MasterDave

When I bought this car the seller gave me old registrations from the guy he bought it from. While cleaning the frame I came across an extra set of #'s on the left upper frame member fwd of the firewall. I thought it was strange because the # started with a DRF (my initials). In looking the registration over I spotted in the upper left corner these exact numbers listed as 'vehicle identification'. Too wierd! The correct vin # is on the left upper frame fwd of the left wheel hump and matches the vin tag.....it is S54004545. Any thoughts? Also I could use any advice you have on trying to locate this guy. I've kinda hit a dead end. Oh BTW, I still have the black and yellow Calif. license plate listed on the registration.

http://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d6...istration5.jpg

http://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d6...istration1.jpg

emccomas

Stated issued VIN?

MasterDave

I suppose, dunno really. The registration/title I got when I bought it has the correct vin # S54004545 on the title and these numbers match the frame stamp and vin tag. Maybe Calif. needed to put their own ID # on it also for some reason. Strange that the Calif DMV made the owner stamp their # on the frame along with the original vin.

jim lockwood

In Kalifornia, state assigned VINs begin (or used to begin) with DRF followed by 5 digits. My '60, an original Kalifornia car, has such a VIN.

The next question is why did Kalifornia think it necessary to issue a new VIN?

Jim

MasterDave

Dunno Jim, maybe like yours it's an original Kalifornia car?

YesA59

I googled the internet to find why CA DMV would assign a DRF code to a car. I did not find anything. Don't most state assigned VIN #s usually arise via an unhappy event? Maybe in the case of an early Corvette, however, you could receive a state assigned VIN just by losing the pink slip and the serial number tag. At that point, the DMV wouldn't have much to go on.

Russ

vettecityman53

Does your car have the original motor....and F54YG stamping? California used to title cars by the motor number, not the VIN number. If your car was missing the original block, depending on when this title was issued, then California may have issued a "replacement" VIN number due to having a non-original block. A friend of mine restored a 1954 here in Kentucky that came from California, a black plate car last titled in the late 1960's or early 1970's and it had the original block and the car's title was the motor number, blah-blah-blah-F54YG. It took him MONTHS to get Kentucky title under the VIN number based on the tag on the door. This might help you.....maybe???

MasterDave

Interesting. The short block is F54Z so I know it's been replaced. The numbers on the old Kali title do not match the engine #'s however. I'm not gonna worry about it, the Wa. title has the correct Vin # on it. Thanks for the ideas guys!

jim lockwood

When I got my '60 thirty years ago I called DMV in Sacramento to investigate the odd "DRF" VIN. I was told that "DRF" was the VIN prefix used for trailers.

Jim

Sean Dunshee

You may be on to something with the VIN being from a replacement engine...it appears to me that on your registration it says it had an 8 cylinder engine in it at that time possibly.

Sean Dunshee

It also appears that the registerer has passed away, he was born in Souix City, Iowa in 1928. His name is Hollis Burton Bouvia ...Bouvia was his last name. Here is a link to contact his wife (if shes still alive)

http://community.ancestry.com/profil...?cba=kalla1939


Hope that helps...

MasterDave

Well I posted a note to this person but being she hasn't been on this Ancestry site for 6 months isn't faith strenghtening. Wish I had a phone number. Also, for some reason I had not noticed the 8 cyl designation on the old registration, good eyes! The front coils were broken and I had some pieces of the original motor mounts in a box that I got with the car even though when I got it the correct engine mounts were installed. I also know that it at one time it was converted to a 12 volt system.

bouviahollis541@gmai

My DAD is the person that you are taking about, my name is Hollis Bouvia all so.If you still own it maybe I can answer your questions. My phone number is (360)228-8077,I live in Shelton,WA 98584.O was in highschool when he was putting it together.He bought a parts 54 Corvette with the 6cyl in it.Please call me I would like to you. If you have a hard time to get me on the phone,I live in a hard place to get phone calls Just text me and I'll call you Thank you.