jurgen,
D.M.V is the department of motor vehicles. if the car has a dmv serial
number plate on it that indicates a number of things. any one could be the
reason for a state issued new vehicle identification number.
1. the car might be constructed from more than 1 car's components. legally
in most cases this requires the state to issue a new serial number to
certify the car to be returned to service again. this is usually done when
a car has been in a colision and has been reconstructed.
2. a car has been scrapped. as in sent to a salvage yard and the car's
title has been marked by authorities as "junk". then also a reconstructed
status will aply.
3. the original title or serial number plate has been lost or so badly
damaged as to render illegible. this also will require a state to issue new
identification.
4. a theft reposession or vehicle purchased from a unclaimed vehicle towing
facility. once again these cars come with a bill of sale but frequently no
title . again this requires the processing of proper paper work (not
exactly the same in each state) to get the vehicle legally on the road again
and issuing matching credentials(a title and matching serial number plate)
is one of the steps.
you posess the title and serial number plate with matching identification
numbers. there is little doubt you have a real state issued vehicle
identification number. as to finding out the original number of your car?
as stated earlier each state is a bit difrent in their handling of these
matters. you can attemptto contact the issuing state's DMV and request the
information. BUT, do not be suprised if you do not get any further than you
are right now. on the other hand you might get lucky and getthe answer you
are looking for. i have had nothing but problems here in the state of
pennsylvania with this kind of stuff. if you get a car with no title or a
salvage title and wish to restore the car here you will end up with a
reissued VIN status with a new number unrelated to the car. that (as far as
restoring the car goes) ruins the cars numerical history in relation to the
rest of the cars (like it) that were made and in some cases excludes the car
from being shown in competition with various vintage car groups and clubs.
(certain clubs do not recognise a reissued VIN plate as a real car, but
rather as a fabricated car and no longer a true representaion of a
production car but rather a custom fabrication, usually the "most desirable"
colors and engine combinations end up on / in these cars as they no longer
have their serial numbers to prove their true ancestory.) .
so with all this said, i wish you the best of luck in your quest
chuck.
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/// (If they are dupes, this trailer may also catch them.)
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