I work for DMV in Oregon.
Agreeing with most of the other replies to this thread, we rarely have to see a
car. Only times we look at the vehicle is when it comes in from
out-of-state, or if it has been declared totalled by an insurance company.
Those are the ONLY times we look at a car, and then, it's just to make sure the
VIN on the vehicle matches the title. Of course, other states may
differ.
As far as having a model on the
title, Oregon only does that on vehicles 1981 and newer. 1981 is when the
standardized 17 digit VIN was introduced. Prior to that, manufacturers put
whatever VIN format they wanted. And no, your average DMV employee will
have no idea if a car should have dual headlights, or any other feature.
Quite frankly, most don't give a damn. 98% are not car enthusiasts.
It doesn't matter anyway, as we
title a car based on the frame or chassis (VIN) number, not what the car looks
like. Just today, I had to do a VIN inspection on a car that started life
as a '59 Thunderbird, but now looks more like the Batmobile. As far as
titling goes, as long as the VIN matches the title, nothing else matters.
The new title will read "1959 Ford CP" (coupe).
One other thing: I'm
constantly amazed how people will spend big bucks either buying or fixing (resto
or rod) a car, and not get the title in their name until the car is
finished. Why would you NOT want the title in your name, when you're going
to spend all this money? I have seen people spend $20K +, and then not be
able to get title because their paperwork was messed up, missing, or
whatever. Not a pretty scene. When you buy an old clunker and plan
on spending big bucks on it to fix it, do yourself a favor and get title in your
name BEFORE you spend the bucks fixing it! Or some previous owner just
might thank you very much for fixing up THEIR car !
Mark
mjh
'57 Fury, '57 Savoy, '68 300 rag
in hot dry Oregon
----- Original Message -----
Sent: Thursday, August 19, 2004 4:41
PM
Subject: [FWDLK] Legal Implications of
Changing Years and Models
With so many people modifying their cars, what is the legality
regarding, say, changing a 57 Plymouth to a 58, or changing a Savoy to a
Belvedere or even a Fury ? I'm wondering if new member Chris from Wisconsin
will have trouble when he goes to register his 57 Savoy and the DMV guy
questions why a 57 has dual headlights. Or how many Savoys will be
registered as Belvederes or Furys once all the mods are in place (I'm not
saying that you'd do this, Chris. Just a hypothetical example)
?
Ron, thinking
thoughts...
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