tracdogg2

I purchased a frame and suspension from Lavetteman last week. But I didn't buy the body. I emailed him for the title but he said it goes with the body not the frame. I've explained to him that it is the frame that is titled not the body. When a car is suspected stolen the officers check the serial number on the frame regardless of what the vin tag says. Vin tags are easily changed. I feel I should get the title. What is everyone else's opinion?

Mike

LFZ

i would think that title would go with the body..just my opinion. i didn't know that they check the numbers on a frame for stolen vehicles. where is that number located?

74 vert

Wouldn't a bill of sale work only for the frame? I'd just keep the bill of sale just in case something unforeseen happened.

OHSIXX

For what it is worth, I think the title should go with the frame.

76Frankenstein

Title requirements vary from state to state. Some attach title to body, some to frame. It may be possible that you are both correct. Check with your DMV on the requirements where you live. You may be able to purchase a title for your frame by submitting the VIN info to your DMV.

JB

I think what you've run in to is a dicey area of the law. I don't know anything more about it that they rest of the folks who've responded so far, but I expect to keep things perfectly legal, both of you would have to retitle whatever car you built from the body or the frame as salvaged. Practically speaking, people buy frames all the time and put them in their bodies and don't ever bother because who'd know the difference & it would really lower the car's value.

Also just speaking practically, I think LAvetteman's right--he should keep the title. If you put that frame into your car, no one but no one is ever going to check the frame numbers, as they are almost completely inaccessible with the body on (I've even see a frame with only relatively light rust where the numbers were completely illegible). So if he keeps the title, both of you ought to be cool. If you get it, he's stuck with trying to get a salvage title for his car.

JB

Rolling Thunder

:iagree: with JB. This is also a matter that should have been discussed prior to the purchase. If you "needed" a title, you should have made that clear up front. Titles seldom transfer with a "parts" purchase.

Just my .02

norvalwilhelm

Where I live the title always goes with the BODY except for snowmobiles where is goes with the tunnel.
The plate under the windshield is where the police check the serial number. Good luck trying to find one on my frame.

Scooter70

:iagree: We've sold a bunch of rolling chassis and never did the title go with it. It always stayed with the body.

Paul L

The VIN on the windshield pillar is what is checked. The frame VIN is on the top of the kickup, driver's side, rear, behind tire/wheel and basically inaccessible. I have not been able to see mine. I doubt that Police Officers would do a body-off to get at it.

79VetteMike

I've never known there to be a serial number on a frame, but if you can find one, then you might have an arguement. The VIN is on the body and that is the same number that is used on the title.

JB

There is a VIN number on every C3 frame (every C2, too, and probably the other model years, too, but I don't know). As Paul67 said, it's on the top of the fram kickup. You can see if with a dentist's mirror and a lot of effort, or I've heard of people using pencil and paper to get a rubbing of the number (though I would think that'd be damned hard to do, because you'd have to get the pencil, paper, and your hand up in there).

JB


[Modified by JB, 4:20 PM 10/12/2003]

redwingvette

When I had my body off I tried to find the Vin# but it was not to be seen by the human eye. It is suppose to be right in front of the rear wheel kick up. under the drivers seat area. I have seen it on other frames but I can't see how you would be able to see it with the body on it.

Bob K

I would think that the title would go with the body. I sold the frame to another forum member, and I never got one when I purchased to give to him.

Based on how many frames are replaced on C3's, changing titles because you swapped the frame would cause havoc for many onwers.

Bob K.

79VetteMike

Are you missing a title? For what it's worth, I am considering changing frames in the future and I'd want my title to stay the same as what's easily readable as the VIN on the body of the car.

markdtn

I say the title should go with the body. I would want a bill of sale and a copy of the title if there was ever any problem, but I think the title should stay with the body.

NHvette

Technically, the frame is titled - but the body tag is always used for ID.
I wouldn't sweat the lack of title for a frame, unless you NEED that VIN #
for some reason: change of year (like me), replacing a salvage title #, or
covering up a stolen body.

:seeya

Fevre

:iagree: Also like the idea of the bill of sale stating you are buying the frame with the VIN number stated. Might have him send you a photo copy of the title just to prove he has it.