Non Existent VIN 1977

[TSmith1941]

I have a 1977 Chevy that was last titled in 3/27/1986. The VIN reads 1D8DU7D483780

I picked up this truck mostly for the cab to switch to my 1978 Chevy K20, but running into slight issues with the VIN.

Any insight would be greatly appreciated,

thank you!

 

[DoubleDingo]

I have a 1977 Chevy that was last titled in 3/27/1986. The VIN reads 1D8DU7D483780

I picked up this truck mostly for the cab to switch to my 1978 Chevy K20, but running into slight issues with the VIN.

Any insight would be greatly appreciated,

thank you!

That number looks like what you'd find stamped on the flat pad on the front of the engine?

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[DanMcG]

That's not a vin number, do you have a pic of it?

 

[75gmck25]

VIN numbers were standardized in 1981, so prior to that there were variations.

It seems that the DMV let someone use that number as a VIN without realizing it was the wrong format for a 1977 Chevy VIN. Its formatted more like an engine block ID or parts number than a VIN.

There should be a metal plate in the driver's side door frame that has the VIN.

Bruce

 

[TSmith1941]

Thank you guys, truthfully I was really just looking for a title for my 78, not how I wanted to start out my first post here. Heres a picture though of the 77 title

Story on my 78,

78 was a plow truck for a company back in the 80/90s

The guy I bought it from lost the paperwork/ never got around to it as he mostly used it around his property (50Acres). As bad as it sounds, he said he never bothered with the title because he'd just switch plates back and fourth as he was out in the country. A month or so after he bought the truck the business went bankrupt and the owner died. 78 has a clean VIN no liens, never reported stolen etc. My father ended up buying it (switching plates too of course...) and had some minor issues with it, so it mostly puttered around until two motors later and one transmission with a shift kit later, it ended up with me.

Just curious if you guys think Im on the right track switchin cabs. I live in NY so its kind of a nightmare with titles. Sorry if I'm slightly getting off track, but I was hoping to fix the situation with the 77 title.

** Note I don't ever plan on selling the truck, but running out of options here, would appreciate your guys advice since I'm sure this is the 18 millionth thread you've seen with "bad title help".

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[RecklessWOT]

If you register it with the title you have, chances are nobody will notice. If you're that worried that someone can compare the VINs (vehicles from the 70s and earlier were just serialized, the standard 17 digit "VIN" did not show up till 1980) it would probably be easy enough just to throw your dash and ID plate in, cut/weld the stamping in the body if you're really worried. It's not stolen, worst case scenario someone notices just say you bought it that way and it's never been a problem the whole time you had it.

 

[DoubleDingo]

Interesting. I know nothing about title issues, but I know some on here can chime in on the subject. I hope get this resolved without too much trouble.

 

[Turbo4whl]

The serial number plate on both trucks would have been on the door jam as stated. If is missing there are several other places to look. Most squares have the serial number stamped on the top of the frame on the passenger side under the cab. Since you plan to swap cabs you should be able to find both VIN's there.

Use a hand wire brush to locate the number, no power tool.

Here is a chart with VIN codes:

https://www.genuinegmparts.com/resources/vin-lookup

 

[DanMcG]

I'm stumped, I was thinking it looked like Dodge vin but that didn't work when I tried to run it.

Is the tag still on the door jam?

I'm in NY with vin issues too, so I feel your pain.

 

[Brett Graves]

I have a 1977 Chevy that was last titled in 3/27/1986. The VIN reads 1D8DU7D483780

I picked up this truck mostly for the cab to switch to my 1978 Chevy K20, but running into slight issues with the VIN.

Any insight would be greatly appreciated,

thank you!

This VIN is actually for a General Motors car from the late 1970's, not a truck.

 

[Doublenaughtspy]

I disagree with RecklessWOT's comment; his suggest is NOT the worst that can happen. The worst is you could find yourself being accused of operating a chopshop. Not sure of the laws in your state, but if you are found to be swapping VINs in GA without going thru the legal nightmare of state government, you will be facing a felony. Friends with racecars have faced the same problems. Check into a bonded title for the vehicle you plan to end up with, but cutting and swapping a VIN could put you in a bad spot.

 

[Keith Seymore]

This VIN is actually for a General Motors car from the late 1970's, not a truck.

Agree.

Looks like a 1977 Olds Starfire with a 305 cu in engine, built in Doraville, to me.

That's not a truck VIN (or a truck final assembly location).

K

 

[TSmith1941]

Just want to thank everyone for your replies,

The 77 has no door labels or much for VINs anywhere so I'm starting to think its a cobbled mess. The 78, of course, has all its tags which matches the truck to a T.

After closer inspection of the VIN in the dash, someone did the old hot candle wax trick with dirt to cover it.

Again, thank you all for the responses.

On a side note,

@DanMcG

Fellow New Yorker! I learned you can't use the excuse (even if its true), of saying the property went up for taxes, and the next owner sold the truck to me. I bought a 1995 F350 Crew Cab Long bed only to get slapped in the face with "You need to call the state police for an abandoned vehicle, you don't own that vehicle."

New York sucks with titles...

 

[Reinovator]

the 1977 and older Vin tag is located below the Drivers Striker of the cab door opening ( GVW tag /axle tag etc). In 1978 they started to to go with the drivers windshield dashboard vin # only, I have seen both locations in 1978 all of my 79's and up were on the dash, (my experience)

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[Reinovator]

the 1977 and older Vin tag is located below the Drivers Striker of the cab door opening ( GVW tag /axle tag etc). In 1978 they started to to go with the drivers windshield dashboard vin # only, I have seen both locations in 1978 all of my 79's and up were on the dash, (my experience)

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on a side note the example I showed is a GMC I can't say when GMC and Chev truck divisions became the same except for lables