Title/Registration Advice

[Jack H.]

I know this may be a controversial topic, but here goes....

Background:

I am currently looking at a midyear that is for sale. The car has a title which shows the car as a "1976 Homebuilt" (or something along these lines). The story is that the car was a former racecar and a title was applied for in 1976 but since the VIN numbers on the frame and body did not match, and presumably due to a lapse in previous title, that the state (MD) refused to honor either VIN in order to register it as a real Corvette. They instead issued a title with the Homebuilt status in the current calendar year of 1976. It is a totally non-original car in every respect, and that part does not bother me for what I am looking for, but the title categorization obviously does bother me.

My Questions:

1) Is the story about a title being refused for non-matching body/chassis VIN's even plausible? I have never heard of such a thing, so I would like to hear whether anyone has any experience along these lines, etc.

2) Is it possible to have the title reissued so the car is registered as a "real" Corvette? I seem to recall seeing ads for titles, etc. in Hemmings and had always wondered what this really was, if it was totally legit, how complicated, etc. I would hope that the process would not be too easy so as to protect consumers from buying "salvaged cars" without their knowledge, but having a midyear Corvette forever titled as a "1976 Homebuilt" doesn't feel quite right either.

Thank you for any input you have on this matter.

[Jerry Clark]

Re: Title/Registration Advice

Hi Jack:

I am not familiar with MD DMV but I am sure somebody there ran the two numbers to see if either came up stolen, when they didn't, they issued a homebuilt title, in Florida it would have been a salvage title, homebuilt are reserved for "Kit" cars. I would have expected them to issue a title based on the body VIN, (being the easiest to access once assembled), but never second guess the DMV.

As for your second question, anything is possible, (even in MD), it depends on how much time / money it is worth to you and if you will recover your investment when you sell. one thing is for sure, you are, or should be, in a position to buy this car at a bargain given what it is and its circumstances. The only time the title will effect you directly is when you sell.

Good luck.

jerry

[Brian M.]

Re: Title/Registration Advice

Jack, I would RUN not walk away from this deal. Just my .02 worth.

[g.r.rogers]

Re: Title/Registration Advice

Jack, as posted run don't walk from the car. This isn't a top flight car, it's sounds more like a spaceshot.Go with your gut feeling.Good Luck,GRR#33570

[Rob Brainard]

Re: Title/Registration Advice

Jack, There must be more to this story. Anyway, if it was an X-racer, then it could have received a new frame because the old one was bent, wrecked, etc. That in itself does not make the car "bad". However, how did the DMV find out about this. Maybe you can tell us that Md. always checks for two VIN #s and the frame and body didn't match or possibly there was no title with this car or frame and that was the only way it could be registered in Md. In my state [Ct.]they don't usually look at frame numbers, only the VIN tag [especially back in 76]. The fact that there is a title should mean that the vehicle is OK from a "legimate" standpoint. In Ct., all cars 1980 and older DO NOT require and ARE NOT issued titles. If I bought this car, I would only need a bill of sale with the VIN Tag # and after state inspection I would and could register it as a 1965 [?] Corvette. Are you sure this year vehicle needs a title in your state? If you can buy this car right and it is what you want, do some more checking and if everything is OK, buy it.

[Chuck G.]

Re: Title/Registration Advice

Hi Jack. I'm from Maryland. I'm guessing that the original VIN tag under the glove box door was gone...maybe the trim tag too. It would be next to impossible to check the frame VIN. Maryland does issue "Homebuilt" and State VIN tags. The state VIN's I've seen usually start with MD for Maryland and then a sequence of numbers, i.e., 1234567. Homebuilt tags that I've seen are USUALLY reserved for kit cars....i.e. Street Rods built from Classic Motors, etc. You'll have a tough road to walk trying to get it retitled with the original VIN, if you have it. Personally, unless the car was dirt cheap, I wouldn't consider it. Chuck

[dale pearman]

Re: Title/Registration Advice

Title it in one of the "less exacting" states. Then transfer title later to Md. Varooom!

[Robert C.]

Re: Title/Registration Advice

1976 Corvettes are usually the cheapest year you can buy anyway. This one must be almost a freebee. I can't see that any effort to restore the car to any degree would be worth it. Maybe you could find a nice normal 76 , and buy that other one for spare parts!


Texas Chapter NCRS

[Kent K.]

Re: Title/Registration Advice

Jack, For what it's worth, when I titled a '54 Corvette here in Florida, the DMV sent a police officer out to my garage to inspect the frame stamped VIN and said there was no reason to see the body VIN tag. I bought the car in several thousand pieces although the frame and body were discernable.

Hope this helps if you decide to title the '76 in another state and transfer back to MD.