Title For A 1937 LaSalle

[carlhungness]

I am awaiting the arrival of a 1937 LaSalle Opera Coupe I drove through college and beyond, to the tune of 110,000 miles. A well to do man gave me the car, but never gave me the title, so I used renewed his registration for years. He passed away. The original engine is long gone and it is my understanding the VIN number was on the engine, possibly the last year to do so. Thus, any BMV search to be done on the car has to have a VIN number. Any suggestions out there as how to obtain a title for this car?

[Bob Hoffmann CLC#96]

Carl,
What state do you want to title it in?
Bob

[carlhungness]

Indiana. I think the best I am going to be able to accomplish is a Bill of Sale from the man's daughter, and I'm not certain how I'd word it right now. Thus far I've ascertained I shall have to go before a circuit court and present my paperwork, which is nil at the moment.

[Bob Hoffmann CLC#96]

Contact me directly at bobscads@comcast.net. I'll give you my advice.
Bob

[Steve Passmore]

You can work out the engine number by having the chassis number which is on the top of the chassis just behind the steering box. The letter at the start of the number takes the place of numbers that were on the engine. I can tell you what these number should be.

[Bob Hoffmann CLC#96]

Steve,
You are, of course correct. I understand he has registration cards showing the correct VIN. So, what you show him is a way to verify that.
Bob

[carlhungness]

The car will arrive in late September and I'll look at the frame numbers and get back to you. I do not have the registration paperwork, although there's an outside chance it may be in the glove box and the car has been stored for the past 15-18 years.

[Bob Hoffmann CLC#96]

Let's discuss it then.

[carlhungness]

Thanks, will do.

[gary griffin]

I do not know if it is still possible but it used to be a car could be registered
, titled by mail in one of the rust belt states.  AS I recall it was Mainly titles for about $125 and Broadway titles.  Some states have registration only on cars over a certain age and will issue Registration which is (or was?) accepted as title by other states,

[Barry M Wheeler #2189]

Carl, Indiana DMV has a site to go to that should give you all the requirements that you need. Best of luck. BW

[carlhungness]

You need a VIN, which I currently don't have, but will seek of course. Plus, I may have to petition the court. It may be a long process.

[gkhashem]

Go to this site and spend the $ 10.00 for a title search, never buy a car without being able to get a title or the legal substitute for it depending on the state.

https://www.vinaudit.com/?gclid=EAIaIQobChMImvn1mdyL3QIVCtbACh1wUwBvEAAYASAAEgKpdfD_BwE

In live in NH and I do not need a title for an older car, but some state require one. Even now in NH a car built since 2000 now needs a title forever.

So you say you do not need one, so what's the big deal. Well there could be two issues.

Try selling the car to a buyer in a state that needs a title. Guess what if he is stupid enough to buy it then take the money and run.

Also in NH I was able to get an antique title for a car over 25 years old. Well I cannot if there is an active title out there somewhere.

If there is and I try to get an antique title, I must get the title and turn it in or I would no be able to register the car in the coming year. I would be better off not trying to get a title, but then again try selling it to a buyer who may need one.

So the states seems to being tightening the ability to get a title and they check a database in search of one. Plus why not do the search and have some piece of mind for $10.00?

[gkhashem]

Just checked price is now  $12.99, but still worth it.

[carlhungness]

I will have to get the car back to Indiana, check the frame number and then hopefully come up with a VIN before I can do any type of search.

[DaveZ]

Hi  there,
    I bought a 37 from a gen in Indiana and the DMV was very accommodating helping me straighten out the title. As Steve has stated the numbers on the frame are coded to the VIN number on the engine. Indiana uses the VIN number on the title which is not the same as what is on the frame.  Vin # is 2259492 Frame is 2B29492. Just an FYI if the engine has been changed. They took the second number of the vin and replaced with with alphabetical; 2=B and third digit you would add three to get the vin. Last four are the same.
Dave

[carlhungness]

I'll have the car in about 2-3 weeks and will then proceed, but I'm sure it last had a Colorado title and the man who gave it to me is dead, so I will probably have to contact one of his heirs and go to court. It is not going to be an easy trick.