Transferring title/registration to California for a restored outa state car
 

I’m really interested in a car from Washington. During restoration the cowl was replaced and the VIN tag/plate was not reinstalled to the new cowl. Seller still has the cowl tag though. Will this be a problem to transfer/register here in California?

I believe that if the vin has been removed the DMV will want to re-tag the car. However many restorations require the vin to be removed, so they remove it and reinstall it with the correct rivets. Technically this could be an issue and possibly illegal. You will want to confirm that it is the correct vin tag for the car, and to make sure you’re not putting a clear vin tag on a stolen car. If that were the case it would be big trouble. I would also look into other areas of the vehicle that may have a vin stamp (possibly on chassis, somebody here will know this answer depending on what type of car) that way the vin can be cross referenced to the vehicle. If the chassis, or other part have the correct vin it will be easier to prove your tag is correct for the car.

I have pics of the entire build up. Can clearly see the rusted cowl section where the VIN tag came from. Seller will reinstall it on the new cowl section factory location with the correct rivets and match the paint.

Huge crap shoot imho. Depends heavily on the state and the state of mind of the person at the DMV etc you are dealing with....

Don

This exactly Don! Hopefully a cool person.

Vin tag
 

You also have to have two vin numbers on
the vehicle in California in order to register
the car. They will impound or crush the car
if only one If any thing is different Dmv will
not approve It will require a trip to Chp for
their inspection. My truck's frame number did
not have the Ck10 at the begining as the tag
so they sent me to Chp as they did not want to
be responsible. Dmv is useless Your paperwork
Has to match exactly or it will be a problem

Bob

What happened when you took it to CHP?
Would you say there would be an issue with these tags riveted back on and painted like factory?
https://i.vgy.me/uXaTpw.jpg
https://i.vgy.me/EWar7Z.jpg

Are you talking about the the actual VIN tag that was removed or the cowl tag? They are two different things. You do not need a cowl tag on the vehicle to get the California title. You are over thinking this and listening to too many horror stories about your vehicle being confiscated.

It’s not like anythings stolen or reported stolen right

That’s the issue. If the engine VIN doesn’t match the dash VIN and the rivets are not the correct original rivets the assumption is that something is wrong. I’ve seen cars with non matching engine VINs impounded here in Texas when they go for a VIN inspection. I’ve also seen them pass no problem. It’s a gamble...

Why didn’t the seller reattach the VIN tag on the dash?

If you are worrying about the cowl tag in the second pic that is completely irrelevant to the title transfer process. It just details the paint code etc.

Don