Colorado Registration for 1967

[Rob V.]

Hi All--

I just ordered the Shipping Data Report for my 1967 Coupe. While completing the required fields for the report, I encountered a problem when I filled in the VIN from the Colorado registration. The program pointed out that I had only listed 12 numbers/characters, and I should have listed 13. I double checked the information on the registration, and I had accurately listed what was on the registration. I then went out into the garage, and checked the car VIN against the registration, and sure enough, the local DMV office had dropped the "1" that followed the "S" in the VIN. I then checked all of my dealer prepared/provided paperwork for the car, and it was correct. So now I will have to go to the DMV office on Monday, and try to get a corrected registration, and hope that the title is not incorrect. The bonus is that the DMV office is staffed with such pleasant people--NOT!! I think it is tremendous that the NCRS Historic Document Service program is so efficient, that it highlighted a problem that was heretofore unknown to me.


Best Wishes to All,

Rob

[Michael J.]

Re: Colorado Registration for 1967

Good luck to you, our MVD in New Mexico is like the Gestapo, and a visit to them is as enjoyable as a root canal. Why do these kind of government agencies have to be staffed by such surly, obnoxious, arrogant people?

[Rob V.]

Re: Colorado Registration for 1967

Michael--

Good questions. Now I will have to take time off from work to try and correct their mistakes with regard to these important documents. I am very glad that the NCRS document services helped me to identify this problem.

Rob

[Michael J.]

Re: Colorado Registration for 1967

The NCRS service is great. I have struggled with my MVD on VIN numbers too. The problem is that they sometimes do not recognize the older shorter VINs, and want them all to be the 17 digit/letter variety of modern cars. I have had three instances where they added 0s to the end to fill out some computer form, and thus messed up the title and the registration to force it into their antiquated systems. It took several visits and phone call/faxes to clear those up. These people are idiots.

[Scott S.]

Re: Colorado Registration for 1967

Gentlemen, I had a similar problem when I registered my 1956 Corvette for a Regional meet in Boston. I had an extra letter in my serial number. I went to the dealership and received a letter which stated the correct sequence for the serial number. My local MOT office corrected the problem.
Scott

[Rob V.]

Re: Colorado Registration for 1967

Hopefully, it is a quick fix as Scott experienced. I will report back. Keeping my fingers crossed.

Rob

[Gary C.]

Re: Colorado Registration for 1967

Michael,

VINs for all years of Corvettes for Historic Documents and on-line registration system are specifically filtered for the proper VIN field length for each year. Rob did a great job with this coding.

Only issues that have been reported is that some States title 1955 Corvettes as VE incorrectly.

On registration some of the VINs are derived from the HP rating and coupe or convertible. If that information is entered incorrectly, then the VINs will be incorrect but will have the correct number of characters.

Gary
....

[John H.]

Re: Colorado Registration for 1967

I fought battles constantly with the Ohio DMV folks when I was heavily into Ferraris in the late 60's-early 70's; before the mandated 17-digit VINs appeared, Ferrari just used sequential numbers - my 1960 250SWB Berlinetta serial number was "3005GT", and my 1968 330GTC serial number was simply "11261". Fortunately, I had the confirming MSO's (in Italian) from the factory, and they eventually caved and issued my Ohio titles and registrations. I think there's a secret set of qualifications for DMV employees that requires them to be ill-informed, inflexible, surly, and at least moderately obese.

[Joe R.]

Re: Colorado Registration for 1967

Hi Rob,

My 66's VIN had the exact same problem on the title when I inherited the car in 2005. I didn't notice the error when I first got it titled in my name. Once I caught the error, the DMV said I had to get the Missouri State Highway Patrol involved. I went to the Highway Patrol office (not in the Corvette) with my POP. They said that they had to see the car, and if the body was not absolutely perfect, they would issue a salvage title! Since the car is not in nice shape, I still have the wrong VIN number on my title and on my matching insurance card! I hope your luck is better than mine!!! I feel your pain!

Joe

[Rob V.]

Re: Colorado Registration for 1967

Joe, John, Gary, Scott and Michael--

I appreciated the kind words, as well as the similar vehicle registration events that you relayed--thanks! I must admit, I dreaded going to the DMV today, however, I felt that I needed to be as proactive as possible, and not let any further time elapse. I purchased the car in April 2014 through a local dealer, and fortunately, I had the temporary registration; the dealer contract; and the finance paperwork from my bank, all which had the VIN correctly listed on the documentation. I provided the documentation to the DMV clerk, and was told that a search of their records (microfiche?) was necessary, and to stand by. The clerk was gone for a short time, and then returned to let me know that I had not been forgotten; and that they had found copies of the documents that I had initially provided when I registered the car in June 2014. The clerk then went away for another brief period, and upon their return stated that a letter would be sent to my lien holder, requesting that they return the paper title to that specific DMV office; and once the DMV office had received the title, they would in turn, send the title to the State (Colorado), to have a corrected title prepared. I was told that this process would likely take six (6) to eight (8) weeks. I then asked if I could get a corrected copy of my vehicle registration, since the car is roadworthy, and I drive it--I was told "no," not until the title has been corrected. I guess there were two positive aspects from my visit to the DMV today--the clerk who assisted me was nice and helpful; and they were able to readily find the corroborating documentation that I needed. I then contacted the financing banks automobile title department, and advised them of the issue; and to expect a letter requesting that they return the incorrect title for correction to the DMV. So, that is the current "gouge" on this issue. Of course, I will report when I have hopefully a positive resolution to this issue. To Joe Raine, I am truly sorry to learn of the response that you received regarding your inquiry on your title issue from your state--their response was the most stupid comment that I have ever heard. Hopefully, you will be able to find a more informed and reasonable individual when you ultimately reengage the DMV for a corrected title. Finally, I hate to beat a dead horse, but the $40.00 I paid for the NCRS Shipping Data Report was the best money I have spent, even if they cannot find any information on my car--for I would never have been aware of a title issue, until I went to transfer the title to another state, or sell the car.


Best Wishes to All,

Rob

[Patrick H.]

Re: Colorado Registration for 1967

Hi Rob,

My 66's VIN had the exact same problem on the title when I inherited the car in 2005. I didn't notice the error when I first got it titled in my name. Once I caught the error, the DMV said I had to get the Missouri State Highway Patrol involved. I went to the Highway Patrol office (not in the Corvette) with my POP. They said that they had to see the car, and if the body was not absolutely perfect, they would issue a salvage title! Since the car is not in nice shape, I still have the wrong VIN number on my title and on my matching insurance card! I hope your luck is better than mine!!! I feel your pain!

Joe

If you personally know a state policeman often they can do the inspection for you and avoid some of these issues. So, if there are any who are friend-of-a-friends or know of any state policemen who are "car guys" that's the way out of this. I know of one locally who has helped others to verify VINs without involving those who don't know what they are talking about.

Patrick

[Joe R.]

Re: Colorado Registration for 1967

Hi Patrick,

Yes, I think that is the correct way to proceed. I don't think I was a NCRS member at the time or if I was, I was very new. I know a few police men in the St. Louis chapter. I will contact them when I'm ready to pursue this further.

Joe

[Bill M.]

Re: Colorado Registration for 1967

Good luck! I ran into a rotten female cop when I was around 20. She pulled me over on a Saturday morning. I had just came through Laurel Hill blvd. which was a well used drag strip in the 60's and 70's . I was on my way to work in my 65 and she went through the car like I was a drug mule. She found that the S in the vin # had some how over the years became a 5 on my registration. She said if it was the evening she would impounded my car. I had to go through the local Police dept and motor vehicle's just to get the correction made.

[Donald S.]

Re: Colorado Registration for 1967

She found that the S in the vin # had some how over the years became a 5 on my registration.

That must be a common problem; I had the same issue with my '67 where the "S" was a "5" when I took ownership. Fortunately I had 20 years worth of registrations and could trace the change; brought a tracing and high resolution digital picture to the DMV and they changed it with no questions. I figured I was in for an argument while I was standing in line, but went without a hassle.
Don