Won't accept VIN # [?}

[gdtractor]

Hi again ..

I am trying to run the vin number on the Chrysler I got of

# 71017014 and it keeps saying incorrect number .. but it is plainly the number on the little metal plate on the inside of the drivers door [side].

Any suggestions for a rooky? [please].

Thanks much

Gary

[Guest imported_BaronvonR]

You could try contacting Chrysler Historical on their web site...they may be able to supply you with a build sheet for your car.

BvR

[gdtractor]

Thanks .. I will go to Google and see if I can find the site.

I appreciate any help ...

I was hoping the vin # on the firewall would work .. but it may be too old a car huh?

Thanks again

Gary

[Guest imported_Bill-W]

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Quote:</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Hi again ..

I am trying to run the vin number on the Chrysler I got of

# 71017014 and it keeps saying incorrect number .. but it is plainly the number on the little metal plate on the inside of the drivers door [side].

Any suggestions for a rooky? [please].

Thanks much

Gary </div></div>

Pre-1960 VINs will not work on any decoder that I know of. The 1959 had ten digits but the model year (M) is the first digit. The 1958 VIN starts with "K', followed by digits for the make, series, assembly plant and then a sequential number that started at 1001.

And before that Chrysler used a sequential number that started in 1924 at 1001. There were breaks between the ending serial number of one year and the first of the next, usually beginning at the next "001".

Thus "71017014" is a number and nothing more. Its individual numbers do not stand for anything.

But, "71017014" falls into the sequence starting at 71005001 and ending at 71050872. This sequence was used for model C60-2, which is the 1953 Chrysler Windsor Deluxe, built at the Jefferson Avenue plant in Detroit.

The only thing was can determine from it, as 71005001 was the first C60-2 off the Jefferson line, is that your car was the 12,014th C60-2 built at Jefferson.

Bill

Vancouver, BC

[gdtractor]

wow! Thanks so much !! How helpful !!

I have a few antique tractors - and the year as well is determined the exact same way ... within a segment of sequencial numbers.

Makes perfect sense.

Do you have any idea what the number on the firewall is? [26 01 18 08 01 53 1 ]

Irrelevant? <img src="http://forums.aaca.org/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

Thanks again ..

Gary

[Guest De Soto Frank]

Sounds like you're dealing with someone under the age of 60 at your local motor vehicle authority...(my blood is boiling already !!!)

Okay: first of all, the VIN system did appear on American cars UNTIL the 1970 model year. PERIOD.

"VIN"-equipped cars ALL have the "VIN NUMBER" on a plate riveted to the dash, under the lower left-hand corner of the windshield. PERIOD.

Pre-1970 American cars & trucks have a "vehicle serial number". PERIOD.

So, that little stainless steel tag riveted to your Newport's door pillar IS the "vehicle serial number", and (hopefully) matches the number on the title that came with the car.

I don't know what exception your particular state makes when registering a vehicle whose serial number gets "kicked-out" by the DMV computer and they try to enter it, but there must be a way.

Find the oldest title/registration clerk that you can, or ask for a supervisor.

I'm really fed-up with government employees that can't (and won't) see beyond their own noses or ask for help.

Please tell us your new car came with a title ?

The tag on the firewall is the "body tag", and contains info about paint and trim, but is not for registration purposes.

Good luck !

Frank McMullen

[gdtractor]

Frank

No it didn't come with a title ..

I got it out of a field by an old barn .. when I picked up the car .. the guy said he never had a title ..

No title ...

Gary

[Guest De Soto Frank]

Gary,

Sorry I went ballistic up above... as you might discern, I've had my share of run-around with motor-vehicle authorities when it come to old vehicles.

Hopefully, your car still has its serial plate intact.

Make sure you can get in touch with the party who sold you the car; you will most likely need to get a "bill of sale" and perhaps an affidavit from him to get a new title for your car.

But out of the "rant" above, please take to heart that your Chrysler has a "vehicle serial number", NOT a "VIN number"... when you get to that point in time that you go to register the vehicle.

Another word of friendly advice: investigate what it will take to get this vehicle titled in your name before you go investing much money in it... it really sucks to have a lot of $$$ tie-up in a vehicle that you "can't get a title for"... not an issue with farm tractors, but can be a big obstacle for anything that required a title/ tags.

Good luck !

[53 Windsor]

I don't what state you live in, but in Florida the motor number is used by the Dept. of Motor Vehicles on pre-1970 vehicles. Virginia also uses the motor number. On a Flathead six Spitfire Chrysler motor the number will be found on the left side of the motor just below the head up front.

Good luck.

[TG57Roadmaster]

For a further discussion of what constitutes a VIN, recognized by state DMV's in the pre-17 digit era, go to this thread from August. It's not the be-all, end-all, but it may clear up some confusion.

I agree that some DMV staffers have water behind their ears, but if you come prepared with all the documentation you can muster, problems can usually be resolved.

http://forums.aaca.org/ubbthreads.php/ubb/showflat/Main/103335/Number/444784#Post444784

Regards,

TG

[Guest rickomo1]

I know it does not really fit here but in oregon i titled a 1950 studebaker commander, the nice lady at the dmv just could not figure it out. so after close inspection and alot of time i had them verify the serial number off the frame. when three of them finally came to a concensus i brought out the paper work to explain the numbers ie, serial and body style and make. then i showed them the serial on the door pillar after they laid under the car to get the same number, just to make a point to them that all drivers are not as stupid as we look. the only time i got my moneys worth at the dmv. haha