1956 VIN problem - NCRS Discussion Boards

1956 VIN problem

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  • Don B.
    Expired
    • May 11, 2008
    • 132

    1956 VIN problem

    HELP!! I've run into a registration problem with my '56 vette. The VIN on the door hinge post begins with the letter E and the VIN on the title starts with the letter V followed by E. The other numbers and letter are the same. I realize that in 1955, V was used to designate a V8 engined car. However, it looks like this V was dropped in 1956. How the V ended up on the title is anyone's guess, but I'm wondering if it isn't a carry-over from prior registrations dating back to 1956. I'm attempting to register the car (non-op currently) by use of a Vehicle Verification Certificate here in CA. The person who I've asked to do the verification expects the two VINs to be exactly alike. Does anyone have any input regarding this matter?? Any help to complete my registration would be appreciated. I'm looking for written verification that the V on the title is really meaningless in 1956.
    TNX, Don
  • Robert Willis

    #2
    Re: 1956 VIN problem

    My 57 is the same way. The passenger cars started with a V if equiped with a V8 engine so some dealers filled the paper work out as they would have for a tin car. So, it's a dealer error when the car was new. I think I have some paperwork about that. Would you like me to scan it and send it to you ?

    Bob

    willisb@kos.net

    Comment

    • Rob Dame

      #3
      Re: 1956 VIN problem

      I've seen that before. You must have a low owner car if the title still retains the V

      Comment

      • Don B.
        Expired
        • May 11, 2008
        • 132

        #4
        Re: 1956 VIN problem

        Hi Bob,
        Thanks for the input. The news that dealers used the letter V for passenger cars VINs is important. I had thought that this difference was probably due to something like you mentioned in that the car has had a few (#?) owners, but in every case, the change of title was copied exactly as it had been originally issued - an error that really didn't matter at the time, but now has come to bite me. I really don't know anything about the car's history, where it originated, spent time, the owners, accident events, etc. All I know is that the car was probably manufactured in either July or August of 56. I'd really appreciate any written info that you can pass my way since I was informed that the printed material would probably have a more positive effect on the verification process than having the spoken word of an NCRS official. To me, this is a very silly situation, but I'm dealing with a bureaucracy and people who are not informed when it comes to the finer details of early Corvettes - not to mention that they don't care to know either. I would be happy to reimburse you for any reasonable costs involved.
        TNX, Don

        Comment

        • Edward M.
          Extremely Frequent Poster
          • November 1, 1985
          • 1916

          #5
          Re: 1956 VIN problem

          I seem to recall (but my memory really sucks) that Noland Adams had pictures of original documentation in his Volume 1 book that indicated a V in the VIN on a Corvette.

          Check the Volume 1 book and, if it has this documentation, show the authorities when they examine your car. Good luck.

          Comment

          • Don B.
            Expired
            • May 11, 2008
            • 132

            #6
            Re: 1956 VIN problem

            Ed,
            Thanks for the effort. Actually, the pictures are in Book 2 of the five book series on page 119. These two pictures illustrating the use of the letters VE on the VIN plate to designate a 1955 (only) V8 car as opposed to the single letter E for 6 cylinder vehicles. This difference was dropped in 1956 with a reversion to using the letter E alone since all 56 vettes were V8s (I think). The VIN plate on my '56 is correct with the letter E, but the paper title is not as it has the letters VE typed in the VIN slot. An error (oversight?) by someone in the past has come to haunt me and make registration more difficult!! If those CA folks impowered to perform the registration weren't so anal about this difference, there wouldn't be the need to ask for help - a very unfortunate reality since this obscure bit may never be resolved.
            TNX, Don

            Comment

            • Joseph R.
              Frequent User
              • December 1, 1989
              • 94

              #7
              Re: 1956 VIN problem

              Cruisin' News publication regularly prints a California DMV contact who is very familiar with car hobby issues. His name is Don Brown, 916-657-6560. If you call, he will provide his DMV office mailing address at that time. He enabled me to title/register/license my 59 Corvette in 2003, that I bought in 1986 with only a bill of sale. My local DMV office was useless even when I presented all the necessary documents and the relavant copies of the CA Vehicle code. Let me know if I can help, good luck.

              Comment

              • Don B.
                Expired
                • May 11, 2008
                • 132

                #8
                Re: 1956 VIN problem

                GM Joe,
                Thank you for the information regarding Don Brown. I may give him a call. Recently, I contacted the local police department to ask if they would perform a vehicle verification. apparently, they will, so I'll try this avenue first. I don't have a bill of sale and the title has been misplaced or lost during our home remodeling. However, it's still my understanding that the car can be registered and a new title issued in CA.
                TNX, Don

                Comment

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