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View Full Version : How exactly do you title a swap?

MercMan1951
10-23-2003, 06:52 PM
OK, I'm primarily targeting guys on here that have done full frame swaps to their rides...my question:

Do you title it using the chassis you used, or do you title it as what it is? My delemma, I have a title for the '51 Merc, and I have a title for the '87 T/C that it now sits on. Does it get titled as the '51 or the '87? http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/confused.gif

Thanks-
Steve
10-23-2003, 06:55 PM
I've never done it, and I think it depends on what state your in, but I believe you could register it as either. If you could I'd register it as the 51
Scott B
10-23-2003, 07:23 PM
Just point to the old VIN, when registering it. Hide evidence of the new one. That way when the smog law comes, you are exempt...
CharlieLed
10-23-2003, 07:33 PM
If it were me I would title the car with the body, no one really cares what's under the skin. If it "looks" like a Merc, then it's a Merc. You have an easy choice, it's the guys building cars from scratch that have a hard time getting titles...
MercMan1951
10-23-2003, 07:33 PM
Ah....right...hadn't thought of that. We used to have annual emissions testing in MI, but that stopped some time about 10 years ago...I'll probably go with the '51. You're absolutley right! http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif
jdubbya
10-23-2003, 07:38 PM
Quite a few guys around Flint use s-10 frames and title it as the body without a problem.
Fat Hack
10-23-2003, 08:30 PM
Yeah, register the car using the title for the body in Michigan (and probably everywhere else!). Keep the title for your donor chassis and pass it along to the new owner when/if you sell, but don't use it for registration purposes. Transfer the second title into your name and keep it with the title for the body.

That's how I did my old 4x4 conversions. My ElCamino was on a 1970 Chevy 4x4 frame, and my Camaro was on a 1975 Blazer frame. Bothe were registered as an El Camino and as a Camaro respectively, but I kept the titles for the frames with the "body" titles.

You go with what the car LOOKS like, in other words. Even if you just drop the outter shell of your old car onto a newer chassis, register it with the title for the body. That way, when some cop runs your plate number and it comes back as a 1987 Lincoln, you won't be subjected to needless roadside interrogation (if you used the chassis title...use the body title and he'll get 1951 Mercury and all will be cool since that's what it LOOKS like!)

I'll have to do this again with my latest deal as well, old body on newer chassis!
choprods
10-23-2003, 08:59 PM
Definitely go with the old vehicle as a registration starting point.
beatnik
10-23-2003, 09:03 PM
Yea, definately go with title from the 51. Plates will be much cheaper and if you ever get pulled over they wont look at it and freak out on you about trying to pass it off as a late model Town Car.
lefturn
10-23-2003, 10:24 PM
In canada we register the car as the 49 merc or whatever. saves on inspections and costly insurance. ------ray
SKR8PN
10-23-2003, 10:29 PM
My 1938 has a completely new frame and it IS titled as a "1938 DODGE TRUCK"......MY serial #'s are on the BODY,not the frame............get it?????? http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif