That old of a vehicle will be titled by the original engine #. If you are fortunate and have the original engine then it can be retitled by that #. There may be a frame 3 but on something that old it probably does not have anything to do with the Vin.
any idea when it was last registered or titled. If it was recent the owner can go and request a duplicate title. Since it probably wasn't recent you will have to go through a bond title process at a minimum.
The bond title process involves several steps. If you go to the DMV where you get license plates they have checklists on the steps involved.
It involves getting the vehicle running. Do this as cheaply as possible because you will have to have an appraisal done on the vehicle. The appraisal will determine the amount of the bond. The bond is required to be for twice the appraised value or $400.00 whichever is more. So get it running and all equipment working for that era of vehicle. ie headlights, taillight, horn, signals if it had them, good glass, roadworthy tires, brakes, including parking brake. If you are lucky enough to have the original engine make it run so they can use the vin # off of it. Then you can contact your local Police Department, Sheriffs Office, or State Patrol. You will need a Certified Vin Inspection. There is a $20.00 fee for the inspection. Have a bill of sale and any other supporting documents you can come up with. The State Patrol does the inspections at Camp George West in Golden near the Colorado School of mines. A contact # for the State Patrol is 303-239-4545 you will probably get a recording that will talk about how to get an inspection.
After the Certified Vin then you will have to request a record on the vin # through the DMV and if they come back with a record you have to send a notice to any listed owners concerning the vehicle. You obtain the appraisal and post a bond through a bonding agent. Most insurance agents are bonding agents. A bond is just like bonding someone out of jail. If the bond is for say $4000.00 you give a percentage of that amount in cash. Once you follow all the steps you will end up with a title that can not be taken away. If a previous owner comes forward they get the bond amount instead of the vehicle.
If you cannot locate a good vin then you will have to obtain an assigned ID #. This involves a few more steps. The DMV has a checklist on this also. Same steps as first one but after about 2 to 3 months following the Certified Vin inspection you will be contacted by an inspector that will come out and affix the assigned ID # to the vehicle. The title you obtain will have that Vin # on it.
Good luck. Feel free to pm me with any more questions about the process.
