though.

Joe

IF the owner you bought the car from had it registered, just have him apply for a duplicate title in the state he lives in. then have him mail it, go down and register it. IF the vin is unreadable, they will inspect it for the hidden vin and allow you to register it. Seems like that is how it would all work out. . .