Guest glredmanii Posted April 23, 2017 Share Posted April 23, 2017 I've located a clean 1971 Chevy C-10 for $3500. The truck looks straight and clean inside. But, not completely restored. The seller does not have a title. It has an antique license plate. Seller said that a bonding company looked it up and it was not stolen. Not sure how they looked it up. The VIN is not on the door or glove box...according to the seller. Any suggestions or precautions that I should explore before buying? The seller says he will let me copy his license etc. How can I tell if it is stolen? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vermontboy Posted April 23, 2017 Share Posted April 23, 2017 What state are you located in and what state is the truck located in? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
F&J Posted April 23, 2017 Share Posted April 23, 2017 No matter if you live in a easy State to register, or a very difficult State....you need to find the factory installed VIN plate, or a State Issued VIN tag (if it ever was changed for some reason). I don't recall the exact location of that VIN on a 71 C10. My 66 C20 stainless steel tag is riveted to what I'd call is a door jamb, near the door seal, but up high near the roof/windshield post. Yours should be somewhere in the drivers door jamb area, from between the hinges or look all the way up to the roof area. If that tag is gone and you see two rivet holes, that is the worst situation. (unless it has a State Issued replacement tag elsewhere) Like was asked, which State is it from? A local young guy here bought a 20 year old Dodge pickup from Pennsylvania and brought it here to Connecticut. The Dodge VIN on the cab did not match the PA title. He contacted the PA seller and found out the cab was swapped. He had to get legal notarized documents from that seller, explaining where that "new" cab came from, and why the cab was swapped. At that point CT DMV sent an inspector out to view the truck and documents, and a new CT VIN was riveted to the firewall itself. So, I mention that, in case your VIN was "State Issued" and not in it's original location, and is someplace else on the truck. My point is that different States likely put a State tag in many different locations. If you never find any type of official VIN tag, original or State Issued, I personally would not buy that truck. That does not prove it is stolen, however, you can't prove legal ownership if there is no VIN. . 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matt Harwood Posted April 23, 2017 Share Posted April 23, 2017 No title, no buy. Don't make a mistake of this magnitude, especially not on a very common vehicle. Find another one, there are plenty of them around. This one can't possibly be cheap enough to make up for the headaches you're going to have trying to create a title out of thin air. And if you fail, you will own it for life, because we've already found the only sucker in the world willing to buy it without a title: you. Repeat: no title, no buy. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bobg1951chevy Posted April 23, 2017 Share Posted April 23, 2017 11 hours ago, glredmanii said: I've located a clean 1971 Chevy C-10 for $3500. The truck looks straight and clean inside. But, not completely restored. The seller does not have a title. It has an antique license plate. Seller said that a bonding company looked it up and it was not stolen. Not sure how they looked it up. The VIN is not on the door or glove box...according to the seller. Any suggestions or precautions that I should explore before buying? The seller says he will let me copy his license etc. How can I tell if it is stolen? If you are truly looking for suggestions or precautions, DO NOT CONSIDER BUYING THIS VEHICLE FOR ONE MINUTE. WITH NO TITLE PLUS NO VIN TAG, HOW WOULD YOU EVER PROVE "THAT TRUCK" WAS LEGALLY OWNED BY YOU ? YOU CAN'T. NO TITLE PLUS NO VIN TAG = ONE GIANT PAIN IN THE BUTT. RUN AWAY AND FAST ! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CarNucopia Posted April 23, 2017 Share Posted April 23, 2017 11 hours ago, glredmanii said: It has an antique license plate. If the truck has current registration, the seller should be able to get a duplicate title. If he can't, refer to Matt Harwood's answer. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bobg1951chevy Posted April 24, 2017 Share Posted April 24, 2017 6 hours ago, Buick64C said: If the truck has current registration, the seller should be able to get a duplicate title. If he can't, refer to Matt Harwood's answer. Without a VIN, how would connect any registration to this truck ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CarNucopia Posted April 24, 2017 Share Posted April 24, 2017 31 minutes ago, bobg1951chevy said: Without a VIN, how would connect any registration to this truck ? You can't. I didn't realize the VIN on the door was the only place it exisited. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bobg1951chevy Posted April 24, 2017 Share Posted April 24, 2017 42 minutes ago, Buick64C said: You can't. I didn't realize the VIN on the door was the only place it exisited. Perhaps there is the "hidden serial number ", but that has not been discussed, thus far. There are more trucks for sale out there, the OP should not need to look for trouble, as this truck in question would indicate. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
39BuickEight Posted April 24, 2017 Share Posted April 24, 2017 Just out of pure curiosity I'd ask how it has registered plates with no discernible VIN and no title. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vermontboy Posted April 24, 2017 Share Posted April 24, 2017 Isn't the VIN on a 1971 Chevy truck located on the dashboard and visible through the windshield. If it was there and is not there now someone went to a bit of effort to remove it. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
46 woodie Posted April 24, 2017 Share Posted April 24, 2017 I would simply tell the seller, "produce the title and call me when you get it". I have read and heard about numerous issues regarding lost or no tittle purchases, that always seem to end badly. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JACK M Posted April 24, 2017 Share Posted April 24, 2017 Parts only. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cheezestaak2000 Posted April 24, 2017 Share Posted April 24, 2017 most state police have an anti-theft unit. there is sure to be a vin number stamped on the frame someplace, and those guys will know where it is. if the seller is sure it's not stolen, i'm sure he wouldn't object to the theft unit inspecting it, they can also tell you how to get a title. if it IS stolen, just sit back and watch the fun! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bobg1951chevy Posted April 24, 2017 Share Posted April 24, 2017 If one googles "hidden serial numbers for 1971 Chevy truck", locations are shown on some forums, with pics. That being said, this truck still sounds too sketchy, I would not consider this potential bomb, ready to explode on the unsuspecting buyer. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
capngrog Posted April 24, 2017 Share Posted April 24, 2017 This is what I learned from surfing the 'net as suggested by bobg1951chevy. From an official GM publication, the location of the VIN for a 1971Chevrolet C10 is described as thus: "Location: On plate attached to the rear face of left-hand door hinge pillar and on right side of cowl under hood." According to other sources, the location of the VIN for a 1970 Chevrolet C10 is on the driver's side door jamb, just beneath the striker plate. Another VIN (apparently metal tape) is on the back of the glove box door. I guess that either the VIN location was changed for the 1971 model year or the internet information is wrong. The VIN numbers on the TOP of the frame rail, (one on driver's side beneath the cab, the other in the engine bay driver's side opposite P.S. pump pulley) apparently are only partial numbers which furnish only the model year, assembly plant and assembly sequence. Oh, by the way, where is the Original Poster, glredmanii on all of this? Cheers, Grog Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bobg1951chevy Posted April 24, 2017 Share Posted April 24, 2017 23 minutes ago, capngrog said: This is what I learned from surfing the 'net as suggested by bobg1951chevy. From an official GM publication, the location of the VIN for a 1971Chevrolet C10 is described as thus: "Location: On plate attached to the rear face of left-hand door hinge pillar and on right side of cowl under hood." According to other sources, the location of the VIN for a 1970 Chevrolet C10 is on the driver's side door jamb, just beneath the striker plate. Another VIN (apparently metal tape) is on the back of the glove box door. I guess that either the VIN location was changed for the 1971 model year or the internet information is wrong. The VIN numbers on the TOP of the frame rail, (one on driver's side beneath the cab, the other in the engine bay driver's side opposite P.S. pump pulley) apparently are only partial numbers which furnish only the model year, assembly plant and assembly sequence. Oh, by the way, where is the Original Poster, glredmanii on all of this? Cheers, Grog Holy cow, hoping the OP didn't get tossed into the can for possession of stolen property. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bobg1951chevy Posted April 24, 2017 Share Posted April 24, 2017 (edited) 4 hours ago, cheezestaak2000 said: most state police have an anti-theft unit. there is sure to be a vin number stamped on the frame someplace, and those guys will know where it is. if the seller is sure it's not stolen, i'm sure he wouldn't object to the theft unit inspecting it, they can also tell you how to get a title. if it IS stolen, just sit back and watch the fun! Yes, the State Police have info on VIN number locations, etc The problem I have personally encountered here in NC is the fact that the State Police information is valid, BUT the applicable years for their valid information is erroneous. Here in NC, the NICB is used for the State Patrol reference. NICB = National Insurance Crime Bureau. https://www.nicb.org/ Edited April 24, 2017 by bobg1951chevy add link. (see edit history) 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
60FlatTop Posted April 25, 2017 Share Posted April 25, 2017 Since the internet came into being I established that I can take a risk and lose up to $3,000 a year without affecting the groceries or the family. I may have lost a couple of hundred bucks since I made that conscious decision, but it is a component when I spend hobby money. With that level of willingness to risk in mind, buy the truck, drive it, and try not to put any money into it. If you get caught with a stolen truck, look dumb and tell the cops what the seller told you. I even practice that look in the bathroom mirror some mornings in case I get caught up with for something I forgot about. Matt is right, but if you really want it don't let common sense stand in your way. You are thinking about buying a 45 year old truck. If two cops stop you for a stolen truck they will walk back to their car and one will had the other a $5 bill and the second will say "See, I knew he wasn't a criminal." Writing about it online for the world to see is not something I would do, print this page out in case the cops don't have a sense of humor and you need to prove your innocence in court. Bernie Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest SaddleRider Posted April 25, 2017 Share Posted April 25, 2017 C'mon guys - lighten up - the guy is having fun. Fellow CLAIMS he is thinking of buying a motor vehicle...... in any western-world country, where the seller has no title, no registration documents AND the VIN info. has been removed. Wants advice....... Sure. Great entertainment. Yes, I agree that modern American education is letting the younger generation down....but THAT much ? Sorry..not buying it. Double HA HA for this entire thread! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
capngrog Posted April 25, 2017 Share Posted April 25, 2017 43 minutes ago, SaddleRider said: C'mon guys - lighten up - the guy is having fun. Fellow CLAIMS he is thinking of buying a motor vehicle...... in any western-world country, where the seller has no title, no registration documents AND the VIN info. has been removed. Wants advice....... Sure. Great entertainment. Yes, I agree that modern American education is letting the younger generation down....but THAT much ? Sorry..not buying it. Double HA HA for this entire thread! TROLL. Cheers, Grog Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
trishabig Posted April 26, 2017 Share Posted April 26, 2017 Glredmanii Put on your Niki High Tops and run real fast. No Title no money. There is an old saying " A Fool and his Money is soon Parted" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ragtop4two Posted April 26, 2017 Share Posted April 26, 2017 Something smelled fishy about this topic to me from the beginning. It's almost like a young kid asking if he/she should try heroine for the first time. I did a Google search of the OP's name and now there's an even more fishy odor. I apologize if I'm wrong but something doesn't seem legit to me. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JACK M Posted April 26, 2017 Share Posted April 26, 2017 That's some good sleuthing. I don't really know what freelancer, crowdsourcing is. But I am sure it is a waste of my time as I don't like crowds. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ragtop4two Posted April 26, 2017 Share Posted April 26, 2017 I started a family Facebook group a few years ago where members had to be descendants of my grandparents. There were a couple girls wanting to join, nobody I knew and too attractive to be my relations. Apperantly they are fake profiles and why they want to join my group was unknown to me. I wouldn't be surprised if there are fake profiles in this group as well as many others online. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
F&J Posted April 26, 2017 Share Posted April 26, 2017 7 hours ago, ragtop4two said: I did a Google search of the OP's name and now there's an even more fishy odor. I apologize if I'm wrong but something doesn't seem legit to me. Not arguing, but I don't see anything in your list that makes flags go up. All I make from it is: The guy was asking opinions about a fishfinder for a specific type of canoe. And seems to want an old pickup. The first item is that he is some sort of freelancer listed on a site, for looking for that type of work??? None of that, by itself, or all three, makes me concerned. I can't see how he is scammer or web troll he needs a cool old truck to haul his canoe 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ragtop4two Posted April 26, 2017 Share Posted April 26, 2017 F&J, you may be right but anyone who posts something here usually would have responded by now. If he was to call me out for accusing him to be fake then we'll be sure he's for real otherwise I'd still be leery on that one. I have friends on Facebook that keep falling for what's called ''farming scams'', when they get hacked people on their friends list have hacking attempts on them. Someone from Asia tried to hack my Facebook account last month because of someone on my friends list. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
F&J Posted April 27, 2017 Share Posted April 27, 2017 31 minutes ago, ragtop4two said: F&J, you may be right but anyone who posts something here usually would have responded by now. If he was to call me out for accusing him to be fake then we'll be sure he's for real otherwise I'd still be leery on that one. Here is a possible reason he has not been back...... My young adult Son once gave me information on why people these days can disappear so quickly... I was telling him about the rare few times I have put up a For Sale item on Craigslist, then get a few instant very super interested replies, and "poof" they are gone? My Son says that his generation, who do buy/sell on CL and even Facebook (not Ebay), claim that people get bored, then look at stuff for sale, spot something "kinda" interesting and reply that instant. He says these people "completely forget what you had 1/2 hour later", as they found more things to reply to later on. That makes sense to me now. Which maybe explains why this person never came back here? He knew there was an title/paper/VIN issue, then joined here to ask, and quickly got more than enough reason to forget about buying that Chevy. Yes, maybe 50%+ of "our older generation" would have come back to say: "thanks guys, I'm going to pass on it"....but things have changed in this "impersonal-at-times, internet world". Think about some younger guy who never followed the vintage truck market, or never knew about our hobby. He finds that truck which probably seems "antique" to him, so it makes some sense to me, that he found this Forum by web-searching "antique car or truck forums". He probably figured (correctly), that an Antique Car site would have the legal stuff info, more so than joining a Chevy Truck Site which is mostly about the trucks and parts, etc. Trust me when I say I am over concerned about some things these days, but I see not one reason why his asking here about that precise info, is suspect at all. If he asked a string of questions that sounded like he was trying to find out if there were hidden secret numbers somewhere, and "do the DMV or Police ever look for those?"...then I'd feel he might be switching VIN tags or something. I still think he is a just a non-bad guy...with a canoe, likes to go fishing,.... and may be still looking for a truck. . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mike6024 Posted April 27, 2017 Share Posted April 27, 2017 (edited) Freelancer is a website not unlike "Task Rabbit." Ever heard of that one? Going very off topic here, but you can either get someone off of those websites to either do some work for you, or you can offer yourself up as available to do jobs of certain types. Apparently freelancer is for computer people. Task Rabbit is handyman, delivery, housekeeping, yardwork. Hire Freelancers & Find Freelance Jobs Online - Freelancer Hire freelance programmers, web developers, designers, writers, data entry & more at a fraction of the cost on the World's Largest Outsourcing Marketplace. TaskRabbit connects you to safe and reliable help in your neighborhood Your trusted and local handyman. Furniture assembly, TV mounting, moving help, and much more. Our Taskers can tackle all your home projects. Edited April 27, 2017 by mike6024 (see edit history) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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