1960-1962 C1 frame VIN what is titled?

[Philip P.]

I was at a swap meet over the weekend and there was a 1961 complete rolling frame for sale. The VIN tag had been removed from the steering column and the VIN numbers were still on the frame. I was told that the car (orignal body) was getting a new up-to-date frame(Art Morrison) and drive train. I asked about the tiltle and he stated the car was going to be titled using the existing title for the car. I am not sure of the legality of this as with late 60 to 62 I think the only VIN identification is on the frame and the steering column. Well you can imagine all the questions, has anyone installed a new frame either replacement or otherwise and how is the title handled. I walked away figuring it would be a real problem. This is in Washington State.
Interested in any opinions.
Phil

[Bill W.]

Re: 1960-1962 C1 frame VIN what is titled?

There is no law against selling a frame as long as it is not stolen . In Il. if you are going to use the frame on another car you need to have a bill of sale and have the state police check the numbers and inspect it ,then they stamp a set of numbers on it after they record the car it is going to be used on . I don't know if there is a age limit on the inspection .

[Philip P.]

Re: 1960-1962 C1 frame VIN what is titled?

In the case of a 60 to 62 car the frame is the only identification (VIN), the way it was presented to me by the seller he was going to use the original VIN on the new car. My question may only be valid for a 60 to 62 car as others have a VIN attached to the body.
Thanks
Phil

[Bill W.]

Re: 1960-1962 C1 frame VIN what is titled?

61 & 62s have a factory installed vin plate on the steering column .

[Tom D.]

Re: 1960-1962 C1 frame VIN what is titled?

I assume the "new version" of the car will include the original VIN plate (installed somewhere.) I recently learned that 1940 Chevrolets were titled using the motor number, instead of a body or frame number. The state of Michigan finds that to be acceptable, so long as that is also the number on a prior title and.or registration (in this case Iowa).

[Bill W.]

Re: 1960-1962 C1 frame VIN what is titled?

I bought my 54 in Iowa , It was titled by the engine number , only problem the original engine was long gone .I took it to the SEC.of State before I even unloaded it and had the title changed to the vin # .

[Philip P.]

Re: 1960-1962 C1 frame VIN what is titled?

That was my impression, as the VIN tag was removed from the steering column, the VIN stamps were still on the frame. He said he was going to remove them. The body of a 60 to 62 is the only one I am aware of that do not have any actual VIN attached, I beleive some time in early 60 it was moved from the door area to the steering column. I did not think it was legal to remove any of the VIN. I also got the impression this car was not going through a state inspection as it was keeping the original VIN.
Also another "original" car will be gone, but that is another subject.
Phil

[John H.]

Re: 1960-1962 C1 frame VIN what is titled?

That was my impression, as the VIN tag was removed from the steering column, the VIN stamps were still on the frame. He said he was going to remove them. The body of a 60 to 62 is the only one I am aware of that do not have any actual VIN attached, I beleive some time in early 60 it was moved from the door area to the steering column. I did not think it was legal to remove any of the VIN. I also got the impression this car was not going through a state inspection as it was keeping the original VIN.
Also another "original" car will be gone, but that is another subject.
Phil

Phil -

The partial VIN derivative stamped on the frame on a '61-'62 is NOT the primary legal identifier for the car - the primary ID is the VIN plate (on the steering column tube); the VIN stamped on the frame is a secondary ID - it's not the complete VIN for the car.