>Maybe this is a dumb question, but what if they don't match? What if I
>buy a vehicle that was built from random parts, or build one myself,
>or replace a missing dataplate with another one? (I live in CA, and
>would like to get my first MV in about a couple years, so I'm
>wondering what kind of hassles I might have with my state's DMV).
If you deal with the California Department of Motor Vehicles, you are going
to have a hassle. That said, you can rest easy because the hassle isn't
that bad. You just have to play their game, so relax and do it. The
following is a worst case scenario from personal experience.
If you have no Vin# or like me - too many Vin#'s (Title had #, Body had #,
Frame had #, Engine had # and no two #'s matched) here's what happens. DMV
will take your money and send you to the DMV inspector to verify the Vin#.
After the inspector cannot verify the Vin# (the guy I got couldn't find a
certain anatomical human body part with both hands) you will be referred to
the local California Highway Patrol office for a Vin# assignment. The last
time I went through this the backlog for appointments at CHP was two months.
At the appointment a CHP officer will inspect the vehicle (this is done in
secret without your presence) and attach a small metal tag with the new Vin#
to the vehicle with pop rivets. The officer will give you their paperwork
and then DMV will issue a new title based on the new Vin#.
The hassle is just your time in going to DMV, time waiting for the DMV
inspector, waiting for the CHP appointment, going there and waiting for the
officer, then back to DMV for the new title. You can drive the vehicle all
this time as DMV is very happy to issue you a temporary operating permit for
as long as you need since you have already paid your fees when you first
went to DMV. I used my temporary permit for 6 months while getting this
done (I took my own sweet time with CHP, could have been done in two months).
Bottom line - California Department of Motor Vehicles is a governmental
administrative agency and they operate like all the others - throw money at
them and follow their procedures and you'll eventually get whatever you
want. If you have go to the CHP office, I would use a little common sense
and take off the rocket launcher and remove the 50 caliber from the vehicle.
Bill Cason
Long Beach, CA
"The two most feared words in a shade tree mechanic's life ---- Dealer Item"
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