CA DMV does it again.

Jalopyshoppe

Jalopyshoppe

idiot
I just bought a new to me 71 Land Rover. It has one Vin plate. The staff says they need the VIN in 2 locations. I spent an hour looking for a second Vin. It doesn't exist. The car has a CA title, and CA plates, but they want to do a Vin verification because it was non opped for 10 years.
It's infuriating that I am supposed to know where the VIN is. This is not my job. It has one Vin plate. When I mentioned that it was British and it's likely been replaced due to rust, the guy argued that because it's got a federal emissions tag, it was made in USA...
So, off to Nevada I go. It's sad that it's less hassle to drive 4 hours each way than it is to deal with incompetence.
 
L

LongGoneJohn

Gone
Yup. When the state makes it either 1) a nightmare or 2) unbelievable expensive, people will register their stuff elsewhere and the state will get $0
 
Butch

Butch

poseur
Staff member
I just went to the Los Gatos DMV, with an appointment.

After several tries, I got my CDL renewed. It took like five minutes. Read three lines for the vision test, pay, fingerprint, pic... easy, except...

I had to wait 25 minutes in line to get a number to be called. Apparantly there is this “Real ID” thing that has created a mess. The clerk told me the quiet days at that particular DMV were a thing of the past.

Thank goodness AAA can fulfill most my needs.
Yo, Fish! You should be able to transfer the title of a California Land Rover at AAA. Hmmm... non op thing could still be a thing.
 
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Jalopyshoppe

Jalopyshoppe

idiot
Started at AAA. Paperwork was too complex because previous owner was actually a trust. Despite having the proper release, AAA clerk was overwhelmed. Next was DMV. They took my $$, then required a Vin verification. Loaded truck on trailer to get inspection. Single location of VIN is not enough, so they sent me to CHP. Going to CHP Thursday, but will not let them assign a VIN, as that will destroy any real resale value of this thing. After that, I'm going back to DMV to get my fees refunded and taking the truck to NV, where the single VIN is adequate and it will cost me $200 less.
I wonder why people have dual addresses?
 
FLH03RIDER

FLH03RIDER

Recedite, plebes!
Jalopyshoppe said:
I just bought a new to me 71 Land Rover. It has one Vin plate. The staff says they need the VIN in 2 locations. I spent an hour looking for a second Vin. It doesn't exist. The car has a CA title, and CA plates, but they want to do a Vin verification because it was non opped for 10 years.
It's infuriating that I am supposed to know where the VIN is. This is not my job. It has one Vin plate. When I mentioned that it was British and it's likely been replaced due to rust, the guy argued that because it's got a federal emissions tag, it was made in USA...
So, off to Nevada I go. It's sad that it's less hassle to drive 4 hours each way than it is to deal with incompetence.
Click to expand...

Hope you haven't headed off to Nevada yet...

You didn't say what model you got.

Pre 1979 models were classed as having a chassis number and had the plate fixed to the bulkhead inside the cab above the gearbox cover.
Also, look on the right front outside frame rail, just above where the spring mounting plates are welded. Might have to wire brush it, if the rail has been replaced it may not have been re-stamped.

For a definitive answer give Mike Green at call at: (925) 606-8301
http://www.westcoastbritish.com/landrover_wcbmain.htm

He's quite the eclectic character, old time AFM racer, Ducati and Triumph's, and rides dirt. I've gone on numerous 4x4 trips with him out in Nevada. He takes his D90 or his restored Blue 109. Classic trip a number of years back, dead of winter, up in the Stillwater range, 10PM at night, snowing, trying to make it over Steam Shovel trail heading west out of Dixie Valley. Made it to about 500 feet from the top of the pass, had to back down what seemed like forever to get turned around. Finally got back to Lovelock about 2AM.

Hope that helps,
Bruce
 
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Jalopyshoppe

Jalopyshoppe

idiot
This is a Series 2a, 88".
I saw instructions talking about the VIN on the frame, but it's not there. The possibility exists that the frame horn and perch have been replaced, there is welded plates on the frame over the axle. If that's the case, I'll get the new part stamped. Not interested in a CHP assigned VIN.

I appreciate the info, I'll call him tomorrow. This seems like the kind of car where a lot of networking is needed to keep it alive.
 
Mike95060

Mike95060

Work In Progress
Mind if I ask what is so bad about a CHP VIN? How does it hurt the resale? Is this a grey market truck?
 
Jalopyshoppe

Jalopyshoppe

idiot
Numbers never matched from the factory. The Brits can't be bothered.

The CHP Vin devalues it because it's no longer numbered as an original 71, and it might as well be a gray market POS at that point. I am not a fan of the vehicle, so losing value is a big deal, as I won't own this for long.
 
1962siia

1962siia

Well-known member
I think its more likely that the vin was painted over than the spring perch replaced. Get a grinder with a wire brush and attack the front right spring perch. Good luck!
 
Jalopyshoppe

Jalopyshoppe

idiot
1962siia said:
I think its more likely that the vin was painted over than the spring perch replaced. Get a grinder with a wire brush and attack the front right spring perch. Good luck!
Click to expand...

I wish you were correct. I went all over both front perches, there is no Vin on there. Super frustrating.
 
1962siia

1962siia

Well-known member
I can’t see mine anymore either but I know it’s there because I’ve seen it before when I stripped the paint off the frame and it just got covered over when I repainted. It should be at the top outside of the front right spring bracket, at the top part of the bracket just below where it’s welded on to the frame. The stamping on mine was very shallow. Must have been done on Friday after lunch. :teeth
 
Mike95060

Mike95060

Work In Progress
Jalopyshoppe said:
Numbers never matched from the factory. The Brits can't be bothered.

The CHP Vin devalues it because it's no longer numbered as an original 71, and it might as well be a gray market POS at that point. I am not a fan of the vehicle, so losing value is a big deal, as I won't own this for long.
Click to expand...

OK. Thanks. I'm still not following. If the numbers never matched from the factory, what do you have to lose? You can show the a potential buyer the VIN you can find. I'll admit my ignorance of the vintage land rover market. Is it that fickle?
 
1962siia

1962siia

Well-known member
The issue is that the series Land Rover has a nice vin plate that also has the directions for using the transfer case. It’s kind of a badge type thing that you definitely want to keep.
 
Jalopyshoppe

Jalopyshoppe

idiot
My plate was removed by someone who installed sound deadening. I still have the federal ID plate, but the frame VIN is too hard for the DMV clerk to look at.

If the car gets a CHP replacement VIN, it's no longer a clean title. Despite the reason, a replacement VIN is the equivalent of a salvage title. That kills the value of any vehicle.
 
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