Can members see your VIN number historic document services

[John D.]

Re: Can members see your VIN number historic document services

Actually, they can. When cars used keys to open them, the key code was stored in the VIN #. An unscrupulous locksmith could call GM and be given the key cut code to make a key. But I'm sure it never happened.

On my 67 Corvette I got a new key made from the code stamped on the ignition switch, wasn't tied to the VIN at all.

Many GM cars still start with keys and if you lose yours you can go to your local dealer who can look up your key code on the computer and make a key for you.
The burden to prove ownership is very high-title registration ID etc. God help the dealer if a car with a key code lookup record turns up stolen..

[Ronald L.]

Re: Can members see your VIN number historic document services

You guys probably scared Chester off as it was only his 4th post here, but IMHO in a land of big bro drones watching your every move, and thinking its not an issue, I've had my own car offered for sale to me. Obviously by the same sharp crooks that are breaking into banks etc electronically.

[Paul J.]

Re: Can members see your VIN number historic document services

...Many GM cars still start with keys and if you lose yours you can go to your local dealer who can look up your key code on the computer and make a key for you.
The burden to prove ownership is very high-title registration ID etc. God help the dealer if a car with a key code lookup record turns up stolen..

Many full size GM pickups from the 80's and 90's can be opened with the key from another one. I've done this several times, although I have'nt started one.

To steal a C2 (or any other car prior to 1968), it takes two paper clips (or bobby pins) and a key or small screwdriver to cross them and engage the starter. It takes 15 seconds or less to get the car rolling.

[Keith B.]

Re: Can members see your VIN number historic document services

Many full size GM pickups from the 80's and 90's can be opened with the key from another one. I've done this several times, although I have'nt started one.

To steal a C2 (or any other car prior to 1968), it takes two paper clips (or bobby pins) and a key or small screwdriver to cross them and engage the starter. It takes 15 seconds or less to get the car rolling.

or a 3 foot wire with clips on the ends and a screw driver. just as easy

[Richard M.]

Re: Can members see your VIN number historic document services

Key codes are also no the original factory invoice that was sent to the dealer.

Richard Mynatt

[Edward B.]

Re: Can members see your VIN number historic document services

Many full size GM pickups from the 80's and 90's can be opened with the key from another one. I've done this several times, although I have'nt started one. To steal a C2 (or any other car prior to 1968), it takes two paper clips (or bobby pins) and a key or small screwdriver to cross them and engage the starter. It takes 15 seconds or less to get the car rolling.

Back in the '60s I had a ring with about 20 keys that would open/start any GM product - I wish I could find that collection of keys today.

[Tim G.]

Re: Can members see your VIN number historic document services

Both Shelby Mustangs and Cobras live by their VIN. They show their ID numbers on every add and every auction.

[Robert K.]

Re: Can members see your VIN number historic document services

Didn't the Cunningham #1 mess start because of a known VIN? Wasn't there a title issued in Florida based on the VIN and not the possession of the car? Just saying!
If they can steal your ID with a SSN then they can steal ownership of your car with a VIN, or at least try to.

[Jim S.]

Re: Can members see your VIN number historic document services

Didn't the Cunningham #1 mess start because of a known VIN? Wasn't there a title issued in Florida based on the VIN and not the possession of the car? Just saying!
If they can steal your ID with a SSN then they can steal ownership of your car with a VIN, or at least try to.

IMO, it can be advantageous to have your VIN public. There have been numerous 'air' cars 'created' from a number because the real car's number was not in DMV records. The fake car changes hands and then some time down the road, the real car surfaces giving both parties an opportunity to hire an attorney.

[Mark D.]

Re: Can members see your VIN number historic document services

Didn't the Cunningham #1 mess start because of a known VIN? Wasn't there a title issued in Florida based on the VIN and not the possession of the car?

I had a case, with a car I owned, where I attempted to title it in a state where it had previously been owned. The clerk advised me the car was already owned by someone else. Fortunately, with a brief explanation, the clerk accepted my story and issued a title in my name. Had she not done that, the previous owner could lay claim to the vehicle.

I believe that is what has happened with the Cunningham car.

[Kenneth B.]

Re: Can members see your VIN number historic document services

If you had a signed title & bill of sale how can that happen. did the buyer from the guy in your state not turn the title in & had a new title issued? It scares me that people can get titles off the internet for old cars.

[Edward M.]

Re: Can members see your VIN number historic document services

As of January 1, 2010 all 50 states and DC are now required to report all vehicle transactions to the National Motor Vehicle Title Information System (NMVTIS). This is a database owned by the Department of Justice and adminstered / accessible by various companies.

Any vehicle transaction (sale, purchase, total loss, flood damage, etc.) is now reported by the states.

This will prevent any future vehicles from having the same VIN (frame went one way, body and VIN tag went another) as it will only allow a single registration for a given VIN number.

The mandate to report as of 1/1/20101 did NOT require the states to report existing information, just new transactions. Therefore, for vehicles that have not had any VIN related transactions (and a vehicle tag renewal is not a VIN related transaction), no record will necessarily appear.

It was this national reporting system that discovered that 1953 Corvette # 29 "existed in two different states. That issue got resolved, and no need to recount the circumstances here.

THere are still cars out there with the same VIN number being used in two different states. The issue will eventaully resove itself as these vehicles get reported to NMVTIS when VIN related transactions occur.

I don't know the circumstances of the Cunningham car, other than I have been told that a possible theft of the car occurred in the distant past. The car eventually resurfaced and was sold, but then the possible theft came to light. That mess is working it's way through the courts.

[Steven B.]

Re: Can members see your VIN number historic document services

What Ifs: Ed, if there has been no VIN, title, activity for years how would you go about getting a VIN recorded with you as the current owner? Could you just take title to DMV and request it? If the VIN is recorded with you as the owner and you lose your title is this database source enough to get a copy issued? Thanks, Steve

[Edward M.]

Re: Can members see your VIN number historic document services

The rules vary from state to state. Check with your local DMV. If you have a title, and the car has not been registered to operate on the roads for years, you may want to get an updated title. I know that some states delete records (even title records) after a period of time with no activity.

[Terry M.]

Re: Can members see your VIN number historic document services

The rules vary from state to state. Check with your local DMV. If you have a title, and the car has not been registered to operate on the roads for years, you may want to get an updated title. I know that some states delete records (even title records) after a period of time with no activity.

A story just for illustration. This is only one example in one state YMMV.

I have owned a 1967 Chevelle for more or less 30 years. When I first bought it (from the original owner) I transferred the title to me (very important!) and had tags on it for a year or two. I let those tags laps as the car languished in storage. Last Fall, with the "restoration" complete. I went to the Secretary of State ( equivalent to the DMV or BMV) to get antique tags. No problem at all because the title was in my name. I simply had to produce a photo ID. The SoS employees gathered around to look at the title because none of them, including the supervisor, had seen one that old. I suspect it was issued before some of them were born. After much conversation about old cars and life in an earlier time, I walked out the door with my antique tags and registration -- after paying a modest sum for the tags.

I can only imagine the issues I would have had if the title was not already in my name. At no time did they look into any computer, or do anything else to make me think they were checking the authenticity of the title. And the car was home safely in my garage. They didn't care if the title matched the car.

I didn't tell them I have another car I have owned for almost 50 years which has an even earlier title -- also in my name.