VIN Number Problem 1956 Studebaker Commander

[noacronym]

I just purchased this car from Florida. I am in NC. In order to get a NC plate for it I have to go online and request and inspection. They ask for the VIN number. When I put in that number that's on the Florida title, it is "vot valid", and further attempts to complete the request arr halted. Dead end. I can see a number stamped on the driver's door post and there is another tag on the firewall. These 2 attachments are all I have. There is no number on the rearmost cross member as stated on another post on the forum. This is it. It's all I have. Any solutions? Thank you.

[Dick Steinkamp]

There was no standardized VIN (vehicle identification number) until 1981. The NC system may be looking for the standardized 17 digit VIN.

The number on the door post 8448381 is the serial number. It is hopefully the same number that is on the title. (the I and the end is Studebaker's way of stamping a 1).

If it is, you probably need to go to a NC DOL/DMV office and explain that you have an old car produced before the standardized VIN.

If it isn't the same, you have a bigger problem.

It may have been originally registered with the engine number. This was common when your car was produced. Check to see if the engine number is the same as the number on the title. Explain this to the DOL/DMV

It may have been registered with the engine number, but the engine may have been changed over the years.

The title your received for the car may not be the correct title for your car.

Good luck!

[noacronym]

Yes it is the correct title and the serial number matches. You don't explain ANYTHING to these people. You fill in a blank on a form on the computer screen. If the blank won't accept that and you call the office, they tell you to use the form on the computer. Complete vicious circle.

[swvalcon]

Kind of like when a friend of mind called to tell the phone company his computer wasn't working and showed he had no internet service. They told him he needed to go to such and such.com to fix his problem.

[Skip Lackie]

What Dick said -- an excellent summary. Every state has different regs and requirements for vehicle registration, so NC DMV requirements are the only ones that count. Here's how to ID a Stude V8 engine number: Studebaker-V-8-Engine-Identification.pdf (studebakerdriversclub.com)

[8E45E]

You can try to insert 10 zeros before the 8448381 as it will fill in all the character blanks on their computer, and a 50/50 chance it might work.

Craig

[studeclunker]

If I know there is going to be a problem, the first thing I ask to speak with a supervisor or the office manager. Kinda POs them. But once I get going, they understand and will usually forgive you for it. I run into the same problem in California. However, I also find that California is more flexible on titling cars (within limits) than what I have heard about most eastern states. Money will usually cure most problems here.

[Mark L]

When you figure out how to get past the data entry issue, you might want to keep a copy of this Studebaker drawing nearby when the car is inspected. They will, most likely, want to verify the serial number on the paper work matches what is on the car's data plate. If you enter an Arabic numeral 1, and the inspector sees the Roman numeral I on the door jamb, that person may start questioning you about the difference. Whip out the drawing and say, "This is how Studebaker did it."

[studeclunker]

Thank you for that!

[StudeRich]

Thanks Mark, that is VERY helpful if you run into an Unaware State Employee to Educate them !
That also clears up the "I" equals "One" issue.

[StudeRich]

AND, the 6 is NOT an b !

[StudeRich]

I have seen Titles for older Trailers that did not have the Required 17 Digits to qualify as a "VIN" and the Mfg. had added Zeros at the end.

[Guido]

Vehicle Identification Numbers follow an alpha numeric sequence, it may not accept a 0 in lieu of a letter.

[Son O Lark]

You will actually have to visit the bureau. Not fun, but somebody in North Carolina has a licensed Studebaker so they are in the system.

[altair]

Here in B.C., some time ago the DMV discontinued all the vintage, collector and classic files and amalgamated them in the general files and issued everybody with a 7 digit number. Originally my stude used the engine number and my model T used the body number.

[rockne10]

Order the Production Order for your car from the National Museum using the Serial number you have.
Take it and the car to your authorities and make them see it.
You can also check with an antique auto owner in your area and see how they accomplished it.

[noacronym]

I finally got my NC plate. It took a trip down (in the unplated car in question) to the NCDMV for an inspection by a highway patrolman, then a few hoops to jump trough, and then an indemnity bond from an insurance carrier. Then 600 and some-odd bucks at the NC license tag office, and I go the plate. Now that car has a $250 a year insurance premium from some company called Hagerty. All in all I would have much preferred having a root canal.

[StudeRich]

WOW ! And I thought the Washington State Dept. of Licensing were the Largest Crooks in the Country, NC has us beat for sure!
Really; an "Indemnity Bond" ! WHAT THE ! @#$%&^(%$# !

[rockne10]

I've had a root canal, and you are probably correct.