DMV has engine number as VIN

[Monark192]

I was digging through the boxes that came with the MGA trying to sort things out a little and found the VIN plate. I went to match it up with the title and noticed that the (missing) engine number was the VIN. Has been that way since 1984, the last time it was registered. The license plate numbers match but this should further add to the confusion when I finally get it on the road and need to get it registered.

 

[Steve_S]

I had the same problem with my Y-Type. The DMV couldn't do anything about it and sent me to a CHP inspection station. The guy looked at the numbers and gave me a correction slip. It was all very easy and relaxed. I returned to the DMV with that slip and all was set right on the new title.

 

[Rick_Stevens]

The good news is that the cops usually have a LOT more common sense than the clerks at the DMV. They're "eyes-on" all day long, and don't need a lot of 'splainin' to figure out what's up. Lucky for us....

R.

 

[beaulieu]

Very common to register by VIN number in California ,
I have had many 50s car that were done that way,

I was "told" that this ended in the late 50s,

I have heard of some cars ending up having the firing order on the pink slip as the engine number /bcforum/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/smile.gif

Beaulieu

 

[Monark192]

My only concern is that I don't have any engine. What ever ends up under the hood will not match making it a little harder to explain.

 

[Steve_S]

The number I had on my Y-Type title was an engine number from a TC. If the engine number doesn't need to be on the title (and it doesn't) then there should be no problem with whatever engine number ends up in the car.

Worst case, make a new engine tag for the inspection.

 

[David_DuBois]

"Worst case, make a new engine tag for the inspection." That is what I did when registering a MGZB Magnette some years ago. Once they verified that the number matched the title from Oregon (where I bought the car) I asked the State Patrol inspector to write a memo to the DMV that the VIN number needed to be changed to the proper car number, because "I was going to swap the engine" (which I did several years afterward). I found that taking the shop manual in to the inspection station and showing them the page that explains where all the numbers are help a lot, particularly when I voulenteer to let them copy the page for their books.
Cheers,

 

[Monark192]

Thanks - never thought about making a new engine tag but I like it.

 

[RickB]

My MGC has simply the last four digits of the VIN on the title, happens to be the number of the car: 7651
Makes it easy to remember, but it's not really correct.